<p>I've read some research about the dropping %age of males on most college campuses. What I have learned through my reading and my own observations is that guys brains lead them to be more pragmatic about their educations. That's one of the reasons those who attend college flood the "hands-on" departments (engineering, architecture, computer programming). On average they view college as a way of getting the career and lifestyle they would like to have more than an experience to treasure for a lifetime which is the typical female viewpoint. You can also see this in the way that they are more likely to complain than women about satisfying core requirements. They don't see the point. Don' get me wrong...there are lots of pragmatic women out there but if you look who is getting degrees in what you will find women outnumber men in things like art history and sociology which are fascinating but not neccessarily as sensible as business and accounting.</p>
<p>What I am getting at is this: Your S has not earned the grades to get him into college. He therefore likely sees CC as a waste of time since he would be taking GE classes which won't be getting him closer to HIS goal (whatever that may be). The internship is hands on and will give him some work related experience and plays into the male need to do something. I agree with the suggestion that he could take CC classes while working as a compromise</p>
<p>Maybe you could suggest a third option to him; Technical training. Some of the best paid professionals are the HVAC guys, the airline mechanics etc. Many of the schools that provide this training can be completed in under two years and the graduates start out making well over minimum wage. It's a very pragmatic way to go. I teach and I know that even after 18 years on the job some of my former students make twice what I make without having gone to a traditional college to do it. </p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>I can only give the experience of nephew #1. B student, smart, physically imposing but zero desire for college. Not a whit. Equally contemptuous of an "office" job. Started his own lawncare business in high school. Fast forward 8 years. Married, irrigator's license, pesticide applicator's license, heavy equipment experience, two full-time employees, a regular book of business that pays him about $10K/mth and one-off contracting jobs that can match that (gross - costs of goods). </p>
<p>Now the downside. He is wearing out. At 6'5" 270 his joints ache, he has breathing difficulties and sleeps with some bizarro machine, his back is constantly "out". He knows the day will come when his want to will exceed his can do. He is trying to diversify but as yet the best money comes from jobs no one else wants to do because they are so incredibly hard. </p>
<p>New employees quit before noon on day one. He has only had two that can keep the absolutely insane pace (and quality) he demands. They are very well compensated for their labor ($25/hr in a $10/hr town) but most just physically can't do it. Imagine football spring training as your job. Now move it to summer in Texas. It's that bad. </p>
<p>He has a wife, a nice brick home in a nice neighborhood that he owes little on, all his equipment is paid for when he picks it up. Time will tell whether he can shift his business and translate his experience to something less physically onerous. I'm betting he will.</p>
<p>My contractor: a really smart guy who spent at least some time in college. Juggling lots of employees and jobs. Loses a lot of sleep (don't we all, I guess?), works really hard, including weekends. I'm quite sure his body is wearing out. This is why we have lost every builder we've ever had--bodily wear and tear. They've all been smart enough and educated enough to move to something else. The trades are a good living--sometimes a great living--and if you've ever been to a contractor's home--WOW! But you need a back up for the golden years.</p>
<p>I think the internship is a good idea. It can only motivate him more if it is something he really enjoys. He may go to college to pursue this line of work later, he may get good employment immediately, and certainly he will gain maturity. This is an excellent alternative choice, and you should be proud of him for choosing wisely and within his interests and goals. Most kids who are ambivalent about college make much poorer choices.</p>
<p>There's nothing that bad about community college. He may not know what he likes and it is a cheap, easy way to figure that out quickly. Also, he might find out that he loves a certain subject while there--and pursue a four year degree.</p>
<p>At this point, his life is in his hands. Atleast, he wants to try for community college. Encourage him--he's making a big decision. ALso, if he didn't have that great grades in HS, he can really get them up in CC.</p>
<p>From what I've read, he strikes me as an entreprenuer type. And the great part about that--you don't need a college education. You don't need college to be successful. Just keep that in mind.</p>