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Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

A $5,000 award can feel like a win. But it doesn't answer the question that matters: why is your child going to college? I share a call with an 18-year-old and her parents. Her school cost about $19,000 a year. She had no major picked out and no clear career goal. Her parents were worried about the cost, but they didn't want to lose the merit aid.

I see that discount as a sales tool. Colleges want students to enroll. An award can make a family feel chosen and make walking away feel like a loss. I break down the gap between a big sticker price and the bill you're still agreeing to pay. Saving money on a degree your child doesn't need is still spending money.

Before you read an award letter or tour a campus, ask what your child wants their life to look like. Use the Degree Free 4: work schedule, income, work setting, and location. Those answers help you find careers that fit. Then check whether a degree is required and whether the cost makes sense.

If your child has no clear reason to go, help them find direction and useful entry-level work first. College can come later if a career calls for it. The point is to buy training for a clear purpose, instead of letting a discount choose your child's next step.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Most families plan the college step before they plan the career. We think that is the root problem. The FutureEd report "Future Shock: The Crisis in Career Navigation" shows how few teenagers feel ready to choose a career, even while many plan to buy a college degree. School counselors cannot solve this alone.

The average counselor serves hundreds of students while also handling college advising, mental health needs, and urgent crises. There is no realistic way for one person in that role to research a custom career plan for every young adult. Parents also confuse career options with training options.

College, trade school, and the military are ways to get somewhere. They are not careers. Start with what your child wants their work and life to look like. Then find careers that fit. After that, identify the skills, licenses, certifications, or degree each career truly requires.

We also explain why vocational creativity matters. Young adults choose from the work they can see. Parents can expand that view by pointing out the people behind everyday work and by helping their child try small, real actions. A young person who wants to create content should start posting, not buy a content creation degree first.

The goal comes first. The method comes second. The credential comes last, if it is needed at all.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

I watched George Kamel ask a high school student about her plans. She said she had to go to college to get paid, then named pediatric sonography. When asked about debt, she said she would borrow up to $300,000 because she expected her degree to pay it back. Her answers show what happens when young adults are asked to choose a career before they know what they need from work.

I don't blame her. Adults reward answers that sound impressive. They also offer a narrow choice between college and trades such as plumbing or electrical work. Those trades may fit some women. But they are only a few of the paths open to your daughter. Sales, technology, and other skilled work may fit her goals too.

The point is to find the fit before choosing a path. The sonography example makes the cost of guessing clear. Diagnostic medical sonography can often begin with an associate's degree or a certificate, rather than the four-year degree and huge debt the student imagined. But even a less costly program is a poor choice if the hours, setting, or work itself do not fit her life.

Liking children or wanting to help people is not enough to settle those questions. Start with four things: schedule, income, work environment, and location. Ask your daughter which matters most and what she needs from each. Then look for careers that match, check the real entry requirements, and work backward to the classes, training, and first job she can pursue now.

A clear plan protects more of her choices than a degree bought on a guess.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Colleges are facing a financial reckoning. Moody's expects more private colleges to run at a loss, and closures can leave students with debt but no credential. We share one case where a nearly finished dental hygiene student lost her program overnight. If your child needs a degree for a licensed career, checking the school's finances now belongs on the list with income, schedule, work environment, and location.

Student debt does not disappear when borrowers get older. Millions of Americans over 60 still owe student loans, and some face collection through Social Security. Younger borrowers hold larger balances while wages have not kept pace. That means today's families are taking on more risk than the generations already struggling to retire.

Trust in elite colleges is falling too. We trace that loss of trust back to price, value, and accountability. A famous name cannot protect a family from a bad purchase. And switching the default from a four-year college to community college or trade school does not fix the core problem.

Start with your child's goals. Ask what they want from their location, income, schedule, and work environment. Then work backward to the education, license, skill, or experience that serves that goal. The destination comes first. The institution comes last.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Parents worry that skipping college will trap their teen in a job with no future. But a job is only a dead end when it does not serve a clear goal. The same grocery store role can become a holding pattern for one young adult and the first rung of a management career for another. I call the right starting point strategic entry-level work.

A young adult starts with the life they want, finds work that can provide it, and then identifies a role they can enter now. From there, they build skills, earn certificates or licenses, gain experience, and move up. Starting at 18 also gives them time to test a path while their costs and obligations are low.

College graduates still need strategic entry-level work. They often reach that starting line years later with debt, higher pay expectations, and little work experience. Meanwhile, an 18-year-old can spend those same years getting paid and building a track record. The test is simple.

Ask what job your child would take next month. Then ask what that job builds toward. If they can name the skill, experience, promotion, or career it leads to, the job may be strategic. If they cannot, even an impressive title can become a dead end. A clear goal protects them, not a piece of paper.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Recent college grad underemployment is at 42.5 percent, but that problem did not begin with AI. Many grads leave school without work experience, expect pay their skills do not support, and struggle to get the first job that can shape the rest of their career. Colleges would rather blame AI than admit their product is not preparing many young adults for work.

The fear also looks bigger because the loudest layoffs get the most attention. University staff and other online professional groups receive long news stories when their jobs disappear. Other workers often lose jobs with far less coverage. AI companies added to the fear by promising that their tools would replace whole groups of workers.

