LIFE AIN'T FAIR, KID...


Clint Eastwood spoke those few words to the young Hmong actor in the film: Gran Torino.

Clint nailed it.  But what does the young student do with that excellent piece of advice?  Give up before you get started?  Many go down that road, for sure.  I hope that someone connects with the teenager at a loss for what to pursue, if anything.  I hope teachers give some students some follow-up pearls of wisdom to Clint's remark.  And Clint is absolutely 100% spot-on correct.

What would I like to convey to the young mind?  It would be great to get to them in 6th grade, when they begin the hell of middle school.

1.  Get in honors classes, as many as you can.  You will be surrounded by kids going someplace with their lives.  No, not all, probably half of them.  Play the school game, earn grades, and socialize--yep, with the geeks, nerds, unattractive kids, etc.

2.  If you did number one, you're in great shape for high school and life.  Good work.  I know it wasn't easy.

3.  Take every school class that you can on the subject of computer programming, networking, problem solving, and high-level mathematics.  Frequently, every week or more, get together a computer group at school, somebody's house-where a parent is present-and teach each other your programming skills.  Girls!  We need you, also!

4.  During the beginning of your Junior year and through the end, contact colleges and ask for catalogs, information, financial assistance, room & board, etc.  It is your responsibility to get your parents to fill in the FAFSA financial aid form early!  Do not rely on advisors and career counselors in high school, junior college, college.  You will know more than they.

5.  My last point: Select an area of study where there will be plenty of jobs that need to be filled.  Also, select a field in which these plentiful jobs pay very well!  You can work hard and earn $14/hour or you can work hard and earn $250,000/year.  Your choice.  Really!  Here's a statistic to drive that point home: the median salary at Amazon is $14.75/hour while the median salary at Facebook is $247,000/year.  Let that disparity be your guide.  Study the right thing-programming-and have a better life.