There is More to Success Than a College Diploma

In college I thought that obtaining a college degree was more about freedom than anything else. The freedom to choose your career path and have doors open for you. Since graduation I have realized that freedom does not come through obtaining a diploma, but from being a creative thinker, and being able to think outside the box and hustle your talents, so to speak.

What exactly does that mean? I, like many others, was under the false illusion that obtaining a college degree would magically open doors, would influence employers to hire me, and all would be great in the world. Reality: Success is realized through persistent effort and creative thinking.

If you're in high school or college at this moment, use this time wisely to assess your talents and skills and use them to work for you. To help you earn money starting now, while you have no dependents or real financial obligations. Don't just let your learning be inside the four walls of a classroom, but let it be real life experiences that are shaped by your interests and passions.

A few ideas:

Start a Business

The founders of Facebook and Wordpress both started their businesses/websites while in their teens/early twenties. Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart has her own party planning and motivational speaking company, and she developed a program, Inside/Out, that teaches young ladies about self-esteem. There are many other teens that have started stationery businesses, computer based businesses, etc. I have a cousin who started a very profitable cookie company when he was only 13.

Blogs/Websites

There are numerous blogs out there, touching on a wide range of topics. If you are interested in writing, start a blog and work on monetizing your blog. The business skills and discipline gained from earning steady income through a blog not only puts money in your account, but can look great while in an interview. You show that you know how to create and build something, and attract readers to something that you are passionate about.

Internships

If you have an idea of what you want to do, make sure that you try to secure at least one internship while in college to gain experience in the field that you want to work in. Build relationships with as many people who are in positions that you want as possible. Network and do an excellent job while working. Your efforts will pay off.

All in all, make these years of your youth truly count. Don't sit passively by and think that success is simply right around the corner just because you will be earning a diploma. Instead, use creative thinking and harness your talents and passions into a profitable endeavor that can help you build a brighter future for yourself. How you use your mind and choose your actions are what determine your destiny.