Working Class to College: The Promise and Peril Facing Blue-Collar America

by Robert Owen Carr, Dirk Johnson

Unfortunately, many economically struggling families today see college as beyond their reach--academically, culturally and financially. Working-class young people need a college degree to earn a living wage in today's economy. Yet financial obstacles and a cynical belief that the system benefits only the comfortable and connected seem to place a university education off-limits to tens of millions of Americans. Working Class to College exposes an education class divide that is threatening the American dream of upward social mobility and sowing resentment among those shut out or staggering under crushing debt. The book addresses ways to reduce college costs and shares the inspiring accounts of those who have endured all sorts of hardship ”homelessness, an incarcerated parent, dangerously low self-esteem--and fought their way to college and commencement. Robert Carr draws on his blue-collar background as a financially strapped teenager who caught a break as a high school senior more than fifty years ago, and who has made it his mission to mentor and provide need-based scholarships that give working-class kids the opportunity to graduate in four years without student debt.

224 pages, Hardcover

Published February 10, 2017

Reviews

[Christine Lussier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of "Working Class..." from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well written, shares stories of the author's foundation (Give Something Back Foundation) & the students that have benefited from the generosity of the scholarships. The student's hardships & triumph's, determination to go to college & be successful are all noted.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from NetGalley.

This book was about how hard it can be for children from working class families to go to college, do well and graduate. The author is the founder of the Give Something Back foundation that helps those children achieve their goals. Quite a few things he mentions struck a chord with me, I come from a working class background and my first try at college didn't go so well for many of the reasons he mentioned. It would have been nice to have the mentors and the stress-free environment these kids get along with their scholarships. It is a good look at the higher education system and the reasons many of "lower class" don't even try to get a better education.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of books about the trials and tribulations of working-class students struggling to succeed in the college world. Most of the time these books focus on money, which is, of course, very important. However, what I really enjoyed about this title was that the author, Robert Owen Carr, discusses the challenges that revolve around money, including social standings and family relationships. He doesn't group all working class students together in one big category, but instead, discusses various aspects that may challenge student success. I also like that he talks about solutions. Outside of the financial aspects, he discusses the importance of early mentoring. He also talks about various other options to the elite (and expensive) private schools including technical schools and community colleges. The only thing that I found distracting about this book was his constant reference to his own foundation, Give Something Back -- I think that it is important for him to talk about this organization, but perhaps devote a chapter to it, instead of weaving his discussions in and out of the rest of the book.