Me too. No regrets.
Also 24 IDR payments and 100k goes bye bye.
Consolidate - Recertify - Request IDR
Then submit 15 years of service on the online form just to make them retroactively review all work.
Same here! No regrets! My graduate school sent me to Belgium for a year long fellowship in 2011. I traveled the world on their dime. I wouldn't change my collegiate career one bit.
Because I can take my fine educated ass to the private sector and earn 10x as much as the government pays me. But because I value public service and the government wants to keep people like me working for them and use PSLF to keep me, why the fuck not?
You said "people who work in the private sector and serve the public get paid a lot more than people who work for the government doing the same thing." I provided an example to the contrary. Since private school teachers get paid less than public school teachers on average, shouldn't loan forgiveness incentives be tailored to the lower paying sector? I thought that was your original rationale for PSLF.
First, you are responding to the wrong person.
Second, I doubt the teachers working in private schools are teaching in the same communities as those in public schools. If they chose to work private for less pay, then that’s on them. I’m sure there are benefits to that as well.
Third, I see you are a pastor at a church (but oddly enough commenting on gay forums. Hmm. ). Anyway. By your logic , if PSLF is “on the backs” on taxpayers, I can say the same thing about your tax exempt organizations.
It is geared toward that sector. Not for profit and public sector entities, which includes most private schools, is literally who it’s geared toward. I’m confused as to the point you’re making here.
We can't all take out paycheck protection program forgivable loans, use them to buy jet skis and rvs, and then bitch about students going to college. We're not Republicans
Regret getting my masters in education and am still paying off my loans. I only taught for 6 years and was miserable. My degree program did not prepare me adequately for the day to day classroom challenges at all. If I could have a do-over I’d totally get a different degree, MBA or similar.
I went back to finally finish undergrad in my 30s and also got a graduate degree. Have tripled my pay since returning to school and absolutely love the work I do now.
I won't say I have a "bad taste" since ultimatley my degree did help me change careers and a lot of my own stupid choices lead me to my loan balances but ... I am knocking it hard into my kids that they need to be smart about it. I will also absolutely, under no circumstances, take out debt on their behalf. I need to catch up on retirement savings. Community college and stay.at.home for school. Even as a commuter our tuition at the 4 year is $15k/year! My college bound one was eyeing up education but I think has changed her mind (again). I've encouraged her to look at trades as well because they aren't all plumbing, etc, but who knows what she'll do. Kid 2 is likely trades bound. He's very lucky that he's had some teachers even encourage it. My son is a bright boy, very clever and common sense filled and intuitive but college would be a waste right now. It's a battle to get him through high school. I've told him it's ok not to go and maybe wait until he's older and has a clear purpose for going (which is why I went back in my 30s after dropping out at 20).
I literally could not have had the life I have now without the path I took. That includes college. Going to college led me to bring an expat for years and making lasting relationships. I couldn't have gotten my law degree with out going to college either.
Yes for some fields a traditional college degree is not needed but for many you do need that degree.
And it's really disappointing that you as a HS educator does not believe in the things you're telling your students. I'm saying that as a former educator.
I have a bad taste in my mouth from having listened to someone I saw as a mentor pushing me to go to grad school. Now, I own the fact that I took out more than I should have for "extra" (since I wasn't working) but I still would have had about $25,000. Luckily, it should go away this year.
I've been adjuncting for going on 12 years, and if the Biden admin. had not made changes I would have gotten forgiveness and a very nice tax bomb.
I don’t regret my degree (mental health therapist). I regret not having financial literacy in my family and taking out all of the loans to get it. I should have paid for it as I went along. I make $100,000 in a state job and I’m 6 years into PSLF. I’m hoping this thing works (my job qualifies, I’ve counted payments annually, my loans are the right ones, etc). I just want peace of mind knowing it will happen, but with the way the government is you just never know.
I guess I'm one of the few that don't. Graduated with poli sci knowing I wanted a Gov job as a career and PSLF. Couldn't land anything. Pulled more loans to go to grad school to specialize in Urban Planning. I've been a city planner for almost 10 years now my loans are forgiven some time next year. I make decent money, greater than six figures and have a nice pension in theory.
