In a recent episode of the Level Up Podcast, co-host Addison Wiggin put it simply—and powerfully: “We need to make skills and trades cool again.” It’s more than a catchphrase. It’s a cultural rally cry. For too long, the trades have been quietly essential, but socially invisible. While skilled labor powers the backbone of our economy, it rarely shows up in career day presentations, glossy brochures, or aspirational TikToks. But it could—and it should. If…
Reimagining the Career School Experience When we talk about college, we don’t just talk about classes and credits—we talk about the experience. The late-night study sessions, campus life, dorm room memories, and student clubs. For many, it’s about personal growth, independence, and connection just as much as academics. But what if you choose a different path—like trade school? For students who want to learn a skill and have a meaningful, connected student life, trade schools…
What happens when a generation is told there’s only one path to success—and then that path doesn’t pan out? We’re living the answer. Across the country, nearly 40 million Americans have what researchers call “Some College, No Credential.” They started their higher education journey with high hopes but never finished—and now carry the burden of student debt, lost time, and stalled career momentum. This isn’t just a personal challenge. It’s a national problem—one fueled by…
Think back to your high school experience. Odds are, the loudest voices—teachers, counselors, media, even family—urged one path above all others: college. Meanwhile, the trades sat quietly in the background, often framed as a “Plan B” for students who didn’t “fit” the academic mold. This didn’t happen by accident. Over the past several decades, traditional four-year colleges won the marketing war. They captured the narrative, redefined what success looks like, and in the process, pushed…
From Back-Up Plan to First Choice Ask a high school student what they want to do after graduation, and you’ll likely hear the word “college.” Ask them if they’ve considered a career school—a program focused on trades, technical skills, or certifications—and many will look puzzled or unsure. That reaction isn’t accidental. For decades, vocational education has lived under the shadow of the four-year degree, seen by many as the back-up option for students who “couldn’t”…
Why Career Education Deserves a Fresh Look Remember when graduating high school and learning a trade was a perfectly respectable, often celebrated, life path? Wanting to become a mechanic, an electrician, a dental tech, or a machinist were suggested paths to building a stable, prosperous future. These roles were seen as skilled, essential, and worthy. But somewhere along the way, that narrative changed. Suddenly, “success” was redefined. A four-year college degree wasn’t just one option—it…
On a recent Level Up Podcast episode, co-host Addison Wiggin posed a provocative question to Certified Financial Planner Preston Zapffe: Should 401(k) funds be allowed to invest in private equity? The discussion tapped into a deeper tension in American finance—between access and exclusivity. Preston sees potential for expanding opportunity. Addison, however, voiced sharp concerns: private equity, he argues, is simply not built for average retirement savers. Their conversation inspired a bigger question: What is private…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Austin, TX — June 24, 2025 — Dealing With Debt (DWD), the nonprofit social platform dedicated to financial education and community-based wellness, proudly announces its new membership with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). This strategic move furthers DWD’s mission to support financial literacy and wellness across diverse educational environments—empowering students and recent graduates to build financially healthy lives. As colleges and universities nationwide work to…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Expanding Financial Literacy Support to Trade Schools Nationwide (view official release) Austin, TX – June 20, 2025 Dealing With Debt (DWD), a nonprofit financial literacy and wellness social media platform, is proud to announce its acceptance as an Allied Partner Member of the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), the national association representing postsecondary career education institutions. This strategic alignment marks a significant step in both organizations shared mission to prepare…
There was a time when people dreamed big, saved slow, and bought only when they had the cash in hand. Our grandparents told stories of scrimping for years to buy a car. Of walking past store windows and saying, “One day, when we’ve saved enough.” That mindset wasn’t about deprivation—it was about pride. It was about ownership that was earned, not borrowed. But something shifted. And now? We live in a country where the question…
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