Reader Story : How Graduates Can Control Life & Student Loans

Are you looking for advice on how to pay off student loans? I put together comprehensive guide to conquering student loans. The problem is that I’m just one person. I love to hear from others about student loans and mastering money in your 20s.

Studenomics is and has always been about the community. I’m just an obnoxious and high-energy blogger without you guys. I love to share your stories, failures, and triumphs. Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact me if you have a cool story you want to share. If you recently lost your virginity, fell in love, started a new site, paid off debt, or found a sweet gig — please do share it with us!

I wanted to highlight a reader and new-blogger, Kevin of Graduating From Debt.

Take it away boss!

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How’s Kevin dealing with paying off student loans?

Martin was kind enough to contact me and he wanted to share my story with his audience. I’m like millions of recent college graduates. I graduated in debt with student loans; $12,600 to be exact. Even though my loan amount is lower than average I still felt the weight of this debt mentally.

Being a civil engineering major, it took me 5 and ½ years to graduate. I should have graduated in 4 ½ years but I was enjoying college too much and didn’t want to graduate in time. In hindsight I didn’t want to go in the real world and escape the safe college bubble. I didn’t want to grow up.

In 2009 with the global economy in the tank I decided I didn’t want to pursue a career in engineering. I had a couple of internships the previous summers and I didn’t like working 60 hours a week doing RFP’s at 6 in the morning. I had a job offer to work for the expansion of the Panama Canal but I declined the offer.

This was a difficult decision at the time. I knew wanted a different career. I decided I wanted to do sales. I had worked at a few sales positions in the past and I thought I would enjoy it more. My parents thought I was crazy but I knew it was the right choice.

Finding the first job after college experience.

Right after I graduated, I got a job with a telecom company selling bundled internet services. The rest is history right? Wrong!

I was fired the 3rd day of training! They didn’t think I was sales material. Whatever that means. Too be honest I did mumble a few times during my presentations but I still can’t understand how they fire someone they barely know. I didn’t know at the time but looking back this was a huge blessing. It made me realize that I wanted to start my own business and work for myself one day.

The economy was horrible and it took me another 7 months to find another entry-level sales position. At the time, I was living with my mother and since I didn’t have any income coming in I had to resort to using my credit cards for my expenses and bills.

It took me 6 months to get my first deal at my new company. This adversity gave me a burning desire to succeed. Once I started getting deals and hitting quota consistently I changed my priorities in my life. I no longer looked forward to weekends like most people. I looked forward to Monday which became my favorite day of the week.

I wrote what I what I wanted to accomplish in my life and in order to do these things I knew I had achieve three things:

1. Freedom.
2. Mobility.
3. Revenue streams of money.

I knew every time I made a sale I moved closer to my goals. I knew I wanted to pay my debt but didn’t know the first thing about personal finance.

What’s next with student loans and life?

Looking back when I was in high school and even college I wish I knew more about student loans and the pros and cons. After reading a few books on personal finance and reading several blog posts, including the one on starting an online business, I decided to create my site.

I wanted to create a site in order to help people, as well myself get out of debt, gain financial freedom and ultimately make money work for you.

I’m happy to say after almost three years I am $750 dollars away from paying all my student loans. Once I get debt free I will start investing and putting my money into good use.

Thanks for reading!

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Thanks for sharing Kevin! I think it’s smart that Kevin took some time to enjoy college. You have to get the fun out of your system. It’s also cool to hear that Kevin is so close to the end. You too can get to this level. Anyone can.

If you’re young enough, I recommend checking out my tips for graduating from college debt-free. If I could do it, so could you. There’s nothing stopping you. The tips are straight to the point.

I also suggest checking out Brenda’s advice for how to pay for college. You readers make Studenomics possible! I want you to pay off your student loans so that you can live the rest of your lives.