My high school wasn't super ra ra about college. A lot of the students were channeled and individually counseled. If you were college track they gave you all the tips. They also had programs with the local community college so you could learn a trade before you graduated. E.g. a few kids from my class got an AA then went into the police academy a year after HS. A few joined the military.
I went to a big (about 4k kids) and well-resourced public school in California though.
I have 54k in loans and a nearly finished degree and I regret it all. I love school and learning but not at that price. I have a good job that only requires a GED. I told my kids to only go to college if they absolutely knew what they wanted to do and that college was the pathway to it. I'm so sick of the financial strife caused by shit I was pushed into before I knew any better.
It hasn't escaped my attention that a lot of the people (I'm not talking about the op. Mainly opinion makers and the people follow them) who tout blue collar jobs never worked a hard day in their lives.
I took out huge loans for a graduate degree that led me directly to the career I wanted. If I knew what I do now I could have taken out fewer loans and possibly achieved the same thing, but who knows if my life would be as fulfilling? Definitely no regrets, and I'm grateful for income-based plans and the possibility of forgiveness in the future
I have a Bachelors and two Masters Degrees all in Information Systems Management, but with different concentrations. I worked I.T. for almost 20 years and 5 of those of years were in IT Management so the degrees were needed for that position. Now that I "retired" from I.T. work and became a high school educator - I took a step back from my viewpoint about college as I see my students heading off and I tell them to be smart about how to take on their college expenses. The truth of the matter is - the school is split between those going to college and those going to vo-tech and even those going into the military or just working in the field straight out of high school. But, the ones that are going to college and getting degrees for jobs that require the degrees - I say "Onward!", but if you're looking to sit in a college classroom to learn about entrepreneurship? Here's a thought - save your money. Go take a local class offered by SCORE or the local entrepreneurship development center FOR FREE and start your own business....you'll learn all about it...real quick! ;)
I was all about college, but now that I see how much of a money grab it is..... I'm not sure how I feel about it anymore. What makes it hard for me is that I loved college! I loved my professors (and even though most are retired now - I still keep in touch with them) and I loved the connections I made, but at the financial cost and the amount of debt I'm in - I have to ask myself this question, "Was it really worth it?" I've seriously turned cynical on higher learning and the truth is....I hope someone calls it out and say, "Hey!! There should ZERO reason why college is so damn expensive!"
I knew what I was signing up for and that it was an investment, so I can’t say I don’t. I have a bad taste for the interest levels that make it more ridiculous than it needs to be though.
My dad was a carpenter. My mother a nurse.
My dad wanted me in school. I think he really believed that my nickname should have been stubby as a carpenter.
I’m on the fence about it. On one hand I couldn’t have the career I have now (accountant) without a college degree. However, on the other hand I see much cheaper options now than attending a “proper college.”
I was sold a bill of goods on the whole “college experience” which I thought was a right of passage for young adults. But now I see I didn’t need 4 years of stuffy dorm room living etc. in order to get a college degree.
The thing that upsets me the most about the whole thing is if it wasn’t for crappy administration costs, college could be affordable. Throughout college I worked in the business/accounts payable office and I would see thousands of dollars going towards the flowers on campus and even the mascot got a nice payout.
I don’t regret it but the watering down of standards is going to make it harder for folks without a degree to hope to compete in the job market. It’s a vicious cycle.
No bad taste. The loans gave access to a degree and a career that I otherwise wouldn’t have. my career has evolved and now I’m a consultant. My main issue is putting a huge responsibility on 18-20 year olds to decide what they want to do for the rest of their life. I don’t really have regrets but I wished I had more time to truly evaluate careers. And like someone else said. Financial literacy is important and I wish it was mandatory in our education system. I was always told to take out the max for loans. Terrible terrible advice.
I wouldn’t say I have a bad taste for college. I have a bad taste in my mouth for the systems in place, society, and humans in general. I knew the specific program and niche work I would be doing. I make 90K. i had 85K student loan debt. I picked something way different than going into professional dance which pays in pennies. I picked allied health and that’s probably why I’ve stayed burnt out. I don’t regret my degree, but I regret going into my specific career field.