Those same companies still hire highly paid engineers. What we see instead is a low-hire, low-fire market. Companies know AI will change jobs, but many still do not know which tasks it should handle, what it will cost, or which people they need around it. The tools can produce more work without producing better business results.

We expect work to change and grow, not vanish. That makes direction more urgent for your child. One family waited more than a year for clarity to appear on its own. Their hardworking young adult stayed employed but had no career target. Parents do not become job market analysts overnight.

Once you know direction is the problem, shorten that lost window. Turn goals into a clear plan with real next steps.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Parents often say they do not want college for their child, but they still fear taking away the college experience. I break down what that phrase really means. Most families are thinking about friends, parties, games, an apartment, independence, and time around other young adults.

None of those things require enrollment. The two things that create this experience are proximity and free time. Your child can move to a college town, live in many of the same off-campus apartments, and find strategic entry-level work. They can join a gym, sports league, church, volunteer group, class, or professional meetup.

They can also build the skills, licenses, and certificates that help them move forward at work. After four years, they can have the same social life as enrolled students plus work experience, a professional network, a resume, and savings. College enrollment is facing a demographic decline, but many college towns still draw new residents.

The town and the age create the experience. A degree is not the price of admission. I also explain how a clear 12-month plan can tie the move, the job, the skills, and the social life together. Your child does not have to choose between independence and a career. With some planning, they can build both without the debt.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Merit aid sounds like a reward. We think parents should see it as a sales tool. We start with a Ramsey Show caller whose family already has $200,000 in debt, student loans, a home equity loan, and a large mortgage. His daughter receives merit aid, and that small discount helps make another round of borrowing feel reasonable.

But nobody asks the first question: What career does she want, and does it require a degree? We explain why merit aid works like a coupon. The college attaches status to the offer, tells your family the award reflects your child's hard work, and makes walking away feel wasteful. Colleges can also study a family's income, work, and assets to estimate what they may pay.

The aid is not the value of the degree. It is the discount the school believes may close the sale. Then we look at the college enrollment cliff. Fewer young adults are reaching college age, but many families are also choosing to leave the college line. The University of Oregon expects far fewer nonresident freshmen and a major tuition gap.

Hannah warns that colleges will chase new sources of full-price tuition as that pressure grows. We close with one practical test for degree holders who cannot get hired: make a second resume without the degree and compare the response. Stop defending sunk costs. Test what employers value now.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Parents hear engineering and picture one path: choose a major, buy a four-year degree, then apply for a job. That skips the most important question. What type of engineering fits the life your child wants? I explain what a Professional Engineer license is and why most engineering work does not require one.

Then I walk through roles beyond civil engineering and architecture, including industrial, manufacturing, field service, HVAC, sales, security, and automation engineering. Many of these paths start with technician work. Your child can enter early, gain real experience, and learn whether the field fits before paying for school.

The Degree Free Four gives your family a place to start. Define the schedule, work setting, income, and location your child needs. Then research the engineering category that matches those needs. Use the rest of high school to build useful proof through shop classes, certifications, internships, and part-time work.

I also share Aiden's story. He left Texas A&M, built a plan around his real goals, and started a field service engineering role without a degree. The point is not that nobody should buy a degree. It is that college can wait until your child knows exactly why they need it. Start with the goal.

Then shorten the distance to the right entry-level work.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

The degree-free shift is not just happening in the United States. China removed or suspended more than 12,000 undergraduate programs while adding new programs tied to fast-moving technical fields. In South Korea, SK hynix removed degree rules from major technical roles. In the United Kingdom, Marks & Spencer opened 1,000 training places for young adults.

Even Trend Hunter now uses "degree-free" to describe this change. There is a reason this is happening. Technology moves faster than college programs can update. Employers need people with specific skills, not four years of broad coursework and no work experience. Paid training lets a young adult learn the job, build useful skills, and grow inside a company without starting adult life in debt.

We also wrestle with what "educated" actually means. A degree is not proof of literacy, critical thinking, or job readiness. We do not fully agree on the best way to measure education, but we agree colleges should define what they sell and be held to that standard. Cutting a bachelor's degree from 120 credits to 90 does not fix the value problem by itself.

Parents still need to start with the life their child wants, find the work that fits it, and question every requirement before buying a degree.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

The college experience is not something a school owns. It is the pattern of life many young adults enter between 18 and 22. They have more freedom, more time, and more chances to try new things. That is why this age can bring close friends, a spouse, a network, and real growth with or without a campus.

I share what happened after I left college. I moved out, worked full time, lived with roommates, learned to pay bills, handled conflict, and met my husband before I turned 21. Those friendships lasted because we built a real life together, not because a school scheduled us into the same place.

College friendships often scatter after graduation, while local ties can keep getting stronger. Parents can help create this pattern on purpose. Start with strategic entry-level work, roommates when that makes sense, and two or three recurring groups. Toastmasters, dance lessons, maker centers, language meetups, community groups, hobbies, and volunteer work all put young adults near people who can teach them and open doors.

The choice is not college or isolation. Your child can build community, skills, work history, and independence at the same time, without taking on debt for access to this age experience.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

A father earning $140,000 a year feels guilty because paying for his children's college could put him in debt. That guilt is common. Parents are told that buying a degree proves they love their child and protects their future. But signing a loan without a clear career reason can put retirement, savings, and the whole family at risk.

