As the class of 2025 prepares for the leap into life after high school, Penelope Masotti, a high school senior, is charting a less traditional course. With a passion for cosmetology and a pragmatic view of the future, Penelope is opting for trade school, joining a growing wave of Gen Z students redefining what higher education looks like.
Penelope’s choice aligns with what NPR experts are calling the rise of the “Toolbelt Generation.” Faced with skyrocketing tuition costs and mounting student debt, as well as being a part of the largest graduating class ever recorded(about 3.9 million), many 2025 Gen Zer’s are opting for trade schools that offer financial relief and job stability.
“I come from a decently well-off family—like if I wanted to go to college, it wouldn’t ruin my life,” Penelope says. “But I am aware that college costs a lot of money, and from doing comparisons of local colleges, trade schools, and cosmetology schools, it just seems like a better idea to go into a trade so I can have a stable career and make money.”
Her decision partially stems from years of exposure to the industry due to her mother’s profession.
“I’ve kind of grown up in a salon and barbershop because my mom is also a hairstylist. It’s a path I really do enjoy, and I can see myself doing,” Masotti said.
A study conducted by Pew Research Center has found that about a third of people 25-39 who have at least a bachelor’s degree and outstanding student loan debt say the benefits of their degree weren’t worth the lifetime financial costs.
Penelope’s journey into cosmetology isn’t just about sticking with what she knows; it’s about pursuing something she genuinely loves. Currently enrolled in a barbering class at the local community college as part of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, she’s already gaining hands-on experience.
“I am pretty passionate about it. I am taking a barbering class at the community college for a CTE course,” she says.
While she’s excited about the path ahead, Penelope remains open to the possibility of pursuing a more standard degree.
“If it’s a long-term career path, I think that’s great, but I’m also aware of the fact that I am doing this so I have something to fall back on if I need to,” says Penelope.
Cosmetology isn’t Penelope’s only interest. She’s also passionate about fashion design and sewing, skills she’s considering exploring further through community college courses.
Penelope’s story reflects a broader societal shift. According to NPR, many students believe that learning a trade offers better economic security than immediately pursuing white-collar careers. For Penelope, choosing trade school is about more than just financial practicality, it’s about taking control of her future on her own terms.
“I think it’s a little silly that we’re expected to, as fresh-out-of-high-school teenagers, choose a degree that I may end up hating in the end with loads of student debt,” she says.
Student loan debt in the United States totals $1.777 trillion according to Education Data Initiative.
As Penelope prepares for graduation, she joins thousands of other young adults who are redefining what success looks like in today’s world. Whether she chooses to use this as a steppingstone toward other creative ventures or to build a lifelong career, she is part of a group proving that there are many paths to personal success, and not all require years on campus or going tens of thousands of dollars in debt.
“This just seems like a better idea,” Masotti said.
