Joseph Violi
Detroit, Mich.
I took out more than $200,000 in student loans to become an attorney. But because I had average grades from an average law school, I bounced around the legal temp market for a while.
When the stock market crashed in 2008, even finding temp work became a struggle. I had to return home. I was 29, admitted to the New York Bar, and living in my parents' house in Detroit -- not exactly the future I had envisioned for myself when I signed my life away in student loan debt.
After a year, I finally landed a teaching position at a for-profit college, and I immediately fell in love with being in the classroom.
I have since been promoted twice, but I am not making nearly enough money to cover everything. I even picked up a second gig as a trivia emcee just to supplement my income.
I feel like I am doing everything right. I have a lot going for me - I'm personable, I'm smart (at least I like to think so), and I don't let the tough times get me down. That being said...I can't seem to catch a break.
NEXT: Trying to get started
