Education is our most precious gift to ourselves, that we need to nurture throughout our lives in order to grow. The most logical way to get formal education is college, but not everyone has the money to go that route. My opinion is, “Never say ‘never’ “. You will get the education you need, in your own time frame, it may just not happen in the traditional period of four years in a university.

So, what is a person with limited means to do? First of all, decide on a career you want to pursue, if you haven’t already. In this first example, I will use the goal of wanting to own a restaurant. How can someone just out of high school and with no money get the needed education to own his or her own restaurant? It will take time, much hard work and a lot of patience. Here are some ideas to get the budding entrepreneur heading in the right direction.

First, and most obvious, work in a restaurant. Find employment in the kind of style of cooking that interests you. You aren’t going to hire in as a chef, but as a prep cook or salad person, for example. If the company is a chain, and has a paid training program, all the better. Whenever the employer pays for further training for you, NEVER turn it down. This is free, current education handed to you on a silver platter. Don’t only attend, but give the training all the focus and drive you have. Not only will you learn, but you are setting yourself up for a routine of excellence in behavior, habits and workmanship. Learn the equipment, techniques in food preparation and whatever else you can. Watch and learn everything you can absorb. This will drive you further up the ladder of success by going beyond what is required of you and giving a little extra.

Stay with your employer as long as you are getting the education you want. Don’t get stuck forever in one place, though, if you want to grow. Giving yourself different examples of business practises and routines furthers your education and helps you to gain alternative perspectives than just staying in one place and sticking with it. If you are devoted to your work and are happy there, then stay, but successful people I have known, who truly did make it to become successful entrepreneurs were never satisfied. Their goal was for their own business and they stopped at nothing until they got it. You will have time for loyalty when you have your own place. For now, care about what you do, but think of it as a stepping stone for knowledge and experience only.

Another good employment move, no matter what profession you plan to go into, is working in a store (wholesale or retail) or working with money. Be a clerk, merchandiser, inventory assistant, whatever you can do, to see how the business is actually run. A great way to do this without being stuck in one position for one company, is to work for temporary employment agencies. Whatever the job, just do it, even if it seems like something you have no interest in. I did this while in college, taking jobs from packing ball bearings in a factory, to taking inventory at high end clothing stores, doing file clerk work and audit jobs. A little later on, I even tried accounting for a race track as a temp (and I am anything but an accountant when it comes to my skills, numbers aren’t my thing). I was a lousy accountant in the race track job, as an emergency replacement for someone with an MBA. What were they thinking to hire me for the position? Who knows, but I welcomed the challenge, came in early and stayed late. In the end, I was generating payroll checks, paying large expenses for the company and organizing books I’d never dealt with ever in life previously. Why? To get the experience of working with money more than casually. To know how to institute payroll, do accounts payable and recievable, and in general, get skills that could help me later in running a business of my own. I probably drove the poor comptroller crazy with all my questions, but they needed me and I appreciated the wealth of financial information I got in a matter of two months, and they paid me good money to do all of this.

Another neccessity for being in business nowadays is to be computer literate (having basic computer skills). Computer knowledge and equipment is always evolving, so it’s a good idea to jump into the world of computers, and stick with it. Buy yourself a basic computer or go to the library (usually regional libraries will have a good amount of computers for public use) and use one there. Have the librarian show you the basics for going online. If they offer a free or low-cost course on beginning computer use, take it. Let yourself get frustrated, annoyed and overwhelmed, then cool off and keep learning. Build on the knowledge. Do it at your own pace. Don’t be afraid. It’s all about trial and error. No big deal, the payoff is lifelong, usable knowledge that will help you and your business.

One of the best places to get free computer education is temp agencies. One agency I used would train their temporary employees on many different computer programs, if you cared to come in and learn on your own time. Do it, do it, do it. I did, and I know many programs such as Excel, Word, and others that I use to this day, thanks to them. Start with one program, and build on your knowledge slowly, at your own pace. Each program you know how to use in a competent manner, is another positive addition to your resume, too. It pays to thoroughly learn computer programs of different kinds, then keep up with your knowledge of them so you go with the flow when there are updates or new additions to the programs.

As for college, it is something that is very useful and when you are ready, start with a course or two at night. Money spent on college is never wasted. Being a full time student is time consuming so if you are working full-time elsewhere, it is to your advantage to start out slowly and work up to a rigorous schedule. Too much, too soon is overwhelming so begin with courses that will interest you. All colleges and universities have counselors to help you meet your needs, financially and professionally. Use them, they are valueable resources. If you live far from campus, and have a computer, take online courses. I’ve done this to supplement my previous (art) college education through the years, and have really enjoyed online education. I use it to further my computer and business knowledge. No driving to classes, I didn’t have to buy books (the place I go includes the learning materials online, within the course fees). Very good for those who have little time and don’t want to go out after work, like me. Make sure to enroll in an accredited, reputable institution. This way you know your credits will transfer correctly if you decide to go to a different college later.

Armed with life experience, a computer and courses (both in or out of college) to help build your career, you will grow and build your career. Take seminars, and non-credit courses whenever possible, too. Whenever there is a subject is offered that can be of use to you, go for it. Hard work and discipline will pay off in the end if you are persistent. I know a brilliant man who never graduated high school, who loved fish. He got fired or quit from a hundred jobs for not conforming to their ways, but he learned from every job he had and read every book he could find on subjects to better his business. He kept all his aquariums in his basement and never gave up in his quest to become a wholesaler. In time, he bought a warehouse, then added onto it. Then, took his business international, gave seminars himself and made it big. He became a very successful, multi-millionaire in the pet industry until he retired. This man made it by never giving up, being his own person (not what others wanted him to be), by keeping a positive attitude and doing things his way. He was my mentor, and one of my biggest inspirations for growing my business, which is now thriving. Don’t settle. Keep evolving and growing, then you can also have the business you want. Never give up and make it happen.

Carolyn McFann
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