Student Loan Debt: The Silent Killer of the Current and Future Innovation and Diverse Talents.

Today, student debt has become the new monster facing most of the underprivileged and hardworking talents who believe that acquiring new knowledge is the pillar of advancing our global society.

Before you read too far, this article was written by an underdog who fully understands the value of higher education and its impact. He is carrying out this postmortem as a career and higher education mortician, a self-taught and self-funded through schooling for most of his life.

This analysis is not meant to criticize the existing systems but to enlighten those willing to learn through lived real-life experiences, comfort those on this painful journey, and encourage those in authority, power, and positions of influence to take the necessary actions to eradicate this deteriorating human versus academic tuition catastrophe.

On a lighter note, a quick check on Investopedia shows that European countries are leading in offering free college tuition, with countries like ?Norway, Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, and Denmark. If these countries can do this, why would any other stable and caring nation fail to offer the same service to its beloved citizens?

The high cost of education versus Return on Investment.        

Growing up, I was advised that becoming a great person in Society was challenging and could only be overcome by taking a profession like veterinary doctor, bank clerk, or lawyer. Like any other needy kid, I obeyed the first commandment and had to follow the education path.

Before long, I realized neither of the careers mentioned was good for me, and I got an escape route into technology. But not even that could save me from the monster of experiencing a vast education tuition burden. At the same time, I am incredibly proud that I have been able to take the risks of spending my earnings on educating myself and have had a career working with reputable institutions on various continents.

The cost of education, transitions to get those promised great careers, and the associated stress may sometimes overshadow the realized benefits.

Employer choices and sector comparisons        

As I began my career, I researched enough to understand. I was guaranteed that technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, or data science would be the best bet for a job with a return on investment. However, in my experience, that's far from the truth, especially if you are an underdog. You have limited choices and stagnant career growth unless other hidden market conditions change to favor you, and even then, the question remains: How long will it take?

Working in the public sector has been the most rewarding in terms of offering time to return to school and study and providing partial tuition support and potential commensurate promotion to the right job that fits the skillset learned. However, remuneration may not be as enticing as in other industries.

While the non-profit organization offered plenty of resources, a network, and study time, a return on investment in such an environment proved challenging.

Due to a highly selective process, the private sector may be superficial in this area. Even after the studies, most employees find themselves cornered in a way that prevents them from utilizing the new skills they have acquired due to the cutthroat nature of the business and hierarchies in these organizations.

Today, I find myself lamenting the decision to leave the public sector role in favor of joining the private sector in the early days of starting my latest degree, missing the golden opportunity of the public sector student loan forgiveness.

Student loan debt trap        

This is a hot potato, and as we approach the end of the year 2024, many of us will be working hard to untangle ourselves from this deep and dangerous web.

In my experience, if you don't have a full tuition or education tuition sponsor who is fully committed and transparent in providing the tuition, the debt trap is easy to fall into as we fight poverty and strive for career growth besides other historically inhibiting barriers.

The easy sell is that once you are admitted to a school and have access to student loans, you should be fine after graduation. Likely, it may not occur if you are still tied to other financial obligations. The hidden tricks are within the amount you get, the repayment plans, the interest rates, your economic status, your organization's financial health, and the study time to graduation period.

Stress and career impact        

While most people are self-driven and will do anything possible to acquire higher education, that comes with financial, emotional, and psychological stress that our systems never address.

The expectations and the bar set for these individuals are always high. Society overlooks their sweat and blood, which fuels the banks and credit score machines, while leaving them to be vulnerable to anxiety and stress.

Losing their creativity or innovation or never utilizing their knowledge at the ripe moment.

Threat to the Society.        

Student loan debt is a killer venom to the best-hearted humans, risk-takers, innovative, and self-driven.

In my cross-examination as a technologist and cybersecurity professional, advancing in higher education was an opportunity to develop new leadership tools, strategies, and means to stop global cybercriminals.

In contrast, what may keep us awake in the next few years is not necessarily the bad guys but most likely the student debt payments, which directly threaten one's livelihood and existence. However, a hard-working and passionate person can be about the profession and the safety of Society.

Individuals may be left with no option but to fully engage their brains in resolving their education tuition debts and protecting their finances rather than utilizing their new skills or investing in advancing the profession or the Society.

Suppose this is the trend in every field and every sector. In that case, we risk losing well educated, creative, and passionate individuals who care for the most critical systems due to our inability to support their education and tuition needs, the main tools necessary for their trade.

Society's role in easing student loan burden.        

Society needs to zero-rate public higher education tuition, following the great examples from the European nations. It doesn't make sense that we all want to hire and work with great, well-educated colleagues and produce high-quality products and services, yet we want to achieve that through the back door.

Government role.        

The governments should develop legislative reforms to reward self-funded individuals who take student loans.

Self-funded graduate students should be tax exempted from an equivalent of the number of years of study from their latest advanced degree and until they achieve a pay raise that can support the loan repayment without jeopardizing or sacrificing the support for their families.

Individual role.        

Be highly cautious of student loans and the burden that comes with them, and understand where, truthfully, your employer stands in offering tuition compensation or compensation for the advanced education.

One should obtain as many free scholarships as possible and only spend your money once you are financially capable.

Donate, Donate, Donate if you are out there and believe you have something extra to share instead of discretionary spending or buying unnecessary gifts for Thanksgiving.

This Year, consider making a meaningful sacrifice by donating to your local University to sponsor a student or a few students.

Disclaimer: Opinions, views, and suggestions are based on the author's personal life and as an underdog career experience.