New survey data from the nonprofit American Student Assistance shows that teen interest in college is down while interest in nondegree paths is on the rise.
Meanwhile, parents are skeptical of options outside the traditional college pathway to work.
Nearly half of all students surveyed – 45% – weren’t interested in going to college. About 14% said they planned to attend trade or technical schools, apprenticeships and technical boot camp programs, and 38% were considering those options.
66% of teens surveyed said parents supported their plans to pursue a nondegree route, compared with 82% whose parents encouraged them to attend college.
Out of twins, one is heading for trade school, the other will have earned half her undergrad by the time they finish highschool, with plans to go pre-med. One will make a great living as an electrician and the other will drown in student loan debt for years. I’m equally proud and supportive of their decisions.
If a parent is disappointed that their child is going for a trade, the only thing this shows is that the apple fell far from an asshole tree.
A physician “drowning” in student loan debt is still making bank, in my experience. Having a lot of debt doesn’t automatically mean you’re drowning, if you’re making $300K+, you will have no problem paying down that debt and living well at the same time.
Out of residency 200-300k is the starting pay too. Mid to late career doctors, especially the specialist, make major major money. What sucks can be long hours and major responsibility over human lives while being sleep deprived but the long hours can be matched by tradespersons while paying 2-10x less and being more susceptible to market downturns
You’re not wrong, but being concerned doesn’t mean being disappointed. Maybe use a less broad brush, unless you were intentionally just being provocative. In which case, tell your kids to cut down the asshole tree.