actually i would think most organizations are giving practicals now... we got burned with a "cert baby" and being govt have to live with our mistakes. Now we give practicals and it is amazing how some who interview great and have all of the paper trail cannot get past some basic realtime excercises. Usually the person who we end up hiring does not stand out initially, but on the practical shines...
Hmmm.Decisions that will effect one's future in life? Actually I have found the posts here really interesting as they reflect the split between the cynics who feel it is "all for nothing, we are just cogs in the machine" and those practical optimists who beleive "life counts". I am in the latter camp. But I really would have liked to read your original post.
I wonder what might have happened if I had asked the same questions at your age. I came from a high school of 600 where I was perceived as you are and went to a college of 20,000 where I was just average. Couldn't get over it and eventually dropped out. Traveled, started sailing, went all over and learned a lot. Except I kept running from responsibility. I had no discipline but could learn anything I became really interested in, unless it was too difficult and then I rationilzed that it wasn't that interesting. I have read a lot of the posts on here and as with everything in life there is both some fine wisdom and some real BS here. Be careful to not choose those posts that are what you "want to hear". At age 38 (10 years ago) I realized I was an alcoholic. Best thing that ever happened to me as it finally taught me humility, perserverance and tenacity, as well as the ability to reach out to others for help. Now, ten years later I feel I am a fairly competent sys-admin in a large organization. Still love to sail. You have your life ahead, don't follow the cynicism expressed by the more arrogant minds on here, that is a waste. Remember, imagination is more valuable than intelligence.
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actually i would think most organizations are giving practicals now... we got burned with a "cert baby" and being govt have to live with our mistakes. Now we give practicals and it is amazing how some who interview great and have all of the paper trail cannot get past some basic realtime excercises. Usually the person who we end up hiring does not stand out initially, but on the practical shines...
Hmmm.Decisions that will effect one's future in life? Actually I have found the posts here really interesting as they reflect the split between the cynics who feel it is "all for nothing, we are just cogs in the machine" and those practical optimists who beleive "life counts". I am in the latter camp. But I really would have liked to read your original post.
I wonder what might have happened if I had asked the same questions at your age. I came from a high school of 600 where I was perceived as you are and went to a college of 20,000 where I was just average. Couldn't get over it and eventually dropped out. Traveled, started sailing, went all over and learned a lot. Except I kept running from responsibility. I had no discipline but could learn anything I became really interested in, unless it was too difficult and then I rationilzed that it wasn't that interesting. I have read a lot of the posts on here and as with everything in life there is both some fine wisdom and some real BS here. Be careful to not choose those posts that are what you "want to hear". At age 38 (10 years ago) I realized I was an alcoholic. Best thing that ever happened to me as it finally taught me humility, perserverance and tenacity, as well as the ability to reach out to others for help. Now, ten years later I feel I am a fairly competent sys-admin in a large organization. Still love to sail. You have your life ahead, don't follow the cynicism expressed by the more arrogant minds on here, that is a waste. Remember, imagination is more valuable than intelligence.