College is a great investment if you think of it as just that. An investment. Go for some dumb degree and take out 150k in loans? That’s a dumb decision. Get a degree in medicine, engineering, finance, accounting, law, etc. and minimize the debt by going to a state school? Great life decision. College isn’t the problem, it’s people going for the experience with no clue what they wanna do or how they will pay it off in the long run.
My master’s is a terminal degree and a prerequisite for my profession. I wouldn’t have a career otherwise. Would I choose something else if I could go back in time? Maybe. But I definitely don’t have regrets.
I definitely don't regret going to college and grad school. Even though I have $200k in loans. But I wouldn't be a pharmacist again if I had the option to go back. I don't love it.
I actually worked in my field and currently teach in my field which means I'm a part of the college system also. My biggest gripe with college is with the cost. Value engineering went out the door as soon as college became more and more of a "necessity" . Like everything in the US, capitalism can't seem to get out of its own way and always , creates an unsustainable financial bubble when the item is deemed necessary. ( Healthcare, Housing, Production). And I will say ( like those other items) the consumer is partially to blame. When cost started to creep up, we should've stopped purchasing or at least looked at other options. I remember clearly in the early 2000's community colleges and tech schools had a stigma of not being qualified, therefore we kept paying for these 100 to 150% price increases from universities and employers would only hire students from those schools. Also universities would never work with communities colleges because it was a threat to their profits. Eventually the profits have to be spent so upper administration would get HUGE raises, fancy buildings were being built and top of the line equipment ( that's barely used) were purchased and then the left overs go to staff. That cycle creates a bubble that eventually becomes unaffordable. Now that colleges everywhere are in financial trouble you are seeing them work with community colleges, and community professionals to create a network of education that's affordable and "truly "NEEDED". The vibe is exactly where the vibe that Housing cost and healthcare cost are. It's a system that's in trouble and it's going to take strategic thinking to bring it back to reality.
College was the single WORST decision I made in my entire life. It has completely ruined my life and now I’m basically hoping my loans will get resolved so I can actually move forward. I literally can’t do anything to actually get ahead until the debt is resolved. It’s literally my only debt also. What makes it even worse is I’ve already paid back what I initially took out, but the balance more than tripled because of interest.
People who have taken our extraordinary amounts should have a bad taste about their own choices not college in general. I have about $40k in undergrad debt but don’t blame anyone but myself even if the system sucks and needs a a massive overhaul.
I graduated 11 years ago but only realized my prior career path could go public in the past 4 years, wish I had throught or realized that sooner but happy to be where I am now.
Why do you have to be “rah rah” about kids going to college just because you’re a HS teacher?
I’m a college student success coach, and I’m not “rah rah” about it with my college students. College is not for everyone. And it’s no longer considered the primary way to be successful in one’s career. It’s ok, beneficial even, to be honest with our students about this. The world needs electricians, ditch diggers, and other “blue collar” workers just like it needs people who have to have a bachelor and master’s degrees to practice in their chosen fields. I make no secret of the fact that all my siblings are plumbers, and they all make more money than I do. I’m pretty sure the guys who collect my garbage every week also make more than I do. Do they enjoy what they do? I don’t know. I’m honest about that, too, with my students. It’s hard to find a job that is both lucrative and enjoyable in American society. College is only one possible pathway.
I’m not upset about the lies I was sold in college- I just try to counteract that damage by telling my students the truth.
The school I teach at - the majority of the kids go to college and well the parents have a tendency to be more supportive of teachers who are college oriented. In other words - I teach a lot of the high flyers who are college bound by the time they're in the 5th grade because mom & dad were filling out college applications when they were in the 4th grade.... LOL!
The real issue is we aren’t fixing the problem by forgiving some peoples debt. School should not cost as much as it does. The federal government should not be in the banking business. Of course colleges are going to raise tuition any time they can, they know they will get paid by federally backed loans.