We also look at the gap between what college students believe and what employers see. Ninety-three percent of undergraduates feel ready for work, but only 54 percent of employers agree. About 70 percent of employers say recent graduates need extra training. Ryan lived that gap himself.

He felt ready after college, yet his internship and first jobs showed him how little he knew about doing real work. College is not job training. Employers used degrees as an easy hiring shortcut, and families paid the price. Now more companies are removing degree rules and bringing training back inside the business.

They need people who can do a specific task well, communicate, learn, and add value. The best move is to shorten the time between high school and your child's first strategic role. Let work build the wider knowledge that college promises but often fails to give.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

I am talking about young men whose sadness, anger, or anxiety comes from being stuck without a clear goal. I am not talking about a diagnosed mental health disorder. For a son in this situation, the feeling that he is going nowhere may be accurate information about his life. Talking can help him carry that feeling, but it will not give him a path.

The answer is not any random job. Busywork still feels pointless when it has no goal attached. I call the better option strategic entry-level work. It is a real role that leads toward a career he chose. It lets him earn money, build useful skills, gain experience, and get honest feedback from the world.

That progress creates a positive loop. He sees why the work matters, so parents do not have to nag or push. I also lay out the three moves that keep young men stuck: sending them to another school without a goal, treating a direction problem as something talk alone can fix, and giving them more time with no plan.

The better move is to start with the life your son wants. Define his income, schedule, work setting, and location. Then work backward to careers, required skills, ways to learn them, and the first strategic role. He does not need to reach the finish line right away. He needs ownership of a plan and proof that he is moving.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Young adults are moving to college towns without enrolling. They are living near people their age, working strategic entry-level jobs, earning credentials, and building professional networks. They still get the social parts parents want from college, but they avoid tuition and loans.

Some can even rent off-campus student housing without being students, which may give them independence with some staff nearby. We think this can be a smart way to launch a young adult, but only when it serves a bigger plan. Start with the Degree Free Four: income, schedule, work environment, and location.

Then choose the work, skills, certifications, sports, events, and volunteer commitments that move your child toward their goals. If parents are helping with rent, they can set clear goals and make another year of support depend on keeping those commitments. College towns make it easier to meet people, play sports, and find things to do because many residents are the same age.

Yet falling enrollment may change those towns over time. We do not know whether young people will keep moving there if a college shrinks or closes. The larger point still stands. The college experience is really the experience of being young, and families can build that experience without buying a degree.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Parents are told college will give their sons structure, maturity, friends, and a career. The data does not support that promise. College students report high levels of depression and anxiety. More than half of graduates start underemployed, and many remain there a decade later. Debt can delay marriage, homeownership, business ownership, and family life for years.

I share Aiden's story. He left an engineering program with no direction. Once he figured out what he needed from work, he found a field service engineering role within three weeks. His plan gave him the momentum college had not. My research found that fewer than one in ten U.S. jobs are legally gated by a degree.

STEM is not a guarantee either. Most science and engineering graduates do not work in STEM occupations. The better starting point is the life your son wants. Work backward from his ideal schedule, income, location, and work setting. Then find entry-level work that lets him build skills and test a career before paying for school.

If a degree becomes necessary later, an employer may help pay for it. Waiting can also change how FAFSA treats his income. Not wanting college is not a failure. It can be a smart correction.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

We want to talk about the worst advice we give young women right now, and it's this: if your daughter wants to be a stay at home mom, she needs a backup plan, and that backup plan should be college. We've been hearing this from financial personalities, guidance counselors, and well-meaning parents for decades.

It sounds responsible. It isn't. Here's the thing. College as a backup plan is not a backup plan. It's a hundred thousand dollars and five-plus years of your daughter's life spent building debt that will follow her into her marriage, prevent her from staying home with her children, and force her into full-time work she never wanted.

We've seen this play out over and over. A lawyer making $75,000 a year, unable to leave her job, six weeks after having a baby. Teachers messaging us in tears because they can't afford to stay home with their own children. Moms who went back to school, got the degree, and still can't do the one thing they actually wanted.

Women now hold two thirds of all US student loan debt. That's nearly $929 billion. And a huge portion of those degrees are in fields that don't pay enough to justify the cost, let alone give a young woman the flexibility she needs when she has a family. The real backup plan for a daughter who wants to be a stay at home mom is a high-earning, flexible, in-demand skill.

Something she can build now, maintain while her children are young, and return to later on her own terms. Architectural drafting. Court reporting. Medical billing. Construction scheduling. Freight brokering. These are real careers with real income and real flexibility. None of them require a four-year degree.

If your daughter knows what she wants from her family life, the job is to build her career around that, not against it. That takes planning. It takes strategy. And it starts now, not after four years and a diploma she'll never use.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

The college experience is one of the biggest reasons parents push their young adults toward a degree. But when you pull it apart, the experience people are describing has nothing to do with college. It's just what happens when you're between 18 and 22. You grow up. You make friends.

