Let’s Talk About – Every Kid Does Not Require College To Be Successful
Disclaimer: Good Day, Readers. WealthBuildingPowers blog is a financial literacy/competency blog and does not provide specific investment recommendations.
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A Myth Putting Too Many in Useless Debt
The message has been the same for years: go to college, or you will be a broke man walking. Universities that have been increasing tuition at a rate two to three times the inflation rate perpetuate this lie. Even worse, many politicians (speaking of zero value) are constantly selling this magic bullet. After all, they are multi-millionaire college graduates, even if most of their wealth came from insider selling and bribes.
I do not know how this myth started, but I never believed it because I met successful, everyday Americans who did not attend college. This one-sided campaign pressures students, parents, and policymakers into believing that ANY four-year degree is the only way to financial security and middle-class stability. Do you know how many people with useless degrees are working at Starbucks? Only slightly more than the number of parents who cashed in their retirement savings for that degree!
Success and financial security depend more on discipline, work ethic, and intelligent life choices than on a college diploma.
1: Finish High School at a Minimum AND continue building the knowledge required to be successful.
FINISH HIGH SCHOOL. Then, continue building the knowledge necessary to achieve success. Options include Trade School, Community College, Manufacturing Internships, and University, among others. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among high school dropouts is more than twice that of high school graduates. Additionally, those without a diploma earn considerably less over their lifetime.
But high school isn’t just about securing a job—it provides exposure to fundamental life skills, networking opportunities, and the discipline needed to advance in the workforce. A diploma signals to employers that an individual can commit to completing tasks, show up on time, and follow through—all essential qualities for career success.
2: Get a Job
There’s no substitute for *getting to work. While college provides specialized training for specific careers, the truth is that many lucrative jobs don’t require a four-year degree. Skilled trades, including plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, and welding, offer competitive salaries, benefits, and job security. Meanwhile, fields such as real estate, sales, logistics, and entrepreneurship, as well as careers like airline pilots, allow individuals to earn well above the national average without a college degree.
Hardworking individuals who show up on time, take initiative, and consistently improve their skills stand out from the competition. These individuals advance, receive promotions, and ultimately earn salaries comparable to or even higher than those of their college-educated counterparts.
Many CEOs, entrepreneurs, and successful professionals credit their rise to the top with hands-on learning in the workplace rather than formal education. The ability to adapt, persevere, and gain practical experience far outweighs the value of classroom lectures.
Additionally, working early allows individuals to avoid student loan debt, one of America’s most significant financial burdens. Many young people graduate from college with tens of thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, struggling to find a career that justifies the financial strain. Meanwhile, those who enter the workforce immediately begin earning and saving.
First Marriage, Then Kids!
Two versus one is better for parenting and budgeting! This is the most underrated key to financial success—*waiting until committed/married to have children. *It’s setting up a stable environment for long-term success.
The Brookings Institution highlights a significant yet straightforward reality: couples who marry before having children are substantially more likely to escape poverty and achieve middle-class status. A two-income household creates a more secure foundation. Additionally, married couples tend to have stronger financial planning habits, which helps them build assets, purchase homes, and invest for the future.
The College Myth—Why the Narrative Persists
Why is college pushed so much, and college loans given out like jelly beans? The same reason EVERY Congressional bill is loaded with “pork” – FOLLOW THE MONEY.
FACTS
- Tuition Costs Have Risen Sharply: Public college tuition has more than doubled, while private college tuition has nearly doubled.
- Student Loan Debt Has Skyrocketed: Total student loan debt has increased sevenfold since 1995.
- Correlation Between Tuition and Debt: As tuition costs have risen, student loan debt has surged, suggesting that students are borrowing more to keep up with rising costs.
Colleges and universities have become multi-billion-dollar industries that thrive on tuition, government funding, and student loans. Promoting the college narrative ensures an endless stream of applicants, many of whom take on substantial debt to pursue degrees they may never use.
Too many High School students and parents are repeatedly told that skipping college equates to failure. Meanwhile, trade schools, apprenticeships, and alternative career paths are often dismissed despite their strong earning potential.
Some careers require a degree, such as medicine, engineering, law, and specialized fields; however, the notion that college is mandatory for everyone is false. Success is built on determination, discipline, and strategic decision-making, not a diploma. Too many degrees pimped by universities are an expensive joke!
By completing high school, entering the workforce, and establishing a stable family, individuals set themselves up for lifelong success. It’s time to rewrite the narrative—because financial security, personal growth, and middle-class prosperity are accessible to *everyone willing to put in the work. *
The paths to financial freedom are UNLIMITED. CHOOSE YOUR OWN!
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ABOUT ME
I am a proud nerd (as my beautiful wife and daughter have told me) investment and finance blogger with an NC. State, Chemical Engineering, University Rutgers, MBA and Harvard University, Advanced Management education.
I left a corporate career because I desired to make a difference as a speaker and writer. I was blessed to be coached and mentored by strong women and men in my family and professional life. It is my time to serve and give back.
DISCLAIMER
I started my first business at ~13 years of age (a small but brilliantly created plant nursery). I am a successful investor in stocks, options, and real estate and am happy to share my finance and investment lessons. I am NOT a licensed financial advisor. Please do not construe my suggestions on this blog as recommendations for your situation. As an investor, you must establish your risk/loss tolerance. Investment in any asset involves risk, including complete loss.
Please seek your licensed CPA or fiduciary financial advisors for individual financial advice.
I write this weekly blog to make an impact by reaching an audience and demonstrating the need for financial literacy. I will help you get there.
