#1) Intern, shadow, and research your intended career field ASAP.
Interning, shadowing, and researching your field of interest is really something you want to do before accruing $80,000 in student loans on a degree you may have chosen just for the sake of choosing SOMETHING. Also, once you land that internship make it YOUR opportunity to research your field vs. just as a resume builder. Before and during college I did complete internships that really helped put my field of interest into perspective. I can also say that it added value to my resume, helped me gain experience, and land a great job, which was the goal. Looking back, I realize that my mentality was to show employers that I possessed the work experience proving that I was a good fit for the company, vs collecting my OWN experiences and information to see if that particular role was a good fit for ME. Essentially, I am just saying take the reins of your own education and career path before spending a boat load of money in student loans.
#2) Make Investing in YOUR DREAMS a number one priority.
When I say invest in yourself I mean EDUCATE yourself by reading books, attending seminars, listening to podcasts, and taking online courses that speak to the field you are most passionate about. Also, finding a GOOD mentor is so helpful when it comes to building a circle of community for guidance along the way. Whether you have met this person or not, the simple act of reading their published work can help you gain valuable knowledge. After doing the work of feeding your dreams with knowledge you could find that the traditional four-year university track may need some tweaking to fit your particular path towards your dream.
#3) Dodge debt when you can.
College can be SO MUCH fun amidst all of the papers, exams, and studying, but it can also be SO expensive. There are different paths to receiving an education that don’t necessarily include living on campus, attending a university all four years, or going out of state. Many students have options to take college courses in high school or attend community college for the first two years.
Staying home with parents while achieving a degree may not seem appealing to the average teenager looking to attend college, but could help save on living expenses. Lastly, out of state tuition fees were a huge deterrent for me from attending school out of state. A scholarship to an out of state school is AMAZING, but if you are using loans or paying as you go you may want to think twice.
And lastly, consumerism debt is something to dodge if at all possible. Making frivolous purchases to “Keep Up With the Joneses” may not be your thing, but what do you do when you NEED transportation to and from school and work?! When considering keeping your sum of debt as low as possible, buying a car that’s not-so-stylish but in excellent working condition using cash or taking out a smaller loan may pay off in the long run when starting off adult life with no other financial support than yourself.
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