You figure out who you are. College doesn't cause that. Age does. Take the spouse myth. Less than one in 100 American couples today met on a college campus. Most people now meet online, at work, through mutual friends, or in their own neighborhoods. The data is clear. If you're sending your child to college so they can meet their future partner, that plan is not working.

Friendships are the same story. 57% of college students report feeling lonely. Colleges promise a rich social life and then don't deliver. And when graduation comes, whatever social structure existed on campus disappears overnight. Your child has to start over in a new city with no network and no idea how to build one from scratch.

Contrast that with a young adult who spends those same years going to local meetups, joining a run club, volunteering, playing community sports, or showing up to a chamber of commerce meeting. They're building real relationships in the place they actually plan to live. Those friendships don't evaporate.

That network grows. Gen Z already gets this. They're going back to third places. Dances, book clubs, gyms, churches, community leagues. They want real connection with real people. Your child can have all of that without $100,000 in debt hanging over their head. The college experience was never about college.

It was always about the years.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

We got a call from a mom who was doing everything she thought she was supposed to do. Her son was 19, had left college, left trade school, and was stuck at home feeling depressed and directionless. Her solution was a life coach to help him feel better about where he was. We get why she did that.

But we think it's the wrong move, and here's why. A lot of what looks like executive function problems in young men this age is actually just a complete lack of direction. When you don't know where you're going, you don't know what to do. And when you don't know what to do, you freeze.

That's not a character flaw. That's a predictable outcome of having no clear path. What these young men actually need is work. Real work. Entry level roles where they show up, do the job, and earn respect for it. That process builds them. It gives them somewhere to put their energy.

It gives them a reason to get up. Sitting still and working on your feelings does not do that. The other mistake is telling them to just get any job. That's better than nothing, but it still leaves them in the wrong vehicle heading somewhere they don't want to go. What actually works is figuring out what they need from their work, finding the right strategic entry level roles, and building a real 12-month plan to get there.

We've done this with young adults for years. Parents tell us their child becomes a completely different person almost overnight. Not because we fixed something broken in them. Because they finally had somewhere to go.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Here's the thing most parents don't know: "degree required" on a job posting almost never means legally required. It means a company added a filter to avoid defending their hiring in court, a direct result of a 1971 Supreme Court case called Griggs vs. Duke Power. Degrees became a litigation shield, not a job requirement.

And now that shield is crumbling. States across the country, red and blue, have stripped degree requirements from state jobs. Pennsylvania freed up 92% of state jobs. Massachusetts freed up 90%. Maryland saw a 41% increase in degree-free hires after making the change. The federal government just removed degree requirements for all federal IT managers.

And companies like Google, Apple, IBM, and Walmart have already dropped or are planning to drop bachelor's degree requirements entirely. The real number that matters: only about 14.8 million U.S. jobs legally require a degree, and 38% of those are just three roles: registered nurses, elementary school teachers, and high school teachers.

Teachers alone make up 25% of every legally gated job in America, and they earn 7% below the U.S. median. That is not a strong argument for the degree filter. The right move for your child is not to pick a major. It is to start with the life they want, figure out what they need from work, identify careers that fit those needs, and then find strategic entry level work.

Get hired first. If a credential is actually required and worth it, many companies will pay for it. That is exactly what happened with Quinn McLaren, who broke out of college, got hired as a real estate financial analyst at a Fortune 50 company, and had his employer fund his CPA credential.

The system rewards people who show up, apply anyway, and build real skills. Your child can be one of them.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

We want to talk about what is actually happening to young men right now, and why college is making it worse, not better. The data is not subtle. Gen Z men with college degrees now have the same unemployment rate as degree-free Gen Z men. Four out of ten students who start college never finish.

Of those who do graduate, 41% end up working jobs that never required a degree in the first place. And the mental health picture on campus is not better. Depression and anxiety are the most common outcomes we see, not employment. The reason most parents miss this is that they are not in the classroom.

They see the grades drop and the mood tank, but they do not see what is actually happening inside those classrooms. Professors who cannot communicate clearly. Coursework with no connection to real American hiring practices. Career centers handing out personality quizzes and calling it guidance.

Here is what we know from working with these families directly: 18, 19, and 20-year-olds are not hard to place in entry level work. Employers are more willing to hire a young adult with a little hustle than a recent grad who expects a salary that does not match the role. The problem is that most families have never even tried that path.

They go straight to college because that is the only option anyone handed them. The fix starts with one question. Not what major, not what college. What life does your son actually want? Start there. Work backwards to the career that fits it. Then find the strategic entry level work that gets him moving.

That momentum is what these young men are missing, and it is completely within reach.

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 16-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

The whole K through 12 system is built around one goal: college enrollment. Schools track it, report it, and put it on banners. But enrollment tells you nothing about what happens after your child signs the form. So let me show you what the numbers actually say. About 62% of high school seniors enroll in college.

Only 7% of jobs legally require a degree. That means we are sending eight times more young adults to college than there are degree-required jobs waiting for them. Of every 100 students who start a four-year degree, only 47 finish on time. A third never finish at all. And of those who do graduate, only 27% will work in a field related to their major.

Put it all together and the odds that your child enrolls, graduates on time, and works in their field of study is about one in seven. On top of that, 52% of recent graduates are underemployed one year out. And 45% are still underemployed a decade later. Meanwhile, parent plus loan debt has grown 77% in the last decade, at an interest rate of nearly 9%.

