u/Nystahhhh

I'm 19 and work full-time while going to college.

Here's where I'm at:

- Income: $23/hour (about $48,000/year before overtime)

- Savings: $12,000

- 401(k) through employer: $5,000

- Roth IRA: $650 (started 3 months ago, contributing $200/month)

- Individual stocks: $1,500 (started with $1,000 the day I turned 18. This is just my "fun money" to learn about investing. But hey, 50% return.)

- Credit score: 720 (was around 780 before applying for the Amex Gold, but my credit history is still very thin. I started with DiscoverIt Student Card)

- Debt: $0

- Going to college debt-free

I come from what I would consider financially illiterate parents, so I've kind of had to carve my own path. I'm also the oldest child, so I don't really have anyone in my family to compare myself to or ask for guidance.

I know this might sound like I'm looking for validation, and honestly, I probably am a little. But I'm also genuinely wondering:

- Am I doing too much at 19?

- Is there anything I'm overlooking?

- If you were in my position, what would you prioritize over the next 5-10 years?

- Is there anything else I should be doing now to set myself up for the future?

I'd appreciate any advice or constructive criticism. Throw it at me.

I am a first-generation college student and do not know anyone personally in IT, so I’m looking for some guidance from those who know what they are talking about.

I’m 19, work full-time at a large manufacturer (Production Associate: $22/hour), and am using their tuition reimbursement to earn a BS in Cloud and Network Engineering at WGU. Debt free. I am close to halfway through.

I currently hold CompTIA A+, Network+, ITIL 4 Foundation, and LPI Linux Essentials.

My employer has internships and carrer advancements since they prefer hiring internally. I have seen several other openings but never for IT, so I am feeling less optomistic about this route as it was my initial plan.

Slighty irrevelent (or not), I also placed 1st in Utah FBLA State Network Design and received a WGU Excellence Award for a cloud presentation teaching AWS.

Right now I’m trying to figure out the best way to land my first IT job.

If you were in my position, what would you focus on next?

I’d appreciate any advice. Since I’m the first in my family to go down this path (even the college path), I’m trying to learn from people who have already done it.