Gen X trucker whose dream was to go back to college in his 40s to study political science reveals why decision was a terrible mistake
A man who decided to quit his trucking job to pursue his dream of going to college has since regretted his choice.
Kenneth Ferraro, now 46, changed his life drastically in hopes of landing a better job after going back to school at the age of 40.
The Texas man drove trucks for decades, and although it provided him with a generous income, he was in search of something much more - getting a degree.
But now that he has his bachelor's degree in political science from New York University, Ferraro has struggled to land a job in a new field.
'After all my hard work and sacrifice, the only work that I have been able to secure is the same type of work that I have been doing my whole life,' Ferraro told Business Insider.
Kenneth Ferraro, now 46, changed his life drastically in hopes of landing a better job after going back to school at the age of 40 (pictured: Ferraro and his mother at his NYU graduation)
After high school he was not able to afford college, so he hopped straight into a career.
In 2018, he attended a community college part-time and instantly enjoyed his experience, leading him to drop his trucking career and focus on his future.
After getting his associate degree he went on to complete his bachelor's, but he's only been able to land a delivery driver position after racking up $100,000 in student loan debt.
He admitted that when he embarked on his educational journey, he knew that it would be 'financially crippling,' but he was willing to take the risk.
His mother, Lynn Ballester, posted a picture of her son in a cap and gown in 2022 at his college graduation as she shared how proud she was of him.
'So proud, he was driving [a] truck and making a ton of money. Then one day he said I am quitting my job, selling my house and going back to school!'
Ballester added: 'Then to apply and be accepted to NYU with one of the toughest curriculums and competition, I knew he [was] meant to succeed!!'
In 2018, he attended a community college part-time and instantly enjoyed his experience, leading him to drop his trucking career and focus on his future
Ferraro said that he thinks his age has played a huge role in his full-time professional job search.
He recalled applying for a job working for a government official in an entry-level position that he originally thought would be the 'perfect' fit for him.
His perspective changed when he went for an in-person interview with the hiring manager.
'As soon as the hiring manager saw me, his whole demeanor changed. He ran through the questions and never truly engaged with me,' Ferraro said.
He later discovered that he was not chosen for the position - something he thinks was decided based on his age.
'A man in his forties, who is the perfect candidate on paper, willing to work, willing to learn, and willing to apply himself to any task, is still a man in his 40s.
'Therefore, not a valid candidate,' he added.
Ferraro said that he thinks his age has played a huge role in his full-time professional job search. (pictured: Ferraro and his father in 2022)
Men in the US have struggled to find employment, as statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that as of June 89 percent of males are actively looking for a job or have one.
In 1950, 97 percent of American men aged 25-54 had a job or were on the hunt for one.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 44 percent of community college students and around 34 percent of college undergraduates are 25-year-old or older.
In November 2023, the unemployment rate of US college graduates aged 22-27 rose to five percent, compared to the country's overall rate of 3.7 percent.
With financial and emotional burdens weighing down on him, Ferraro went out to look for jobs in his old field- something he thought he would never have to do again.
Just when he thought it was going to be easy to hop back into the trucker life, he was stunned to find out an ironic factor that was holding him back to getting on the road again.
Ferraro's mom said that she 'knew he was meant to succeed' after dropping his job and completing school. (pictured: The two of them posing in 2020 after he was accepted into NYU)
He noticed that including his educational experience on his resume was actually making it harder to secure a job in the field.
'I did not start receiving interviews until I removed the education section on my application. My degree was holding me back,' he said.
Just before he started school in 2018, Ferraro secured a driving position that offered him 20 percent less than what he made before ditching his career for education.
'This situation is very frustrating. It feels like I am putting in so much effort, without any return,' Ferraro said.
Presently, Ferraro is back to driving trucks during the day, and attends graduate school at night.
He is working toward his next degree- a master's in public administration.
Although he openly admits regretting going to college, he is hopeful that his degrees will one day pay off and land him a job he's always dreamed of.