The average borrower takes 17 years to pay off their loans. That debt delays homes, marriages, families, and businesses. At more than one in four American colleges, the typical graduate earns less than a high school graduate 10 years after enrolling. The fix is not to panic. It is to change the question.

Stop asking what college your child should attend. Start asking what they need from their work to live the life they want. Answer four questions first: what income do they need, what schedule fits them, what environment do they want to work in, and where do they want to live. Work backwards from those answers to find the right career.

Then, and only then, ask whether that career legally requires a degree. For most careers, it does not. And the path in without a degree is faster, cheaper, and less risky than the one in seven shot the brochures are selling you.

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to their future career: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want to guide your child to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book/

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to their future career: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Want to guide your 16-20 year old to their future career: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book

Want to guide your child to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book/

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Helping your child explore different interests and possible career paths early on can shape how they see themselves and their future. In this episode, we share simple ways parents can help kids under 15 discover new skills, build confidence, and stay curious about the world around them.

Many kids only know a handful of careers because those are the jobs they see every day. We talk about how to expand that vision through exposure, real life examples, and what we call vocational creativity, so they can imagine a wider range of possibilities without feeling pressured.

You’ll hear ideas for using everyday experiences to spark curiosity, simple at-home activities like the Job Limit Inventory, and ways to support skill building and exploration now, before specialization becomes important later in the teen years.

This conversation is for parents who want to open doors for their kids, encourage curiosity, and help them explore the world with confidence instead of feeling rushed to choose a single path too soon.

Want to guide your child to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book/

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Many parents feel overwhelmed when their teen is getting close to graduation and still doesn’t have a clear plan for what comes next. In this episode, we talk about how to help your teenager make real, informed decisions about their future — whether that includes college, work, training, or another path.

We explain why most high schools focus on college admissions instead of life outcomes, why that leads families into expensive mistakes, and how to flip the process so your teen chooses the right path based on their goals, needs, and the kind of life they want to build.

You’ll learn a simple framework parents can use to help teens:

• Understand the difference between choosing a major and choosing a career
• Clarify what they want their life to look like before committing to college or debt
• Use the Degree Free Four: income, location, work environment, and schedule to find careers that actually fit
• Build direction and confidence instead of rushing into the wrong decision
• We also talk about why debt limits options, how to avoid pressure-based decisions, and why teens don’t need all the answers yet — they just need a plan that moves them in the right direction.

This episode is for parents who want to support their teen with clarity, logic, and real-world thinking instead of guesswork and stress.

Want to guide your child to careers that help them reach their goals? Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/book/

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

In this episode we talk about one of the biggest challenges parents face today: helping young adults find career direction when they’re out of high school, in college, or unsure whether college is the right path. Drawing from our experience working with hundreds of students and young adults, we break down the three most common “lost window” scenarios and explain why so many young people feel stuck, confused, or unsure what to do next.

You’ll learn a simple and practical career planning framework for young adults that helps families clarify goals, evaluate real-world options, and decide whether to stay in college, leave college, pivot toward work, or explore alternative paths. We also walk through how to talk to your child about their future, how to help them make decisions logically instead of emotionally, and how to support them without pressure or panic.

This episode is designed for parents who are searching for guidance on:

• How to help an adult child who has no career direction
• How to support a child who left college or wants to leave college
• How to help a college student choose a major, career path, or next step
• How to guide young adults who feel lost, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do after high school

If your child feels stuck or uncertain about their future, this conversation will help you build clarity, confidence, and a realistic plan for moving forward with purpose.

Want a custom career plan for your 18-20 year old? Apply for the Degree Free Launch Program: ➡️ https://degreefree.com/launch

Check out our workbook set: ➡️ https://shop.degreefree.com 

Make the most of family gatherings for your teen’s future.

In this episode, we dive into a challenge many parents face: those sometimes awkward family or friend gatherings where everyone wants to know, “So, what’s your kid doing these days?” Instead of dreading the BBQ small talk, we share practical strategies to help parents turn these seemingly casual conversations into real networking opportunities for their degree free young adults.

Join us as we explore the different paths young adults can take after high school. 

We focus on how parents can support their teens in discovering the right next step, whether that’s jumping into a job, learning a trade, earning a certification, or launching a business.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Ways to encourage teens to explore work and learning opportunities that fit their interests and goals - How to ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and set clear expectations - The role of internships, part-time jobs, and hands-on experience in helping teens find clarity - Why building a strong support system matters during this transition

Join us for more insights on navigating the post-high school journey. 

Remember to celebrate each milestone with your child and trust in their ability to forge their own path. 

Stay connected and engaged in their development process.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → http://degreefree.com/book

Join us as we discuss the empowerment and benefits of taking a Degree Free path after high school graduation. 

We address the temporary feelings of isolation and guilt that parents and students may experience during the graduation season, but emphasize the long-term advantages of avoiding student loan debt and pursuing different pathways.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Highlighting the importance of supporting and celebrating a child's decision to create their own path, build real skills, and enter the workforce directly. - Outlining the 5 Degree Free Pathways, including entering the workforce, pursuing on-the-job training or apprenticeships, starting a business, or seeking different education options. - Emphasis on tailoring education and career paths to individual interests and goals, rather than following a predetermined college route.

