It really depends on what you do. My dad dropped out of college but had enough technical skills to get a job working with computers (back in the late 80s.) Now he does systems engineering work for the government, and it seems like he’s happy and comfortable. One of my buddies dropped out of school and ended up as a programmer, and he’s really good at it. I dropped out and worked random minimum-wage jobs for a while before getting into wine, and now in my mid-20s I’m managing a cute little wine shop. The hours are long, but I really care about wine education, and the work is engaging and fulfilling. There’s always more to learn and teach. After a few years, I’ll probably find a job with a wholesaler, importer, or winery.
The common thread here is that these are industries where your skills and work experience still matter more than a college degree. If you find an industry like that, there’s a good chance of building a fulfilling career. But your job skills and work ethic have to be rock solid, and you have to make your own opportunities. And later, you still might want to complete your education, but it will take much longer.
@talljasperman As far as the A&W you were talking about, I’ve managed places like that, too. It’s a lot harder if you don’t really care about the work and have a personal reason for doing all the long hours. Retail/restaurant managers usually work a standard 50-hour schedule with more as needed. It’s never just 50— some jobs are hellishly stressful and exhausting. The pay at a small chain/quick-service place runs about 30–45k a year. That sounds pretty good if you’re unemployed and thinking about minimum-wage jobs, but after a while it starts to feel like you’re giving up a huge chunk of your life and getting so little in return.