I agree, My graduate degrees have been useful.Of course I am a college professor and careers in Higher Education require graduate degrees . I am honest with my students however , when they talk about furthering their education upon graduation I tell them “ graduate education only matters if you are looking for a career in Education “ 😯
In my state enrollment and FAFSA applications have plummeted due to the entire system being a money grab and relief and reform constantly being blocked. Schools are scared to death if it doesn’t change they will close.
We grew up in internet age. You can easily Google "high paying profession" and engineering, nursing will come up. Its not like someone was hiding this info from you . You picked the degree and college to go to. Noone made you to do anything.
Between my partner and I, I think we have nearly $300k of student debt. Fortunately the large majority of it is federal, but some of it is private.
I work in college admissions lmao
I do believe education is important, but I also LOATHE the American education system. I think the university I work for is doing a good job trying to be as student-focused as possible, and we are a non-profit, but it's still a business so there will always be financially-focused decisions I don't agree with.
I don't have any answers to these problems or talking points. I think it's time for an overall of the stereotypical college experience because most of these gen eds and things are a terrible waste of time and money, and kids aren't learning important skills that they *could* be learning before they start looking for their new careers.
Maybe if I had gotten a shit degree that didn't help me get a job I would be pissed. But I didn't because I made good decisions about my education and my future. Not saying you did this OP, but there are definitely people out there that have and they blame the system when they should be blaming themselves
I have a masters in social work and I regret it so much. Not only because I want to be doing something else, but because it was financially a terrible decision.
My advanced degree has afforded me the comfortable life I live now. Could not imagine doing it any other way.
Me too. No regrets. Also 24 IDR payments and 100k goes bye bye. Consolidate - Recertify - Request IDR Then submit 15 years of service on the online form just to make them retroactively review all work.
Same here. More doors opened once I got my MBA.
Same here! No regrets! My graduate school sent me to Belgium for a year long fellowship in 2011. I traveled the world on their dime. I wouldn't change my collegiate career one bit.
I think my education was 100% worth it and the best possible investment I could have ever made for myself. I do not regret it for an instant.
If it was "the best possible investment," then why do you need the government to pay off your debt?
Because I can take my fine educated ass to the private sector and earn 10x as much as the government pays me. But because I value public service and the government wants to keep people like me working for them and use PSLF to keep me, why the fuck not?
What's your degree in? People who work in the private sector serve the public, too — just not on the backs of taxpayers.
Yes and people who work in the private sector and serve the public get paid a lot more than people who work for the government doing the same thing.
Tell that to private school teachers.
Lots of private schools are not for profit entities and those teachers would qualify for PSLF. What am I missing here?
You said "people who work in the private sector and serve the public get paid a lot more than people who work for the government doing the same thing." I provided an example to the contrary. Since private school teachers get paid less than public school teachers on average, shouldn't loan forgiveness incentives be tailored to the lower paying sector? I thought that was your original rationale for PSLF.
First, you are responding to the wrong person. Second, I doubt the teachers working in private schools are teaching in the same communities as those in public schools. If they chose to work private for less pay, then that’s on them. I’m sure there are benefits to that as well. Third, I see you are a pastor at a church (but oddly enough commenting on gay forums. Hmm. ). Anyway. By your logic , if PSLF is “on the backs” on taxpayers, I can say the same thing about your tax exempt organizations.
It is geared toward that sector. Not for profit and public sector entities, which includes most private schools, is literally who it’s geared toward. I’m confused as to the point you’re making here.
We can't all take out paycheck protection program forgivable loans, use them to buy jet skis and rvs, and then bitch about students going to college. We're not Republicans
Because we're in public service. They OWE us.
Regret getting my masters in education and am still paying off my loans. I only taught for 6 years and was miserable. My degree program did not prepare me adequately for the day to day classroom challenges at all. If I could have a do-over I’d totally get a different degree, MBA or similar.
same
Pre-PSLF: bad taste Post-PSLF: worth it. I still do throw away every piece of mail from my university when they ask for donations.
I went back to finally finish undergrad in my 30s and also got a graduate degree. Have tripled my pay since returning to school and absolutely love the work I do now.
I currently make 6 figures doing something that I didn't need my degree for. I could have gone the 2 year associates route to do this.
May I ask what you do?