Join us as we empower parents to be proud of their child's unique path and encourage them to support their journey to a successful and fulfilling future. 

Learn how to guide young individuals in crafting their own educational and career paths, and discover the relief and freedom that comes with realizing that a degree is not the only path to success.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book

Join us as we explore family trusts and how to use them effectively for your child’s future.

We discuss the importance of understanding individual needs and providing guidance for parents to help their children identify options and prioritize needs and wants.

What You’ll Learn:

- Differences in goals and priorities for individuals with trust in pursuing career goals - Expanding awareness of job opportunities through Vocational Creativity™ - Importance of not limiting options for individuals with trusts by focusing on a specific industry too soon - Roles of wealth advisors and family offices in supporting clients with different educational goals and needs

This episode sheds light on the advantages that individuals with trusts have in investing in their children's future without worrying about immediate financial returns. 

Learn how to encourage children to pursue their interests and provide necessary resources and support. 

Tune in for valuable insights on navigating the world of trusts and setting up future generations for success.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → http://degreefree.com/book

Join us as we dive into the topic of managing funds in a 529 plan. 

We address a question from a parent who is uncertain about how to handle the money in their child's savings plan if college is not pursued.

What You’ll Learn:

- Exploring the tax advantages and qualified expenses associated with 529 plans - Discussing options such as changing beneficiaries, rolling over funds to a Roth IRA, or using the funds for education paths like trade schools or apprenticeships - Highlighting the implications of withdrawing funds from a 529 plan, including tax penalties and advice from financial professionals

Join us as we navigate the complexities of managing a 529 plan and provide valuable insights on making informed decisions regarding education savings. 

Whether you're a parent planning for your child's future or seeking education paths, this episode offers practical advice and considerations to help you navigate the financial landscape.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → http://degreefree.com/book

Join us as we discuss the evolving role of high schools in preparing young adults for the future. 

We delve into how high schools are falling short and the rise of the Degree Free movement. 

What You’ll Learn: 

- The challenges high school students face in transitioning to adulthood. - The necessity for high schools to adapt to better equip students for the job market and uncertainties of the future. - How parents are reevaluating the education system and taking more active roles in their children's learning journeys. - Practical steps parents can take to help their young adults plan for a successful future and navigate financial and career decisions effectively.

Join us as we continue exploring the shifting landscape of education and the crucial role of high schools in shaping the next generation of workforce-ready individuals. 

Thanks for listening to the Degree Free Podcast!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → http://degreefree.com/book

Join us as we debunk common myths surrounding the necessity of a college degree. 

We address 3 myths that colleges use to convince parents to buy a college degree for their children.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Exploring the misconception that a college degree is essential for getting a good job, networking, and finding a spouse. - Highlighting the changing importance of STEM skills and the shift towards skills-based hiring in the job market. - Providing examples of successful Degree Free individuals and discussing the misleading statistics regarding college graduate earnings.

Join us as we challenge the traditional views on college education and empower parents to make informed decisions about their children's future. 

Remember, a degree is not the only path to success. 

Stay tuned for more myth-busting episodes on the Degree Free Podcast!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book/

Join us as we tackle a concerned mother's question about her daughter's career aspirations in art. 

The discussion emphasizes the importance of considering one's needs and goals before choosing a career path, offering guidance on exploring alternative options, and making informed decisions.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Distinguishing between passion and interest in choosing a career path - Addressing needs such as income, schedule, location, and work environment before focusing on interests - Exploring cost-effective paths to success in art without accruing significant student loan debt - Seeking validation through sales or publication in the creative industry - Building a career as an artist while maintaining financial stability

The Degree Free Podcast provides practical advice on navigating career choices and supporting artistic aspirations while considering financial implications. 

Tune in for valuable insights and resources to help make informed decisions on education and career paths.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book/

Join us as we dive into the pressure parents and young adults face when it comes to graduation and college decisions. 

We explore The 5 Degree Free Pathways as alternatives, such as getting a job, on-the-job training, earning certifications, starting a business, and learning a skill.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The benefits of gaining work experience or going through an apprenticeship - Highlighting lower cost and higher market value wages for high school graduates compared to college graduates - Importance of certifications and licenses, including examples from big tech companies and national bodies - Different pathways young adults can take to secure a financially successful future - Prioritizing certifications, learning skills, and customized career curriculums for success in the job market

Discover the advantage of exploring non-traditional pathways to success in education and career. 

Learn how to build a successful future by acquiring valuable skills and certifications. 

Stay tuned for resources to help young adults navigate a Degree Free lifestyle.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book/

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Samuel Ross, a successful entrepreneur who found his path to success as a Degree Free individual. 

Get ready to be motivated and learn valuable lessons from his story.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The journey of exploring different career paths and eventually finding success in sales and entrepreneurship. - The importance of taking risks, being resourceful, and persevering through challenges in pursuit of your goals. - Insights into starting a business, overcoming setbacks, and making decisions without permission. - Advice on exploring alternative paths to success and pushing through tough times to achieve your dreams.

Join us on this incredible journey of resilience, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship. 

