My associate at work and I....got into a discussion today. He'd been out over the past week and attending a social event within his church. He's a church elder and dispenses advice on occasion. So a young lady from the church who is a Georgetown college individual came up for a chat. She's finishing up her degree in social work....and just wanted his impressions.
He sat and mostly listened. She has spent almost four years at Georgetown, which costs a ton of money. She's borrowed and will have to spend at least ten years paying off this significant amount of money (likely over $80k). He sat there in total amazement....for a degree in social work....you could have done this at some state-level college (without any name value) and likely borrowed $40k maximum.
My associate kindly pointed this out....you will spend a whole decade of your life....working toward paying for this degree. In her logical mind....the name value of Georgetown made this worth the effort.
I sat and pondered over this. The thing is....the only places in America where she can get a starting salary of $45k for her field work....is DC, New York, and probably LA. Philly, Chicago, Boston, and Miami would be a step down.....maybe a $1k less. But in eighty percent of America....your starting salary for a social worker would be roughly $28k. She's going to be anchored to the DC for the rest of her life.
The positives? She has name value and she has connections. As some former college buddy gives her a name and possible position....she'll use her connections and degree from Georgetown to sidestep things.....and maybe by age 45....she might be making $80k as a social worker. In most of America....you'd kinda max out at $45k.
Maybe there is a logic to this game. Maybe she will eventually pay off the degree and by age fifty....be successful with the Georgetown label. The curious thing for me.....forty years ago, anybody with a year or two of college could be a social worker....even with a degree in physical education. We've specialized this field to the extent that colleges now see a great moment to entice you to spend $80k that you don't have.....just to become something....that you might not be sure of.
Only in America.
