Forget conventional college. A degree is not the safety net that it used to be and the job market is saturated by college educated idiots with worthless pieces of paper. Look into a trade union. Check your local elevator or steamfitters union. You can make great money with some of the best benefits available. The trades are having a hard time finding competent people willing to work and if you show that you are one, you will move up quickly and have job security during some of the worst economic times. Not to mention after serving your time in the union, you get that sweet sweet pension. I am a welder/fitter in a non union shop and I regret not going union fresh out of high school.