Tech CEO Who Started at Community College Urges Gen Z too Prioritize Pragmatism Over Prestige
ORLANDO,FL – In an era defined by soaring student loan debt – currently totaling $1.65 trillion – a prominent tech executive is advising Gen Z to reconsider the conventional path to career success.Tomasso, a 55-year-old CEO who began his higher education journey at a community college, argues that prestige isn’t paramount and encourages young professionals to prioritize resourcefulness and a willingness to learn.
Tomasso reflects on his own experience at the University of Central Florida (UCF), stating, “I had a blast at UCF, and looking back now, I wish I would have been able to go there for four years, but it just wasn’t in the cards for me, and it wasn’t a reality. So,I got there in probably the best way I could.” His story underscores a growing trend of students opting for alternative, often more affordable, routes to a degree.
The CEO emphasizes the importance of character over credentials. “Don’t let ego get in the way,” Tomasso said. “I look at folks beyond their resume and say do they have that-the fortitude to do whatever it takes, basically, to put themselves in a position to be successful?” He illustrates this point with a personal anecdote: while a student, he took a job at a department store solely to afford a suit for an internship with the orlando Magic, demonstrating a proactive, “get-it-done” mentality he now seeks in employees.
Tomasso’s advice to young professionals is simple: be proactive. “Make sure people know you want to learn more,” he urges. “Don’t read your job description. Do what’s expected of you-and then some. Do something else, like ask, what more can I do? Ask, even if it’s outside your area.”
His perspective aligns with a national shift in higher education enrollment. Community colleges are experiencing a resurgence in popularity, currently enrolling over a quarter of all students nationwide. Preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse reveals a 4% increase in community college enrollment this year, significantly outpacing the 1.9% growth at public four-year institutions and 0.9% at private nonprofits.
Financial considerations are a key driver of this trend, with over 30 states now offering tuition-free programs for eligible residents. Tomasso frames community college not as a compromise, but as ”a hack to get that kind of degree for basically half the price.”
