A Librarian’s Story
I owe $75,000 in student loan debt. This is for 4 years of college, and a dual masters degree. Unfortunately, because of the economy there are no positions that pay above $35,000 a year — and, again, that’s with 2 Masters’ degrees, and experience! I can not pay for my student loans and housing. I work for the public as a librarian, and make the same as I did as a receptionist in 2000.
I’m harassed by a private student loan collectors saying that “We helped you when you needed it- Now pay us back!” When I try to explain that I can not afford what they are asking they will not budge at all nor negotiate.
I had one guy even say he knows plenty of librarians who make good money - “You shouldn’t have taken that low paying job!” Um- would you rather I be not working at all??? Even forgiving half would make everyone’s life easier to handle. No one can get ahead without education, but it is so expensive to go to school that it is death sentence to try to improve your life. Instead it is a life of servitude.
