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I’m a high school dropout.

I’ve worked five jobs and each of them had a high school diploma or equivalent under the qualifications.

I don’t hide the fact that I’m a dropout. I put that down on my applications and if questioned about it. I explain what happened.

I’ve come to realize that this “requirement” for jobs is mainly written down as a formality that looks good and companies don’t really care as long as you seem right for the job.

Obviously for any work that involves higher education such as college, you can’t get around this issue, but for anything else. It’s possible.

The fact of the matter is, companies need workers and as long as you excel in every other way they’re often not going to be caught up on a detail like not having a diploma.

That being said, I still recommend getting one because it is a valid excuse every workplace can use to reject you if they want. The less reasons you have to be turned down, the better.

You aren’t doing yourself any favors by not graduating, but it’s also not the be-all and end-all people make it out to be.
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Dainbramadge · 56-60, M
I, myself am not a drop out. I am a high school fail out.

But I also found that companies rarely even bring it up even tho I leave it blank.
It never stopped me from advancing either.
Mind you it's blue collar work in metal fabricating and machining, but I have learned to program more than a few CNC's. Not just operate and do touch offs with compensations. MIlls, drills, lathes and more.

One model I was editing in ways the guy who sold it to us and taught me how to run and program it, had never seen. But I saw it in the user manual.

My favorite teacher in school told me a lot of real life and very profound things.
One of which is that school teaches you everything they can by fourth grade.
They teach you how to learn.
After that they just try to expose you to as much as they can.
Reject · 26-30, M
@Dainbramadge I love to see how you accomplished anything you wanted even despite failing out. That’s the path I want to take. I really like that last bit too! Having what’s needed as early as 4th grade, I think it’s true and realizing that takes a deeper understanding of life that many don’t have. Even to this day people are visibly upset when I tell them I dropped out. None of my employers care though so it doesn’t bother me.
Dainbramadge · 56-60, M
@Reject Actually it's you that will make it work.
Good work ethic is number one.
If your taking the job and the money than give them all you have. No shame in working hard.
I am bipolar with lots of ADHD shared traits so I have to bust ass or I will go to sleep. lOL
The other employees always hate me because I am good and fast. They ask "Trying to make me look bad?" I say no you do that well enough yourself. LOL
Never be afraid to take on more work or jobs.
Remember that's what they will see and when it comes time for promotions and raises. The guy just getting by because they get what they pay for, doesn't get promoted. LOL.
Oh and always keep your work area, desk what ever, neat and clean and organized.
It shows the boss you like things to be orderly.
Oh god. I'm babbling. LOL