I'm an engineer, and I was a ski bum before going to college.
The only classes I consistently did well in with little effort in High School, were math and physics. But, I had little desire to work in those fields (as I knew them then), I found them relatively uninteresting. Had I gone to college right out of High School I probably would have dropped out or made a bad decision (like a physics degree, where you need a graduate degree to do anything fun with, and you are doing it the rest of your life or, even worse a history degree->law school, both of which I would have struggled to get through).
I think the time off really shaped the next phase of my life, in a very positive way.
That being said, I came back and got my degree because degrees are invaluable. If you have the resources, plan on getting a degree. Without a doubt it opens more doors than anything else.
I only practiced engineering for a couple of years (hated it, and, worked in a lab that I think was about as good as it gets, for me).
But, after another two year ski bum stint, I found myself broke (with a broken back) and in need of not only money, but something stimulating... Ski bumming was a blast, but after four years of it I was ready for something different.
I went to wall street and started writing software. I had no experience, but, I had a degree, so eventually someone was willing to give me a chance. So, I worked hard for a couple of years (like two), established a name and still in the game. I no longer love it, but it pays wells and I don't dislike it. I'll change to another industry one day... because I can... I have a degree. (I'm 35 now)
There are those who don't get a degree and do fine (like Bill Gates, he's a dropout). But, they are few and far between, and usually married to a single industry that they excelled in.
Seriously, plan on starting college no later than two years after you graduate HS. Travel, get a DM, do some teaching, and then go to school (where, you can probably teach OW classes in their pool).
Talk to anyone, with or without a degree, everyone wants one... or two... (one was more than enough for me, I hated school) Also, many people look back on college as some of the best years of their life.
