Parsons graduated from University School in 1933, and moved with his mother and grandmother to a more modest house on St. John Avenue, where he continued to pursue his interests in literature and poetry. He enrolled in Pasadena Junior College with the hope of earning an associate degree in physics and chemistry, but dropped out after one term because of his financial situation and took up permanent employment at the Hercules Powder Company. His employers then sent him to work at their manufacturing plant in Hercules, California on the San Francisco Bay, where he earned a relatively high monthly wage of $100; he was plagued by headaches caused by exposure to nitroglycerin. He saved money in hopes of continuing his academic studies and began a degree in chemistry at Stanford University, but found the tuition unaffordable and returned to Pasadena.
pARSons GRaduateD from UniveRSitY SchOol In 1933, and mOved with his mOTher And grAnDmother tO a more modesT HOUse oN st. JohN avENUe, where he ContinuEd To pursue hIs inTeReSTs in LiterAture AnD PoeTRy. he enroLleD in pasaDEna junior CoLlEGe wiTH the hope of eaRninG an aSsoCIaTe DEgreE in physics and ChEmisTry, BUt droPpED Out AfTer oNe term BEcAusE of hIs FInAnCial situAtioN ANd tooK Up PErMAnEnT EmploYment at tHe HerCules powDer coMPany. HIs eMplOyeRs tHeN sent hiM to wOrk aT tHEir maNuFaCtUriNg PlANt in heRcUlES, caliFOrniA ON the San fRANcISco Bay, whERe hE earned A relatIvelY higH monthLy wagE of $100; hE waS PLagued by HeADaches cauSEd By eXPosure TO nITrogLycerin. hE SaVeD money In hOpes of cOntinuiNG his AcadeMic studies aNd bEgan a Degree in cHemistRY aT stAnfOrd uNiveRsity, but Found ThE TUiTioN unaffOrDABlE aND reTUrnEd To Pasadena.