Education + Hard Work = Success.
I've always worked during school. Multiple jobs during high school, college, and law school. Diplomas, degrees, and licenses provide a foundation, but working in a relevant field helps you make connections, prove yourself and understand how to apply what you have learned. Plus, it's the only way to really know if you will like what you are studying.
I have dual majors from a UC, JD from a private law school, Admitted to the State Bar, Series 7 Securities license, Real Estate Broker's license, advanced certifications in various areas, but they would mean nothing without relevant work experience. I've been able to reach goals in various industries, and have always pursued my career goals with dedication and hard work.
Every job that you do, if you work hard at it and put in 100%, will provide you with experience and resources that you will use in every other career.
When I was 20 years old, I was driving a VW Rabbit GTI that I bought used and drove for a decade, through high school, college and law school. We used to drool over the Ducati motorcycles we would see, and think, "someday..."
Well, I never would have dreamed I would own a supercar, and this is my first, almost a couple decades later from that GTI. But if you are focused and work hard, the world is yours.
Also, I am a partner now, so its not just what you do, but the structure / organization that you do it in, can facilitate realizing your rewards. Are you making money for yourself, or making money for someone else...I've worked in non-profits, government, private, etc., but there is a lot to be said for having an equity interest in the business.
And always treat everyone you work with well. People around me, have helped me, in ways that I would have never expected. I've been thankful for that. Help others when you can, it will pay off. Occasionally, some one will take advantage, but you will also benefit most of the time from just being a decent person.
Learn what you can about investments and saving. When students were signing their lives away to buy things like $3,000 laptops in law school, I was using an outdated used $400 laptop that was a brick and I always had roommates, in average accomodations. I figured every dollar I borrowed in law school, I'd have to repay twofold, so I kept the loans minimal (If $45K is minimal, although I knew most had double that amount). Of course, there is a balance, you have to live too, but if you set realistic goals, and have a strategy to accomplish them, you should have no problem.
