I took a job at age 18 after high school. I had an older sister and older brother who both went to (community) college, and there was no money left for me.
NOt wanting to take out loans, I worked in a factory, on all three shifts depending on what courses I needed to take. Took me seven years to get a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, and Mathematics. going to every college within a 50 mile radius of my home. My employer reimbursed my tuition for grades “B” or higher, I paid everything else while I worked 40+ hours. I did three semesters a year, Fall Spring, and Summers. No spring breaks, no vacations, no partying, or girlfriends, I worked and I studied.
After graduation, I was laid off two years later and went to work for an Ivy League College as an engineer shortly thereafter. I applied for the job from an advertisement in a newspaper. As a benefit I was able to obtain a Master’s Degree at no cost, working full time, and flexing my hours to meet the coursework schedule. Again, I studied, no vacations, spring breaks, or girlfriends.
It’s do-able if you set your mind to it. Manage your time, sacrifice luxuries, and other things.
This clown chose to stiff the taxpayer and we shoudl exact our pound of flesh from him. Prison, at hard labor for the repayment, and his living costs too.
Good, inspirational story. I hope you finally got a girlfriend. :)