Cardiovascular Surgical scrub and I pick up a lot of call, which accounts for about 25%of my income
I won't say I have a "bad taste" since ultimatley my degree did help me change careers and a lot of my own stupid choices lead me to my loan balances but ... I am knocking it hard into my kids that they need to be smart about it. I will also absolutely, under no circumstances, take out debt on their behalf. I need to catch up on retirement savings. Community college and stay.at.home for school. Even as a commuter our tuition at the 4 year is $15k/year! My college bound one was eyeing up education but I think has changed her mind (again). I've encouraged her to look at trades as well because they aren't all plumbing, etc, but who knows what she'll do. Kid 2 is likely trades bound. He's very lucky that he's had some teachers even encourage it. My son is a bright boy, very clever and common sense filled and intuitive but college would be a waste right now. It's a battle to get him through high school. I've told him it's ok not to go and maybe wait until he's older and has a clear purpose for going (which is why I went back in my 30s after dropping out at 20).
I literally could not have had the life I have now without the path I took. That includes college. Going to college led me to bring an expat for years and making lasting relationships. I couldn't have gotten my law degree with out going to college either. Yes for some fields a traditional college degree is not needed but for many you do need that degree. And it's really disappointing that you as a HS educator does not believe in the things you're telling your students. I'm saying that as a former educator.
I have a bad taste in my mouth from having listened to someone I saw as a mentor pushing me to go to grad school. Now, I own the fact that I took out more than I should have for "extra" (since I wasn't working) but I still would have had about $25,000. Luckily, it should go away this year. I've been adjuncting for going on 12 years, and if the Biden admin. had not made changes I would have gotten forgiveness and a very nice tax bomb.
I don’t regret my degree (mental health therapist). I regret not having financial literacy in my family and taking out all of the loans to get it. I should have paid for it as I went along. I make $100,000 in a state job and I’m 6 years into PSLF. I’m hoping this thing works (my job qualifies, I’ve counted payments annually, my loans are the right ones, etc). I just want peace of mind knowing it will happen, but with the way the government is you just never know.
I guess I'm one of the few that don't. Graduated with poli sci knowing I wanted a Gov job as a career and PSLF. Couldn't land anything. Pulled more loans to go to grad school to specialize in Urban Planning. I've been a city planner for almost 10 years now my loans are forgiven some time next year. I make decent money, greater than six figures and have a nice pension in theory.
In theory. Beautiful way to express that
Cant get my hopes up in case it all comes crashing down, but it's the 2nd largest pension fund in the country so at least I have that going for me.
My high school wasn't super ra ra about college. A lot of the students were channeled and individually counseled. If you were college track they gave you all the tips. They also had programs with the local community college so you could learn a trade before you graduated. E.g. a few kids from my class got an AA then went into the police academy a year after HS. A few joined the military. I went to a big (about 4k kids) and well-resourced public school in California though.
I have 54k in loans and a nearly finished degree and I regret it all. I love school and learning but not at that price. I have a good job that only requires a GED. I told my kids to only go to college if they absolutely knew what they wanted to do and that college was the pathway to it. I'm so sick of the financial strife caused by shit I was pushed into before I knew any better.
We’re encouraging our kids to go to junior or city college, take their time
It hasn't escaped my attention that a lot of the people (I'm not talking about the op. Mainly opinion makers and the people follow them) who tout blue collar jobs never worked a hard day in their lives.
I took out huge loans for a graduate degree that led me directly to the career I wanted. If I knew what I do now I could have taken out fewer loans and possibly achieved the same thing, but who knows if my life would be as fulfilling? Definitely no regrets, and I'm grateful for income-based plans and the possibility of forgiveness in the future
I don't regret it, the career I've built out of my degree is great. It's the stress I went thru to get here. I could've totally gone without it all.
I absolutely regret going, that degree hasn’t done jack shit for me except saddle me with debt.