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or seeking motivation to pursue your goals, Samuel's story will inspire you to keep going and never give up. 

Stay tuned for more episodes on the Degree Free Podcast!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book/

Join us in this eye-opening episode, where we explore how parents can guide their children towards success The Degree Free Way in 2025. 

Explore alternative options such as vocational programs, certifications, and boot camps for various fields.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Learn the step-by-step approach outlined in our workbook to help young adults identify career goals, explore job options, and make informed decisions. - Understand the importance of letting young adults express their thoughts and goals without interruption, and aligning their needs with career aspirations. - Discover the value of Vocational Creativity™, redefining success on an individual level, and supporting your child's unique goals and aspirations. - Utilize resources and constraints to guide decision-making and explore career options effectively with The Degree Free Way.

Don't miss out on valuable insights and strategies for navigating education and career choices in a personalized and strategic manner. 

Tune in to the Degree Free Podcast to empower the next generation for success!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.com/ and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book

Join us in this insightful episode as we discuss our predictions for 2025. 

From the growth of AI to the mainstream adoption of the Degree Free movement, get ready for an engaging conversation.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The continued growth of AI and its benefits for young adults in daily tasks - Predictions on mainstream adoption of the Degree Free movement  - The shift towards entrepreneurship and workforce readiness among Gen Z and the impact on college education - The idea of removing degree requirements for certain professions and focusing on licensing exams instead - Predictions for an economic boom driven by Gen Z entrepreneurship and changing perspectives on education by 2025

Stay tuned for more conversations on the impact of AI, education, and the future of work on Degree Free Podcast. 

Let's make 2025 a year of positive changes and opportunities for all Degree Free individuals. 

Until next time!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.com/launch/

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.com/

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.com/book/

Join us as we review our predictions from 2024 in the realm of AI utilization and the shift toward eliminating degree requirements for jobs. 

Discover how 16 states have already removed degree prerequisites for state positions. 

What You’ll Learn:

- Explore the success stories of companies like Canva, which have witnessed a surge in applicants after ditching degree requirements and adopting a skill-based promotion system. - Gain insights into the importance of widening the talent pool by removing unnecessary barriers in job application processes. - Get a glimpse of the changing landscape of skill evaluation in companies, emphasizing skills over degrees and predicting a transformation in job search procedures within the next 5 years. - Uncover the potential impact of AI and the rise of Degree Free alternatives in various sectors by 2025, bridging skill gaps and fostering innovation. - Delve into the trend of down credentialing in key sectors like medicine, technology, and teaching, paving the way for alternative teacher certification programs to address talent shortages.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation as we forecast the future of job requirements, skill evaluation, and industry trends. 

Reflect on the progress made in 2024 and anticipate the exciting developments ahead in 2025. 

Tune in to the Degree Free Podcast for more thought-provoking discussions on education, employment, and the evolving job market.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we discuss the importance of decision-making throughout life. 

Reflecting on interviews from 2024, we share key lessons on leveraging skills, the impact of first-career jobs, and the value of experience and mentorship without a traditional college degree.

What You’ll Learn:

- Leveraging existing skills when transitioning to new industries - The impact of first career job on future success - Value of experience and learning from mentors in the workplace without a college degree - Importance of persistence and building skills for job security

Explore stories of guests who pursued different paths without degrees, highlighting the importance of informed decision-making. 

Take control of your learning and career paths with available resources for self-improvement. 

Make informed decisions to avoid debt and pursue passions. 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we challenge the common belief that a college education is the only path to success. 

We explore alternative and cost-effective ways to gain valuable skills and knowledge. 

We discuss the struggles of a young adult feeling stuck in college and unsure of their career path.

What You'll Learn:

- The trap of endless college and the importance of learning through failure and taking risks to develop real skills. - The issue of accumulating student debt without a clear direction and the need for finding alternative learning paths with real-world skills. - Finding work environments that match preferences and needs, exploring career paths with flexibility and location independence, and the Degree Free Way to support young adults and parents in choosing non-traditional learning paths.

Join us in understanding the valuable alternatives to traditional college education, helping young adults make informed choices for their future. 

It's time to break free from the fear of failure and debt by exploring new learning paths and career opportunities. 

Don't miss out on this enlightening episode of Degree Free Podcast!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we tackle the question of whether a college degree is necessary for a career in production. 

We discuss the importance of gaining practical experience and building a portfolio in the industry, emphasizing the value of networking and starting in entry-level positions.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The importance of focusing on practical skills and experience rather than solely relying on a college degree - Using available tools like smartphones and apps to start building a portfolio and gaining experience early on - Advising against attending art school without a portfolio or clear career goals - Prioritizing needs and wants in a job to find a suitable career path - Using the Degree Free Way to identify potential jobs that align with one's goals

Join us as we challenge the idea that a college degree guarantees success and encourage listeners to prioritize real-world experience and networking. 

Make informed decisions about your career path and learn how to thrive in the art production industry. 

Tune in to the Degree Free Podcast now!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us for this thought-provoking episode, where we challenge the myths surrounding college education and debunk 7 myths about college based on an article from the LA Times. 

Explore why traditional learning may not equate to intellectual depth and the limitations of a college degree in today's job market.

