I’ve always loved education, but after six semesters at college and thousands of dollars in student loans, I had three realizations that changed my idea of what makes for a “worthwhile” education.
First, despite my love of learning, I could tell that I had made a mistake by pursuing a degree in philosophy, since it was unlikely to result in a career that earned enough to swiftly repay my student loan debt. Second, I found that what I love even more than learning itself is having a practical way to turn all that knowledge into action. And third, I discovered a new career path that strongly resonated with my growing desire for hands-on learning, and it didn’t even require a four-year degree. However, it did require me to make a choice that many people might look down on: I dropped out of college and enrolled in trade school instead.
