I wanted to be a journalist, but I've resigned myself to the fact that I won't be able to support myself on an entry-level salary in that field. Instead, I took a temporary job providing customer service to a cell phone company
Barring any lottery winnings, I think I'm probably looking at taking the full 20 years to pay off my $80,000 in student loans. With interest, it will probably come to more like $120,000 in the end.
Because of my debt, I can't afford to marry my girlfriend of five years (she's still in school herself, on loans). I don't want to buy a cheap engagement ring -- I want to be able to do it right.
I take full responsibility for my decisions, and believe me, I'd like nothing more than to "grow up" and pay my debts, but the truth is -- I feel like I spent my loans on a future that I simply did not receive.
Getting a good job is no longer about just working hard or getting a degree, and many people don't appreciate the opportunities that existed for them before.
