I am a new parent. Just like every other parent, I love my child and want to see him succeed, and I often daydream about where he will excel in life. He’s only a toddler but already so smart, already figuring out technology like he had been practicing in the womb. I often think about his schooling (when he gets there) and where it will take him. And I also hear horrible stories about the rising costs of a higher education. I’d better start saving now, I find myself thinking on a regular basis. But should I save it for THAT purpose? I’m a small business owner without a business degree. Sure, it presents many challenges, but in this day and age, sometimes all you need is a GREAT idea, the book smarts to make it come to fruition, and the street smarts to market it correctly and get it out to the masses. The thought of sending my son to a university, only to struggle for the next couple decades of his life trying to pay off the stifling students loans he accrued, maybe with no guarantee that there will be any entry level positions in his field, sounds horrifying. It sounds like I’d be setting him up for failure. Maybe I should take my $40,000 and invest in his start-up, and forget school altogether.

The game is changing. The pressure we are put under to go to college starts very young. Elementary schools hang University banners in the classrooms, offices and cafeterias. The encouragement is everywhere. I grew up in a middle-class family, we did well for ourselves, we didn’t struggle, however, I always knew I needed to keep my grades up and hope for a scholarship. News flash, I got great grades, but no scholarship. The fear of the cost weighed on me.

And it’s no wonder. "Members of the class of 2016 who borrowed to finance their degrees will leave college with a record level of debt: $37,173 per student on average, according to calculations from student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz.”(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/congrats-class-of-2016-youre-the-most-indebted-yet/). That’s insane. What about the rest of your life? How can you hope to save up a down payment for a home, a wedding, a life? I’m fearful for the future generation. On average, it takes these alumni about fifteen years to pay off their debt. That’s not the life I want for my son.

The idea that you can do anything you want with some creativity and initiative is not just a romanticized fantasy. Technological advances have brought industry to our fingertips, literally. You can start a business with a small amount of experience, a dream, and virtually on the couch in your pajamas. You can design a logo, order advertising flyers, get financial backers through websites like Gofundme and Kickstarter. Online crowdfunding has absolutely revolutionized the world for today’s entrepreneur. And through it all, you can have a virtual office via websites and promote on several social media platforms for very little cost at all. Over half of today’s small business are run from the home. The sky is literally the limit. And our generation is making these dreams a reality. “Millennials demand comprehensive leadership and opportunities for growth within every position they fulfill. Transparency, collaboration, and a seamless work-life balance are vital not only to their comfort but also to their success within the workplace. Millennials also effortlessly adopt new technologies as they’re announced, therefore erasing the awkward adjustment phase every previous generation of offices has endured after a computer and equipment update.”(https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/270045).

Maybe we are changing the game, maybe we CAN come from nothing and build a small empire with determination, ingenuity, and a strong work ethic.

This notion that higher education (or lack thereof) determines whether or not a person can be an asset and a productive member or society is being challenged and it’s a beautiful thing to see. I do know that I will watch my son grow and cultivate his talents and interests as best I can. If he wants to go to school, I will do everything I can to make it happen. Maybe he’ll want to open his own restaurant, maybe he will become an NBA player, who knows? But we should all look at the many opportunities there are in the world today, and educate our children to look at them from all sides. Pushing them down only one path may not be their answer. I’m going to save my money and let him make that choice. I will be sure to let him know the difficult road that each choice may offer. Maybe he’ll choose to deal with the college debt, or maybe someday, I’ll be investing in my son’s future multi-million dollar idea.