(1) Do you consider the education you received to be worth the money you spent?
Yes. I'm also in Australia, so have what's effectively a low interest loan - but I do still have to pay it back (currently 6% of my income goes towards that, with the tax I pay).
The reasons I say it is worth it:
- I needed these qualifications to do the work I do
- I did further study to improve my skills, and it has helped me become a better teacher
- The cost would not be significantly different for other places in Australia
(2) Are you working in the field you initially wanted to work in?
Not exactly. When I first started university study, I wanted to work in Engineering. I changed my mind about two years into that course, but since then I am working in teaching. I have just completed a Masters that will qualify me for guidance counsellor work - that will happen eventually (so will be a yes as well).
(3) About how much debt had you accumulated by the end of your studies?
I honestly don't know. Currently I still owe around $30k. I've paid off something like $20k+ over the time that I've been working and studying (and wow, that does seem like a bit). Over here we have income tax deducted from our pay automagically, uni loan repayments also happen that way - so I don't pay too much attention to how much.
(4) Did you receive any significant scholarships after entering college?
Nope. Apart from the student loans, did not receive a cent
