Like in art, a few make it but the reality check is that most don't. Freedom is fun when young, but less so when you see a +40-year-old with a family at home working late shifts delivering fast food.

Having worked 15 years as a university assistant professor I'll be the first to say there are much better options today. Getting a college degree is primarily for people who can't properly think for themselves, proof they are certified docile conformists. Which used to be fine in a slow-moving and stable world with little competition, let alone international. But it doesn't teach you the most important 21st-century skill: the agility in learning to learn.

All curricula of the traditional disciplines consist of : 1. learning the core principles, 2. course material for the various specialisations 3. practising. 4. unnecessary garbage.

1. can be done time and cost-effectively by choosing the best MOOCs (some even come with certification of participation) many are free like at the Khan Institute, Practical assistance can be found using AI's like Google NotebookLM etc. 2. This knowledge changes fast. Best learnt on the job what and when you need it 3. My advice is to spend your money here by investing in at least a year as a trainee at the person/company in your field you feel most passionate about. Save for this and go for it. Don't take no for an answer.

Because proven skills and talent show. People who count all know this. (except in protected professions like medical doctors) The most difficult part is finding where your talent lies and where your personality matches with the type of work and people you will be working with. But again today great tools are available that can help find the way like Crystalknows, etc,:)