<p>I tend to see college as an apprenticeship.
If your DS is a senior apprentice, I’d encourage him to look into that opportunity. If he’s not a senior apprentice, he could think about acquiring more skills. </p>
<p>I’d also encourage your DS to seek advice from others. There are many mentoring programs (perhaps even Bill Gates has one)</p>
<p>In our own situation, I feel that DS went to engineering college, only so that he could pursue his hobby (wasn’t revealed to us until graduation but we kind of knew). That hobby is more easily achieved by acquiring specialized-higher education knowledge. </p>
<p>We are agast in DS, who after just 18 months of work has gone from fulltime engineering, to 50% startup and 50% salaried job, to leaving the startup to just 50% job, and finally thinking about doing 100% hobby. </p>
<p>Its a maturation process.</p>
<p>Good Luck.
Hope he makes it.
USA needs more entrepreneurs and less job seekers.</p>
<p>I am going to try and convince him to do some sort of part time schooling while hes working. Even if its 2 courses. He used to talk about taking a gap year but DH would not hear of it!!</p>
<p>Now we are at this junction - he is 18, he can just walk away…I know he will not do it and I am really proud of what he has achieved on his own. He has got great skill for design as well and thats what got him ahead as he can code too. </p>
<p>Will suggest he also look into the avenues that have been suggested here, thanks so much.</p>
<p>I’ve had the pleasure and challenge of working up front and personal with several serial entrepreneurs to know I could never be one in 21st century America. There is a certain DNA or personality risk profile that I can’t articulate but know it when I see it.</p>
<p>If my 19 year old son expressed an interest in working for a start up instead of attending college, I would fully support him in order to give him a 10 or 20 year head start on this self actualization. </p>
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<p>And this is the lesson the OP’s DS can learn. Having exceptional structured talents but playing 2nd or 3rd string to a successful serial entrepreneur can make for a really good career.</p>