23 yr old male, bout to turn 24 in 4 months
Was undecided major in university, took a ton of gen ed and math courses. Decided to do Computer Science, got screwed over with AI I think?
Wanted to to in school transfer but never took Physics and Calc in high school
Didn't meet admission requirements, university gave me hope to do transfer by taking high school courses in university.
Acquired a ton of courses, eventually hit 22 realized I don't even know what the hell I was doing anymore
Developed a gambling addiction (very cliché)
Starting reading books to rebuild myself
Quit gambling, and stopped mindlessly going about life.
Went to college for a Welding Certificate while working part time jobs to get myself out of debt
Going to college for another year to do Millwright certificate in 4 months from now as millwrights also weld and skills may transfer over.
Working a part time night job to build savings, and learning physics/doing a online hs prerequisite gr 12 course during the day out of genuine curiosity and feel like there is more to life if I just give it a chance.
Stopped talking to friends because we are all growing up and life is taking us to other places. Some are uni graduates, some are working full-time, some have developed serious substance abuse to cope, some have died in stupid accidents.
Have learned that through hard work and dedication anything is possible, realization sank in when I read all 7 Harry Potter books at 22 as I've never done something so selfless like that before. Truly experiencing delayed gratification and no deadline pressure, and having pure curiosity was a very liberating moment for me.
Due to years of neglecting myself, and the people around me not giving me the support I wish I had, I currently feel as if the progress I am making is always being nullified.
Due to AI maybe taking most jobs, and working in crappy warehouse jobs most of my life. And also feeling so behind in my life. And understanding the importance of compound interest. And needing income to start taking care of myself properly this time.
Engineering seems very much so worthwhile, but also I understand school is a business, and I haven't had a proper job yet this almost feels inevitable.
Time is not on my side right now, if I plan to do more schooling, it'll be another four years. Mechanical or Electrical. But I don't even know if I'm doing because I want to or because of prestige. Idk if I would enjoy the abstract thinking when finances, parental pressure, and life constantly weighting down on me like that. I would be 27 If I do go down this route and 7 years of compound interest lost. But then again, increasing active income is the main priority here.
I got a 96 in math in hs, and not saying as bragging, but I see the people in trades talk about the work and the people in it as low-life scumbags, good for nothing people with no other choice but the skilled trades. However, in the age of AI, it seems like status bias is a thing of the past. And swallowing pride seems to be the smart thing to do. And now I'm thinking maybe I just become a plumber, but I'm not sure if I can justify a job that doesn't push me or give me some sort of existentialism?
Advice needed.