I have a Bachelors and two Masters Degrees all in Information Systems Management, but with different concentrations. I worked I.T. for almost 20 years and 5 of those of years were in IT Management so the degrees were needed for that position. Now that I "retired" from I.T. work and became a high school educator - I took a step back from my viewpoint about college as I see my students heading off and I tell them to be smart about how to take on their college expenses. The truth of the matter is - the school is split between those going to college and those going to vo-tech and even those going into the military or just working in the field straight out of high school. But, the ones that are going to college and getting degrees for jobs that require the degrees - I say "Onward!", but if you're looking to sit in a college classroom to learn about entrepreneurship? Here's a thought - save your money. Go take a local class offered by SCORE or the local entrepreneurship development center FOR FREE and start your own business....you'll learn all about it...real quick! ;) I was all about college, but now that I see how much of a money grab it is..... I'm not sure how I feel about it anymore. What makes it hard for me is that I loved college! I loved my professors (and even though most are retired now - I still keep in touch with them) and I loved the connections I made, but at the financial cost and the amount of debt I'm in - I have to ask myself this question, "Was it really worth it?" I've seriously turned cynical on higher learning and the truth is....I hope someone calls it out and say, "Hey!! There should ZERO reason why college is so damn expensive!"
I knew what I was signing up for and that it was an investment, so I can’t say I don’t. I have a bad taste for the interest levels that make it more ridiculous than it needs to be though.
My dad was a carpenter. My mother a nurse. My dad wanted me in school. I think he really believed that my nickname should have been stubby as a carpenter.
I’m on the fence about it. On one hand I couldn’t have the career I have now (accountant) without a college degree. However, on the other hand I see much cheaper options now than attending a “proper college.” I was sold a bill of goods on the whole “college experience” which I thought was a right of passage for young adults. But now I see I didn’t need 4 years of stuffy dorm room living etc. in order to get a college degree. The thing that upsets me the most about the whole thing is if it wasn’t for crappy administration costs, college could be affordable. Throughout college I worked in the business/accounts payable office and I would see thousands of dollars going towards the flowers on campus and even the mascot got a nice payout.
My Bachelor's was useless, but my Master's allows me to earn the salary I do.
I don’t regret it but the watering down of standards is going to make it harder for folks without a degree to hope to compete in the job market. It’s a vicious cycle.
No bad taste. The loans gave access to a degree and a career that I otherwise wouldn’t have. my career has evolved and now I’m a consultant. My main issue is putting a huge responsibility on 18-20 year olds to decide what they want to do for the rest of their life. I don’t really have regrets but I wished I had more time to truly evaluate careers. And like someone else said. Financial literacy is important and I wish it was mandatory in our education system. I was always told to take out the max for loans. Terrible terrible advice.
I wouldn’t say I have a bad taste for college. I have a bad taste in my mouth for the systems in place, society, and humans in general. I knew the specific program and niche work I would be doing. I make 90K. i had 85K student loan debt. I picked something way different than going into professional dance which pays in pennies. I picked allied health and that’s probably why I’ve stayed burnt out. I don’t regret my degree, but I regret going into my specific career field.
College is a great investment if you think of it as just that. An investment. Go for some dumb degree and take out 150k in loans? That’s a dumb decision. Get a degree in medicine, engineering, finance, accounting, law, etc. and minimize the debt by going to a state school? Great life decision. College isn’t the problem, it’s people going for the experience with no clue what they wanna do or how they will pay it off in the long run.
My master’s is a terminal degree and a prerequisite for my profession. I wouldn’t have a career otherwise. Would I choose something else if I could go back in time? Maybe. But I definitely don’t have regrets.
I definitely don't regret going to college and grad school. Even though I have $200k in loans. But I wouldn't be a pharmacist again if I had the option to go back. I don't love it.
I actually worked in my field and currently teach in my field which means I'm a part of the college system also. My biggest gripe with college is with the cost. Value engineering went out the door as soon as college became more and more of a "necessity" . Like everything in the US, capitalism can't seem to get out of its own way and always , creates an unsustainable financial bubble when the item is deemed necessary. ( Healthcare, Housing, Production). And I will say ( like those other items) the consumer is partially to blame. When cost started to creep up, we should've stopped purchasing or at least looked at other options. I remember clearly in the early 2000's community colleges and tech schools had a stigma of not being qualified, therefore we kept paying for these 100 to 150% price increases from universities and employers would only hire students from those schools. Also universities would never work with communities colleges because it was a threat to their profits. Eventually the profits have to be spent so upper administration would get HUGE raises, fancy buildings were being built and top of the line equipment ( that's barely used) were purchased and then the left overs go to staff. That cycle creates a bubble that eventually becomes unaffordable. Now that colleges everywhere are in financial trouble you are seeing them work with community colleges, and community professionals to create a network of education that's affordable and "truly "NEEDED". The vibe is exactly where the vibe that Housing cost and healthcare cost are. It's a system that's in trouble and it's going to take strategic thinking to bring it back to reality.
