Rick Price
Sep 1, 2018 · 2 min read

When I see posts like this I have to shake my head. I worked my way through school and let my employers shoulder most of the costs. I uses co-op, work study, tuition and fees reimbursement and a number of other programs to get through with zero student debt. My Degree plan — BSEE and MS and Ph.D. in Computer Science. Marketable credentials.

All of these programs still exist but it seems that the crop of kids entering colleges these days want three things — an easy ride through the Liberal Arts department, they want it now and they want a high paying job at graduation. Unfortunately, there aren’t all that many jobs requiring a Liberal Arts desgree unless you view it as Pre-Law.

If you want it now, then you need to borrow money. Money that you need to pay back. I’d advise a degree that will give you the option of working someplace other than Starbuck’s slinging coffee.

Another option is to learn a trade first. Welders, millwrights, machinists, electricians and most craft/tradespeople earn (easily) 80–100K annually and have good education assistance programs. And a Jr. Programmer with decent Java skills can bring in $40–55/hr ($80k — $110k/year). None of these jobs require a degree. They are also lifesavers during downturns in the economy when everyone is downsizing. I fell back on being an electrician who could weld a time or two.

If you need it now then expect debt. Also expect that having a nice car and home may be way down the road as a result. Grow up. Make grown up decisions. Figure out how you’ll pay back your debt, if your degree will earn you a living, and quit throwing tantrums when life isn’t ‘fair’.

    Rick Price

    Written by

    35 years in Corporate IT and currently working on ways to automate Organic Farming and maximize Aquaponic/Hydroponic yields without chemicals.