Tea And A Slice

The freshman class of Bowling Green State University showed up for their first day of campus life last week. That first big day in both a student and parent’s life. The big step into the future for one and the last real grasp of the parental control for the other. The internet news has been awash with blurbs on the new college dorm room, the cost of living on campus, and the affordability or lack of for college tuition. Of course tuition is only part of the cost. There are books, lab fees, parking fees and the expense of either commuting or living on campus. College in the 21st century is like buying a house for my parents. It is their first major investment in the rest of their lives. It is also a burden that my generation was not forced to undertake.

College has become the grail in the march to get a good paying job in the United States. One of the biggest criteria for candidates looking for jobs in the business world is do you have a degree? The run of the mill places are not overly concerned from where you got your degree or your GPA. If you are looking at a specific job that requires the prestige of an Ivy League school, there is a different set of rules but for most Americans, a four year (five year) degree will suffice. What it is coming down to is how will it be paid for? We have saved some money for college for each of our children. It will not be enough to even cover a year’s worth of expenses at this point but it is seed money. There are other things they can do to speed down that road toward the American dream.

I worked part time at United Parcel Service when I went to school. They have programs where they will cover part or all of your tuition depending on what local school you go to. Plus you have the added benefit of making a decent wage, having medical coverage and you work at night so it does not interfere with class schedules. I also spent three years in the Army and contributed to the college tuition program. When I finally exited, I had $27,000 for school. Now that may not be the best plan if you hate hot weather and sand but it is an option. You can get an Associates Degree at a community college and get the crap classes out of the way for a lot less cost. You have an Associates Degree and you can take your advanced classes at a four year school and get your degree that way. There are scholarships, grants, and the dreaded school loans. Any and all combinations of these will work. If you can get in with a business that has tuition reimbursement, you can get your degree while you work and get the two for one. It answers that age old question of how do I get a job without experience and how do I get experience without a job. The American dream is not dead, it just requires a little forethought and planning. Maybe that is one of the courses they should teach before you go to school.

Icool

Cobb