It seems that every educator, official, non-profit head and parent are urging kids to go to college, whether they are interested in scholarly pursuits or not.

But there are young people who are making it in the world without a college education. Here are two of them.

Roz and “the love of her life,” as she puts it, are both 29 and live in southern New Hampshire. Roz is a hairdresser. Her boyfriend—let’s call him Josh—is a firefighter. Josh bought the 2002-built house they live in and pays the mortgage. Roz is responsible for the utilities. They aren’t married, but they are committed to one another, and probably will marry if and when they decide to have children, said Roz.

Neither Roz nor Josh went to college. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t prepared for life. Roz knew when she was 14 that she wanted to be a hairdresser. She styled and cut her friends’ hair, and after high school went to a beauty school. She called it a rip-off. But she put in the required hours and passed the boards. Then she got herself hired at salons whose owners she admired, in effect apprenticing herself to more experienced practitioners. Now she works four days a week and has a reputation for being a good colorist and stylist. She spends her free time cooking, hiking and homemaking. Continue reading →