I believe a lot in the value of undergraduate education in general as a time to learn how to think and even just grow up a bit and learn how to live independently and such.  Even just exploring and figuring out what on earth you want to be when you grow up (at 34 I still struggle with that).  Beyond that, internships really open doors.  I think that some kind of post-secondary education is important - just do it reasonably in terms of course of study and cost.  Take up a trade if you prefer, that&#x27;s education as well.  But do something to develop yourself - and I don&#x27;t necessarily think going right into the corporate meat grinder is the best way to start since you&#x27;ll get such a narrow view of the way to do things right out of the gate.<p>I do wish that we did gap years in the US like some countries do.  If my daughter grows up and decides to take a year or two between high school and college, I&#x27;d be thrilled.  Shit, I&#x27;d pay for it if she found something reasonably constructive to do.  I&#x27;d have been way better off had I delayed my freshman year by 1-2 years - I had a great time, but I didn&#x27;t go to class much.