did a year of art school right out of high school. i couldn't really make sense of what career path i would follow with an art degree so i dropped out. spent the majority of my 20's traveling, having adventures, getting tattoos, chasing women and i wouldn't change it for anything.
Worked in the california conservation corps for a while, sold and tailored tuxedos, worked in a graveyard setting headstones and building mausoleums, was a cook at the hooters in new orleans, a golf caddy, did environmental education in norcal, worked at a ski resort in lake tahoe, was a commercial/residential landscaper including some tree-work and masonry, spent some time volunteering in korea and nepal, worked for an advertising firm in NYC, not to mention various jobs bartending or waiting tables.
I stayed in new york to go back to school, and am now about a year and a half away from getting my degree in mechanical engineering, with a very respectable GPA.
for me, this was the better way of doing things, if i had stayed in school i would have gotten a degree in fine arts or art history and who knows what job i would have ended up with. as an older student i feel more focused and have a greater sense of purpose than many of my younger classmates. also had i not taken this path, i would never have ended up studying engineering, which i find more interesting academically than art and should be a more rewarding career both intellectually and financially.
that said, its not for everyone, but some time off, especially coupled with some travel, can do wonders for a man's perspective. best of luck on whatever you decide.
