Set your goals and stick to them. Don’t let anyone knock your hustle.

You can find a video of this at the bottom of the page.

At my last school, we had a couple days throughout the year where universities would stop by to recruit students. I would visit different tables, looking for schools offering computer science degrees. I used it as a chance to narrow down my choice for my four-year degree.

Housing options, campus activities, work study, these were the things I was interested in. Most of the college reps were helpful, but there was one who really stood out.

I stopped by the table for an honors university. Some fancy school with high GPA requirements and…well that’s it. Just another honors school.

I asked the representative about work study opportunities on campus…and he frowned at me. He asked me “Why would you want to work while you’re in school?”

For the uninitiated, work study programs are part-time jobs on campus for students. They give students an opportunity to earn money while working for their school. Jobs range from administrative work to tutoring and so on.

It’s a good chance to meet faculty members in your field and gain mentorship from professionals in your field. And this recruiter laughed in my face for asking about it.

I explained that I’m looking to earn income while I study. I didn’t have much saved and a work study program would help pay for school and living costs. But he didn’t care. To paraphrase this guy, “school is about taking classes and getting good grades”.

I felt like if I explained my financial situation, he would understand I was looking to make some money and pay my way through school. Maybe he might change his perspective.

Some people don’t value being a self-starter. In life, you’ll meet people with their own way of doing things.

I don’t judge people for their plans. It’s tough figuring out what you’re going to do with your life. If anything, recent times have showed us that things can change at a moment’s notice.

That recruiter was a jerk. He probably thought a mountain of debt was the only way to go through life. Instead of giving me information to decide on my next school, he tried to look down on me because our plans were different.

Or maybe he was jealous of my work ethic. Most kids go to school in order to find work later. I work now to build a better future and go to school at my own pace.

If a recruiter said something like that now? I’d turn about face and walk off. My goal is to learn what to do next.

If someone is looking down on you they aren’t worth your time. They could have all the keys to the kingdom. But if they’re going to look down their nose at you? Walk away and look for help elsewhere.

For more on this, watch the YouTube video below.

Join the mailing list to see updates like this every week!
Coding Fanatic