In the late 90’s I was being overlooked for promotion after promotion because I did not have a degree.
In 1999, I changed employers to an employer that paid 100% of tuition and books as long as you were:
A. In a degree program that benefited the employer
B. Were a satisfactory employee
C. Got a grade of C or higher, (they did NOT pay for a C-minus)
I worked for them and earned my bachelor’s degree, and I paid not 1 cent of it.
When I finished, I was overlooked for another promotion. I asked if they would pay for grad school, they said yes.
I then earned my MBA.
Once my MBA was in-hand, I worked the requisite year after completing my degree to not owe any of it back, and then left the company for a much higher salary and my salary has continued to climb ever since.
Total cost was over $120,000 and 6 years of my life spent working and going to school full time.
Oh, did I mention I have no student loan debt either?
The opportunities are out there, you just have to think a little outside of the box and be willing to put in the work.
I put myself through school bartending and got a Bachelor’s in Biz Ad with an accounting concentration. No loans, paid cash for everything. That got me in the door to a national education company where I got my Master’s for free. You’re right.
Companies don’t do that anymore for the reason you lined out. That much cost to educate a worker and no pay back.
Tuition assistance has been eliminated in the last 10 years or so.
The opportunities are out there, you just have to think a little outside of the box and be willing to put in the work.
My story is almost identical to yours —company had a tuition reimbursement program and I also carried no student debt. The company got back so much more than what they paid for my degrees.
All looking for a job: Try to find a company that offers tuition reimbursement. I think that, along with health insurance, is probably the most important perk that could be offered. That perk offers you a future that no one can take away from you!