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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.”