What You’ll Learn: 

- Critique of the value of college in personal growth and career discovery. - Importance of developing practical skills and gaining experience over relying solely on traditional college programs. - Exploration of high-paying job opportunities without a four-year degree. - Debunking misconceptions about non-college routes and the necessity of a college degree.

Dive into the conversation on education, career paths, and the evolving job market landscape. 

Whether you're a recent high school graduate or considering a career change, this episode offers valuable insights to guide your decision-making process. 

Stay tuned for more eye-opening discussions on the Degree Free Podcast!

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! 

Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we discuss the importance of determining priorities and needs before choosing a career path for Crystal's 17-year-old son in the tech industry. 

By identifying the desired work environment, schedule, income, and location, individuals can find a career that aligns with their preferences and goals to thrive without needing a college degree.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The importance of prioritizing needs and wants when considering a tech career path, emphasizing the significance of filtering options based on preferences, and not limiting oneself early in the decision-making process. - The benefits and drawbacks of attending community college for tech training, the importance of thorough research, and Vocational Creativity™ in exploring different job opportunities. - Discussion on various computer tech jobs, specific job titles, training programs, and potential career paths in the tech industry. - Importance of targeted tech certifications over generic ones, researching job requirements before obtaining certifications, and pursuing education that aligns with career objectives.

Join us for a comprehensive discussion on navigating a tech career path. 

Learn about the importance of prioritizing needs and wants, exploring different job opportunities, and obtaining valuable certifications for career growth. 

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes on Vocational Creativity™ and effective career planning.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us for an eye-opening episode where we challenge the myth surrounding the necessity of a college degree for certain professions, using personal training as an example.

What You’ll Learn:

- The importance of Vocational Creativity™ and thinking outside the box when pursuing a career, highlighting how individuals can obtain certifications in a few months without a costly college degree. - Exploring Degree Free pathways to careers like engineering, where passing exams can lead to becoming a licensed professional without a degree. - The burden of unnecessary requirements for licenses in professions like nursing, accounting, and real estate appraisal, and the movement towards Degree Free options in various fields.

Discover how you can achieve your career goals without the burden of a college degree. Stay tuned for our upcoming Q&A episode to learn more about pursuing a Degree Free path to success.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we dive into the topic of breaking out of college and navigating conversations with parents. 

We explore the idea that education extends beyond college and offer a 7-step plan for young adults considering leaving college.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The importance of creating a work plan, setting goals, and focusing on mental health while exploring alternative education paths. - Researching job listings, acquiring necessary skills, and taking proactive steps toward building a career outside of college. - Avoiding student loans, finding ways to fund education independently, and gaining experience in desired industries through work. - Emphasizing the significance of living within means, securing support through follow-through actions, and taking ownership of one's educational and career choices.

Join us in reimagining education and career paths as we emphasize self-study, skill acquisition, and proactive decision-making.

Whether you're considering leaving college or seeking alternative educational paths, this episode provides practical steps to navigate your journey toward success. 

Take charge of your future and tune in to the Degree Free Podcast for inspiring insights and actionable advice.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we discuss the signs that a child should consider leaving college and explore alternative education paths. 

We delve into the importance of supporting your child's desires and goals over societal pressures to stay in college.

What You’ll Learn:

- Signs that a young adult should consider leaving college, such as asking for a gap year and not being taught subjects they are interested in - Challenges of the traditional college education system, including financing issues and lack of critical thinking in choosing educational options - The impact of college campuses creating a bubble that limits diverse interactions and infantilizes students - The importance of addressing young adults' complaints and interests and empowering them to explore interests outside of traditional education

Listen to the Degree Free Podcast for valuable insights on alternative education paths and empowering your child to make informed choices about their education and career paths. 

Don't miss out on understanding the root causes of dissatisfaction with traditional education and exploring innovative solutions to nurture your child's interests and goals.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book

Join us as we challenge the traditional views on trade schools and encourage individuals to pursue careers aligned with their skills and interests. 

Explore the dangers of societal pressures and the marketing tactics of colleges in this eye-opening discussion.

What You’ll Learn: 

- The importance of parents listening to young adults and supporting their career decisions based on their desires and interests. - Exploring the potential pitfalls of blindly promoting trade schools as a viable alternative to traditional college education without considering individual goals. - Highlighting the financial risks associated with trade schools and urging young adults to make informed decisions aligned with their desired lifestyle and career goals.

Discover the risks and rewards of choosing the right educational pathway for young adults with us. 

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes and share your feedback on our new discussion format.

Ready to set your teen on the path to success after high school? 

Apply for our Degree Free Launch Program and let's build them a personalized career roadmap: https://degreefree.co/launch

To keep up with everything Degree Free check out our website: https://degreefree.co

Your questions, answered on air! Head over to https://ask.degreefree.co/question and Ryan and Hannah will answer your question on the podcast!

Want to help your 16-20 year old build the life they want without wasting 5 and half years and going into crippling student debt?

Get your copy of "The Degree Free Way" workbook!

Guide your 16-20 year old to jobs that help them reach their goals. All while saving time and money.

Discover personalized career options and clear direction with this comprehensive workbook set.

Get "The Degree Free Way" Workbook here → https://degreefree.co/book