darq
Posts: 443
Joined: 4/21/2006 From: under a rock Status: offline
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I don't have a GED or a diploma ... This is something I NEVER EVER TELL EMPLOYERS! I was homeschooled through high school .. The group I was part of was so tiny that I was the only high school student they had. There was no diploma but because I did both high school and college courses, it wasn't necessary. All that was required was that the cover group keep the records for me or give the records to me after 7 years. Well, I left home and did my thing ... And during that time, the cover group shut down. All the other children simply tested back into public school, private school or fell under other cover groups. All the records were disposed of, including mine. Therefore there is not actual phsyical record of me ever having gotten past the 7th grade. The thing is, I dont tell employers this. I note that I've completed high school (which I did) and during the interview I present myself as the educated, eager to learn, eager to work young woman that I am. When they ask about high school, I tell them about home schooling and how I had to be self disciplined in order to finish 5 years of education pretty much without the aid of a teacher. (I had a tutor for math.) Never EVER EVER do I mention the loss of the records or my lack of diploma. I've never been asked to show it to anyone ... Even now when I'm taking medical coding courses, I've never been asked to furnish a diploma. When it asks about my high school, I simply tell them I attended Antioch Christian Homeschool Academy from 8th - 12th grade; I studied college prep courses and advanced literature and journalism. I also volunteered for two years at the Northwest Animal Hospitial in Hazel Green, Alabama which granted me 4 extra credits in animal science. Its all in how you present yourself. If you present yourself as having mediocre math skills, as a person who listened to others when they told you werent capable of doing something, as a person who isn't willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish your goals, that is how you will be judged, regardless of your reputation. However, if you go in with your head high and present yourself as the kind of person who will put her all into the task at hand and don't mention the things you lack, it really doesn't matter. What matters is your personal drive. After I finish my medical coding courses and get my certification, I plan to work in an office or at home and start taking the courses to become a certified vet tech. Or maybe I'll get a PELL grant and go to college to become a vet tech. Either way, I refuse to allow a piece of paper (or lack thereof) to stand between me and my goals. You can do it ... I mean, me, I only have 6th grade math skills ... I just don't ever make a big deal over it. I don't mention it. I don't point out my faults ... For example, I also have memory problems. My short term memory is horrible. Instead of telling an employer about that though, I discipline myself by writing little notes for myself and keeping track of things that way. If I were tell an employer about my memory problems, my lack of diploma, my poor math skills I'd never get hired anywhere ... I'd never be able to do anything. I wouldn't be taking these medical coding courses right now. People would think of me as the kind of person who just gives up in the face of adversity. If I can do it, you can do it. Just don't give up ... Think about how you present yourself to others ... Make efforts to present yourself as a friendly, hardworking person who is dependable and eager to learn. If you have to fudge a little, just make sure you don't say something unbelievable like ... Don't brag about a degree you don't have. If you lie, you will get caught and that looks even worse.
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So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts ... Tell me, whats so amazing about really deep thoughts? I speak my mind because it hurts to bite my tongue.
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