WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY: A THREAD. Several emails from parents of teenagers asking for my take on what I would've done differently, if I knew what I know now. I knew I wanted to work in something that used mathematics. Not knowing any better, I borrowed my way thru 1/x

the local state school as math major. If I could do it again, I'd take all the math courses at the community college. Calculus is calculus, stats are stats, etc. I'd have started coding sooner, taking at least one class at a CC (mostly to take advantage of tutoring). It 2/x

took me awhile to understand how I learn coding best -- projects. Get a data set, then think through how to analyze it. What are good questions to ask if I'm going to use this to make decisions? Then take those coding basics and add a lot of googling and question asking of 3/x

a programmer friend (which I am lucky enough to have, love you @drrollergator ) or, in the CC class scenario, the tutors there. Once I had a couple of projects completed that demonstrated proficiency in coding and data analysis, I'd start trying to network and see if it was 4/x

possible to find an employer anywhere who'd give me a chance. If that fell through, I'd take the rest of the CC offerings until I maxed them out, and only transfer to the 4-year school when there was literally no other conceivable way to get the credential. If I had done 5/x

things that way, and no employer was willing to give me a chance (unlikely IMO, as I'm a disabled woman and diversity points are so hot right now) then, worst case scenario, instead of $80,000 in debt I'd have about $50,000. Still a lot, but better. I recommend this approach 6/x

if a teen has STEM interests--max CC offerings, code, get as much IRL experience under your belt as you can. Parents can help w/ $$$ support so the kid can afford to find a local company and work part-time for free/little (living at home should make this doable for many). 7/x

If a teen has non-STEM interests, I would ONLY send them to college if they have a free ride through sports or some other means, or if you have the money to write checks. My English major friends are mostly nannies now, with no hope of paying off their debt. /end