After college what option did you take? what did you do and are you happy with your decision?only 3 options?

I chose Option 2: I went straight to work without thinking about grad school. I work in the IT industry as a software tester. I got a job right after graduation which I held for 1 3/4 years before I was laid off to be replaced by someone in India. I did not move back with my parents when that happened I collected unemployment, 11 months later I found another job (it was that time after 9/11 when the tech bubble really popped). I got a contract job with a large IT company in my area which lasted 18 months, when that was over I was able to get another contract job in the same company and stayed at that job for 1 year. At that time I found the job I have been working at for nearly 3 years. I have never felt that I am missing something in my education, and when I got laid off me not having my grad degree was actually a benefit (someone with a grad degree would have wanted more money for he same job because they have the degree {ie an extra loan}). I am very happy and proud with what I have done with my life. I have a lot of career options and a lot of chances for advancement in the company I work for. Your choices are limited, a lot of people leave college and get jobs right away and don't regret not going to grad school and don't have to be supported by their parents and your options for the jobs that you think people can work after college are too limited there are tons of jobs that you can get right out of college (software developer, journalist, Cad Technician, accountant etc) You have have to broaden your horizons a little past what you see everyday.

i was 28 when i finally had earned enough post high school to take a full year off work and finish my BA. I went straight to grad school and worked part time. That was a good option for me and I graduated with very little in loan money.

Option 3. take chances and move away and try to make it on your own the best way you can

I went straight from college to grad school because by the time I was a senior I realized I didn't know enough to do any good or make a living(psychology). I never regretted my decision, I worked my butt off for years working two jobs while going to school full time and went for years without ever having a day off from either one. Since you are a teacher, I would recommend you explore with your students (no matter WHAT age) the different career fields and jobs available to them. I am always amazed by the kids graduating from high school who can't name more than three higher ed jobs when they graduate. You named it, doctor lawyer and teacher. Kids should know about HUNDREDS of jobs as they go through their day. Make a game, do a contest, give rewards to students who can name all the jobs that are related to everything in their classroom.. Not just teacher, principal and the custodian, the librarian, the people who laid the bricks, maintain the air conditioner, wrote their textbooks, put together their desks, made their clothing, shoes. 500 jobs easy!!!

Option 4! I got some college at my local community college, but fell sort of my 2 year degree by a few classes. College actually bored me to tears and I was completely disgusted with "higher education"! I had an English professor read to me from the text book for the first day! I assumed that he was just unprepared and returned for the second day of that class! He picked up reading from where he left off. Needless to say I dropped that class and have had harsh reservation on higher education ever since! I joined the USAF, learned a trade, and spent over 20 years defending the U.S. I did go back to school and get my associates degree, but that is it! Higher education is nothing more than a money scam! Don't believe me...give me a subject or major and I will surpass anyone on a test in that subject in a month!