“Go to college, get a good job, and you’ll be set.”
How many times have we heard that? From parents, teachers, guidance counselors — all with good intentions, but maybe outdated advice. That old roadmap, once a trusted formula for success, doesn’t quite lead where it used to. For many, it feels more like a detour into debt, disappointment, and disillusionment.
The College Myth: Promise vs. Reality
There was a time when going to college practically guaranteed a stable job, a decent salary, and a clear path to homeownership. That narrative is what convinced millions to pursue degrees no matter the cost. It was seen as a surefire investment in your future.
But fast-forward to today, and you’ll find countless graduates staring at their student loan balances, wondering when — or if — they’ll be able to dig themselves out. Some are burdened with tens (or even hundreds) of thousands in debt, working jobs that don’t even require a degree, let alone pay enough to justify the cost of one.
It’s not that education doesn’t matter. It does. But the system around it has changed dramatically — tuition costs have skyrocketed, wages have stagnated, and the “safety net” of a degree isn’t what it once was.
So what happens when the promise doesn’t pan out?
Cue the blame game: “You didn’t pick the right major.” As if it’s your fault for studying what you were passionate about instead of calculating every career projection at 18 years old. No one mentions the 50% graduation rate, the massive interest accrued on student loans, or the fact that an entry-level salary hasn’t kept pace with inflation in decades. And don’t get us started on housing prices.
It’s not a personal failure. It’s a systemic shift.
The Real Issue: Mismatched Expectations
For years, the default narrative was: college = success. But the reality is more nuanced.
No one told you that you might graduate into a recession. Or that your “good job” would barely pay your rent. Or that you’d spend your twenties juggling multiple side gigs just to survive — all while paying off debt for a degree that may no longer feel relevant.
And while older generations might wave this off with, “You should be lucky to have a job,” you’re left wondering, is this really all there is?
This isn’t just about college. It’s about being told to follow a rigid path in a world that no longer rewards it the same way.
So… What Now?
We’re not here to bash education or dismiss hard work. But it’s time to reexamine the advice we’ve been fed — and start asking better questions.
Instead of:
“What school should I go to?”
Ask: “What skills do I need to build the life I want?”
Instead of:
“What job should I get?”
Ask: “What kind of work energizes me and creates value in today’s world?”
And instead of assuming that college is the only path, consider this: What if you could build something of your own? What if you could earn on your terms, grow at your own pace, and design a life around your values — not outdated rules?
There’s Another Way — But It Requires a Mindset Shift
The rules have changed. Stability doesn’t come from just checking boxes. It comes from adaptability, creativity, and courage.
Today, it’s possible to:
- Learn high-value skills online for a fraction of the cost of a degree.
- Start a side hustle that eventually replaces your full-time job.
- Monetize what you already know — your experiences, your knowledge, your talents.
It’s not easier. In fact, in some ways, it’s harder. It requires self-discipline, trial and error, and a willingness to break free from the “safe” script.
But it’s yours. That freedom? That autonomy? That fulfillment from doing something that matters to you? That’s what most of us are chasing — and what old advice rarely helps us find.
You Don’t Need to Follow the Old Blueprint
If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated because the traditional path hasn’t worked for you, know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not crazy.
More and more people are waking up to the fact that the rules they were taught don’t match the reality they’re living in.
You don’t need permission to pivot.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to start moving in a new direction.
What you need is clarity — about what you want your life to look like — and the willingness to question the old assumptions that no longer serve you.
Because if the advice you’ve been given only leads to burnout, debt, or mediocrity… maybe it’s time to stop following it.
There’s no shame in rewriting the rules. In fact, there’s power in it.
