Interesting Rolling Stone article on college debt

[Colleen27]

It's funny that most people think the way that THEY did it is the best way, and that is great that it all worked out for them. I have worked at both Community Colleges and large Universities, and recommended that my kids start at a four year institution. In my experience, the education at the four year Universities was vastly better than the Community Colleges. I have discussed with other people the benefits of their kids going to a 2 year college becuse I truly thought that would fit their circumstances better, but I knew what I wanted for my own.

I'm not sure I agree. I know a LOT of parents who are pushing their kids to do the opposite of what they did - high school educated parents who feel lack of a degree held them back pushing their kids to go to college, parents who went into the trades and were devastated by the recession/housing collapse steering their kids away from the trades into more highly educated fields, parents who are struggling with student loan debt pushing the trades/community college, etc.

My husband is a blue-collar tradesman, I'm a college educated professional. He had a much harder time accepting our son's decision to go into a trade than I did, and I have more misgivings about my daughter's intended path of a low-paying career that requires an advanced degree.

 

[rotlex]

I'd be curious to know what trade/certification type work your wife got 30 years ago. Is she also in the computer field?

She's been a stay at home mom, more work than I would ever be able to deal with, for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked in construction for custom home builders doing interior design, decorating, and a host of other things. She hopes to go back to that one day, but frankly, it's extremely time consuming and we have gotten rather used to her being home for now.

 

[Christine]

She's been a stay at home mom, more work than I would ever be able to deal with, for the past 10 years. Prior to that, she worked in construction for custom home builders doing interior design, decorating, and a host of other things. She hopes to go back to that one day, but frankly, it's extremely time consuming and we have gotten rather used to her being home for now.

Thanks, just wondering since you indicated that both of you went into the trades. As I posted much earlier in the thread, for a woman, a non-college "trade" often doesn't come with the benefits and pay that it does for traditionally male-oriented trades such as electrician/welder, etc. Woman are usually relegated to the service industry and more creative efforts such as hairstylist, interior design, personal organization, and similar fields. All which can be great if you can own your business but certainly not as safe as being in a trade with a pension and that sort of thing.