Lloyd Morgan faced a turning point in 2014. Working in Philadelphia's early childhood education sector while juggling a weekend job at a country club, he struggled to support his wife and three children on a household income below $50,000. At 36, he made a decision that would reshape his future: leaving his teaching position to enroll at Penn State Abington.
"This decision changed my life," Morgan reflected in correspondence with Business Insider.
A decade later, his transformation is evident. Armed with both bachelor's and master's degrees, Morgan now earns $78,500 annually as the director of community relations and policy development for Pennsylvania State Senator Jimmy Dillon.
Morgan's story exemplifies the complex decision many Americans face regarding higher education. While some find degrees unlock higher-paying positions, others encounter student debt without corresponding career advancement. Recent years have seen growing skepticism about college's value, given rising education costs and expanding opportunities for those without degrees. However, statistics still show college graduates typically earning more and facing lower unemployment rates than those with only high school diplomas.
Early Career and Initial College Experience
Morgan's educational journey began in 1997 at Dean College in Massachusetts. After two years, he earned an associate degree but opted against continuing for a bachelor's. This proved fortuitous - working at the college's children's center revealed his aptitude for childcare. He transitioned into nanny work in 1999, eventually earning up to $70,000 annually serving families in Philadelphia's suburbs and Manhattan's Upper East Side.
"With an associate degree, I was able to make great money that allowed me to live on my own in NYC for many years," Morgan noted.
The Pivot Point
In 2010, despite parting amicably with a severance package and reference letter, Morgan lost his nanny position. Unable to find comparable pay in childcare, he returned to early childhood education in Philadelphia, supplementing his income with weekend work at a country club. By 2014, working seven days weekly had left him exhausted and still struggling financially. College re-emerged as a potential path to stability.
"I learned that this life was not for me," Morgan said of his multiple-job schedule.
Educational Achievement and Career Transition
Morgan earned his bachelor's in psychological and social science from Penn State Abington in May 2017. Aspiring to government work, he immediately pursued a master's in social policy at the University of Pennsylvania. This period proved financially challenging - his family relied on food stamps, Medicaid, WIC, and utility assistance programs while he focused on his studies.
At 40, armed with his master's degree, Morgan began interning with a Pennsylvania state representative. Though his subsequent full-time legislative assistant position offered modest pay - around $31,000 - it provided excellent benefits. By September 2023, he had advanced to his current role under Senator Dillon.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Morgan's education left him with student debt, though he expects forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program after six more years of public service. His position's security depends on Senator Dillon's re-election, but Morgan remains optimistic about continuing in government service if needed.
Looking back, Morgan finds satisfaction in his unexpected journey. "I always said many years ago that the only way I was going to be able to go back to college was if I won the lottery," he reflected. "Well, I didn't win, and I still went back to college. So it is possible, with successful outcomes."