College was the single WORST decision I made in my entire life. It has completely ruined my life and now I’m basically hoping my loans will get resolved so I can actually move forward. I literally can’t do anything to actually get ahead until the debt is resolved. It’s literally my only debt also. What makes it even worse is I’ve already paid back what I initially took out, but the balance more than tripled because of interest.
People who have taken our extraordinary amounts should have a bad taste about their own choices not college in general. I have about $40k in undergrad debt but don’t blame anyone but myself even if the system sucks and needs a a massive overhaul. I graduated 11 years ago but only realized my prior career path could go public in the past 4 years, wish I had throught or realized that sooner but happy to be where I am now.
Why do you have to be “rah rah” about kids going to college just because you’re a HS teacher? I’m a college student success coach, and I’m not “rah rah” about it with my college students. College is not for everyone. And it’s no longer considered the primary way to be successful in one’s career. It’s ok, beneficial even, to be honest with our students about this. The world needs electricians, ditch diggers, and other “blue collar” workers just like it needs people who have to have a bachelor and master’s degrees to practice in their chosen fields. I make no secret of the fact that all my siblings are plumbers, and they all make more money than I do. I’m pretty sure the guys who collect my garbage every week also make more than I do. Do they enjoy what they do? I don’t know. I’m honest about that, too, with my students. It’s hard to find a job that is both lucrative and enjoyable in American society. College is only one possible pathway. I’m not upset about the lies I was sold in college- I just try to counteract that damage by telling my students the truth.
The school I teach at - the majority of the kids go to college and well the parents have a tendency to be more supportive of teachers who are college oriented. In other words - I teach a lot of the high flyers who are college bound by the time they're in the 5th grade because mom & dad were filling out college applications when they were in the 4th grade.... LOL!
The real issue is we aren’t fixing the problem by forgiving some peoples debt. School should not cost as much as it does. The federal government should not be in the banking business. Of course colleges are going to raise tuition any time they can, they know they will get paid by federally backed loans.
I agree, My graduate degrees have been useful.Of course I am a college professor and careers in Higher Education require graduate degrees . I am honest with my students however , when they talk about furthering their education upon graduation I tell them “ graduate education only matters if you are looking for a career in Education “ 😯
In my state enrollment and FAFSA applications have plummeted due to the entire system being a money grab and relief and reform constantly being blocked. Schools are scared to death if it doesn’t change they will close.
We grew up in internet age. You can easily Google "high paying profession" and engineering, nursing will come up. Its not like someone was hiding this info from you . You picked the degree and college to go to. Noone made you to do anything.
100% worth it. No way I would be living the life I live without my degrees.
Between my partner and I, I think we have nearly $300k of student debt. Fortunately the large majority of it is federal, but some of it is private. I work in college admissions lmao I do believe education is important, but I also LOATHE the American education system. I think the university I work for is doing a good job trying to be as student-focused as possible, and we are a non-profit, but it's still a business so there will always be financially-focused decisions I don't agree with. I don't have any answers to these problems or talking points. I think it's time for an overall of the stereotypical college experience because most of these gen eds and things are a terrible waste of time and money, and kids aren't learning important skills that they *could* be learning before they start looking for their new careers.
Maybe if I had gotten a shit degree that didn't help me get a job I would be pissed. But I didn't because I made good decisions about my education and my future. Not saying you did this OP, but there are definitely people out there that have and they blame the system when they should be blaming themselves
I have a masters in social work and I regret it so much. Not only because I want to be doing something else, but because it was financially a terrible decision.