How important is having a College Degree in the real world, or is work experience more important?

Education is expensive, but, it is likely the most important investment you will ever make in your future. You'll spend most of your life pursuing a career, and earning an income, so that you can take care of yourself and your family, at a level that makes you feel happy and satisfied with life. So, don't let the cost of college make all your decisions for you.

First decide what it is you think you might want to do. What type of career will be a good fit for your interests, personality, and talents? Then, figure out what level of education is required, in order to get there. Then, figure out a way to cover the costs.

If there's a specific trade job that interests you, then a Trade School program will be a much quicker, less costly means to that end. Plus, you'll get a much more specialized education, geared towards that specific trade.

If you aren't sure what type of career is best for you, start asking adults you know, what they like/dislike about their jobs. Ask if you can "shadow" an adult who has a job that interests you. Seeing what a typical "day in the life" looks like, can help you decide if it's the right fit for you. Take some free online courses, webinars or listen to podcasts that cover a wide range of topics from various career fields to learn more about what topics might be of interest to you. Are your favorite podcasts all about rockets and space travel? Maybe you’d enjoy a career in rocket science or aeronautical engineering. Online job sites like Glassdoor and Linkedin can give you ideas for jobs and likely salary ranges, too. Personality tests like Myers-Briggs can help you narrow down your choices to the careers that will most likely suit your personality type. Your guidance counselor at school should be able to point you to more resources, too.

If it turns out that a professional or scientific job would be a better fit for you, then a four-year college program is going to be your best path. A degree from a four-year college will give you more options across many professional and scientific fields, and most jobs in these fields will require a college degree, at a minimum. The good news is, many professional careers can and will, eventually, give you a positive return on your investment, due to a higher salary potential.

Now, how do you afford it? There are many ways to make a four-year degree more affordable. Here are a few ideas (excerpted from a response I wrote to another young person who, like you, is worried about the cost of college):

1. Apply for scholarships and grants. There are countless scholarship options, out there. Do a little research. Check your church, local government, even your parents’ employer may have scholarships you can qualify for. The electricity co-op in my community even provides scholarships for college students, each year. Get involved in some extra-curricular activities where you can show off your skills, talents, and leadership potential. This will help you get noticed for scholarships and grant money.

2. Apply for financial aid. This can offset much of the expense, and even provide payment and financing options that are favorable to students/parents’ specific needs. Your guidance counselor at school should be able to help you come up with a plan. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from reliable adults who may have experience with finances, and a credit history to help you secure loans.

3. Work part-time to help defray some of your expenses. Lots of jobs offer evening and weekend shifts, and you can make some income during the summers, too. Some career fields even offer paid internships for students, during summer break. These can help you earn a little income, plus give you experience, and potentially a “foot in the door”, too. Make a good impression, and they might just offer you a job, when you graduate!

4. Attend a community college for the basic classes, and then transfer to a university program, later. Tuition at a community college is generally cheaper, so you can minimize your cost, this way. You might also save on room and board, if your parents are willing to let you stay at home, while you attend community college.

5. Join up with a roommate, or a group of friends to share rent and living costs, both during school, and immediately afterwards. It may take you a few years, post-college, to pay off your student loans. So, splitting your living expenses with roommates can make life more affordable, until your salary picks up.

Whatever level of education you choose, it can turn out to be a positive investment that will pay off in the long run, both in terms of salary and job satisfaction. So, weigh your decisions carefully and invest wisely. Good luck!