In this video I’m talking to you like the real world is real—because it is. If you’re trying to figure out what degree to pick for 2026 and beyond, the easiest way I’ve found is to ask: what do you want to be 20 years from now? Before I chose electrical engineering, I looked at a bunch of degrees I was interested in, but I also knew the life I wanted later on was going to require funding. So I wasn’t about to pick something and “hope” it works out when the odds are slim and the bills are guaranteed. My main rule is simple: if you’re going to get a degree, you should be able to pay it off within one year of working that job. I break down how student loans can turn into a chain around your neck—especially if you borrow big money and go into a field where the pay doesn’t match the debt. And I’m not just talking about you as an individual: think family, parents getting older, buying a house. You can do art or business and still be debt-free if you play your cards right, but don’t pick a degree only based on what you “enjoy” without thinking through the long-term chess pieces.