2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I Will Die With Student Loan Debt [View all]Paper Roses
(7,473 posts)I'm an old timer who was lucky to be able to get a college education. Back in the early 1960's, I went to school with funds left to me by a relative. My parents were poor. I was lucky. Used all of a $4,000 inheritance to pay room, board and tuition. My parents paid the rest from limited savings.
When my children were of college age, my late husband and I said we would pay for their 4 years with the agreement that they would work summers and save for school. They were also required to take 'at school' jobs to help. We were thankful that somehow we managed to get them through without student loans. We went without so the kids could start their lives without burden. We took the loans and paid the bank for years.
My Point! This could never happen today. The costs of education are so far out of reach of 'every-man' that it is beyond the means of most people. Parents taking loans to help, great if you can do it.
Young people need an education in order to move forward in this very pressured world. My opinion? Go to a state trade school, get real training, maybe get your hands dirty but find a trade that will always be in demand. Costs are far less, the demand will always be there. Far less need for big loans. Secure future. The world will always need a plumber or any other viable trade.
The days of elite careers seems to be waning. Earn a living, forget the big degree career.
My opinion only but I feel strongly that the young need to reassess their goals. Life is more than a title. You need to be able to afford to live.