Those of you who have good careers how did u get to where you are did u study etc?

I lucked out.  I fell in love with the 4th job I ever had after graduating from high school.  I didn't go to college (a decision I always regretted).  Probably within a week of working there I knew I wanted to make it my career.  

I am smart and have always been a hard worker.  I've always been a self-motivator so I've always done my best at anything I do - even if I don't like it.  Guess my work ethic is a result of watching my parents.

Given that I was reliable, always did any job given me well and I volunteered for extra assignments, it got me several promotions.  I was also willing to move to other states or offices in other cities to get those promotions.  When I retired over 20 years ago I was earning over $50K a year which wasn't bad for someone without a college degree.  I would have earned more had I been interested in upper management positions but I passed on that - decided the money wasn't worth the hassle.

well i had to fake a receding hairline, put on two hundred pounds to appear "middle aged", eat like crazy to get that bulky body look, basically look aged, and then i was hired for good job in engineering. They fired me once they found out i was young and in my 20s.

In my country, even if you have very little education, there are schemes you can do. The schemes will give you a good job to learn, a work experience placement elsewhere and they will pay for your college fund for a year, while paying your weekly wage and car license on top of that. If you want to continue your next year in college, start a new scheme or apply for an extension. That's where I've got my education and experience from.