I think the push for everyone to get a college degree is bad career advice.
After hiring a guy who learned his trade at a community college in Tulsa, I saw his work quality match a 4-year grad's within a year, for half the student debt.
But isn't the real problem the idea that everyone needs the same path? That Tulsa guy proves there are good options. A focused trade program or an associate's degree can be perfect for many careers, like welding or IT support. Pushing only four-year degrees ignores how many great jobs don't actually require one.
Yeah, that Tulsa program is a good example. But how do we actually fix the high school guidance system? Counselors are still measured by how many kids they send to four year colleges, not by how many find a good fit. The pressure comes from parents and rankings, too. So even if the options exist, the system pushes against them.