Firm Handshakes, the Hidden ROI of College, and the Path Forward
- Constantine J Kitrinos, CPFA
- Jul 27
- 9 min read
Last weekend, I navigated around the cabin at my nephew’s high school graduation party to celebrate with everyone and catch up with people I haven't seen in a while, and meet some new faces I didn't already know. Between the barbecue (some good eats from 👉 Sapori Cafe 😋🍴), jokes, and the usual smiles you come to expect at family gatherings and celebrations, I found myself in a series of conversations with his friends—the newly minted senior class moving out into the real world.
If you listen to the mainstream narrative, you might assume this generation is entirely screen-obsessed, apathetic, and incapable of looking up from their phones. Although it was of course a part of what they had by their side, they were able to defy the norm of simply being glued to it at all times. We all know cell phones are more than just texting and calling, it's our camera, car keys, home automation hub, and social media magnet that can consume hours and hours easily throughout the day. But sitting at different roundtables and walking around, I saw something entirely different.
These young adults looked me in the eye. They offered firm handshakes with a smile. They were polite, respectful, and carried a driven, pragmatic presence. I made it a point to stop a few of them and remind them that what they were doing—making genuine eye contact and having a real conversation—is becoming a lost art. In a world dominated by text messages, online communications, and frictionless digital interactions, the ability to sit across a table and hold a conversation is an asymmetrical advantage. I really believe those who can maintain conversation, take an interest in what someone else has to say, and find a way to communicate will dominate the next generation of competition.
As we talked, I learned that a little over half of them were packing up for a traditional four-year college, while the rest were taking different routes: stepping into the trades, pursuing specialized certifications, or entering the workforce directly. I can't say there is anything I would change about their plans. We've all seen those who go off to school, rack up $75,000 in debt, and never finish their final semester or class. College isn't for everyone, and it's certainly not the only way to become successful. I found it refreshing that a lot of these recent grads knew enough about what they wanted and what they didn't. It has to be one of the largest financial decisions we make at that time in our lives, and boy, is it easy to take on that burden of debt without a problem. It was a refreshing split.
It also got me thinking about the actual machinery of higher education today, how we pay for it, and the true "why" behind the college experience. Some kids go on to college by default as the only path to tomorrow, and others tread water cautiously, not because they are lazy or hate school, but perhaps because they are more informed about the large investment they're making.
The Shifting Economics of College and Secondary Education
The entire perspective on college, secondary learning, and how that fits into high school grads has been changing for some time now. I can remember not even considering an alternative after my senior year. In a sense, it was a default for me, but I also had no desire to take on a trade. For decades, the societal conveyor belt was simple: graduate high school, take out whatever loans are necessary, get a degree, and wait for the comfortable salary to materialize. The problem is that it doesn't always happen. Not only are there those who change majors once, twice (🙋♂️ me being one of those), but some never cross the finish line. That old school model is broken.
Today, the average cost of tuition, fees, and room and board at a four-year private college sits well into the heavy five figures per year. I looked at those universities back then and thought it was way out of my league, so I decided to stay somewhat local and go to a state school, and I could not be happier with that decision. As a matter of fact, most of us at the firm went to the University of Buffalo (UB) for undergraduate studies. Public in-state universities are more forgiving, but still represent a massive financial hurdle. Kids are signing on the dotted line for the equivalent of a mortgage before they have ever received a paycheck. And guess what, even bankruptcy can't wash away that debt, so you definitely want to think about it long and hard before you register for classes and make the commitment.
This is why the conversations I had with the teens heading into the trades were so encouraging. The stigma of not going to college is fading, replaced by a cold, hard look at Return on Investment (ROI). It used to be the kids that couldn't make it through college or couldn't afford it that would stay behind and get a job or try to get into a trade. That had a secondary or backup plan kinda feel to it.
For those who are heading to a university, the funding strategy has to be deliberate. Scholarships, grants, and work-study programs aren't just bonuses; they are necessary tools to prevent the "pro-rata tax" of heavy interest rates eating away at your future wealth. I didn't understand the economic weight of my scholarship-based aid and grant-based aid back then, but I sure do now. If you are a parent of a younger high schooler, the time to aggressively research merit-based aid, local community scholarships, and strategic 529 plan deployments is right now, not during their senior spring. Being a first-born generation citizen of this country, I'm not so sure my family had the understanding of how to navigate this realm either. I always felt that I was missing the boat on funding and navigating student loans, etc. Let's just say I had many trips to the Bursar's office to ask questions. They practically knew me on a first-name basis.
The Hidden Curriculum: My Unexpected ROI
With all of this data-driven skepticism about the cost of college, you might assume I view the traditional four-year degree as a waste of time. Nope, couldn't be further from the truth. I don't. In fact, if I could go back, I wouldn't change a single thing about my college experience.
Here is the irony: I don't technically use my degree. The piece of paper itself has had very little mechanical bearing on my day-to-day career, and I don't find that most do utilize their degree. There's more to college than just the education.
What I got out of college was infinitely more valuable than the academics. College was an incubator for human capital. You might be thinking, what the hell does that mean? For me, it was a four-year masterclass in life perspective. I didn't know it at the time, and it took me a while to realize and appreciate it, but it had an impact on the person I am today in both personal and business relationships.
It was where I first learned how to truly budget my own money and manage my own time. Truth be told, I was always a great saver. As a matter of fact, my grandmother always said if there was anyone who could split a penny into four pieces, it was me. My college career was where I figured out how people interact in high-stress, low-sleep environments. It taught me how to navigate relationships, how to handle rejection, and how to read a room. UB was a melting pot of students from across the nation. We met people from the sunny beaches of California and some of the flyover parts of the Midwest. I learned how people value their own opinions, how they view money, and how the social mechanics of the real world operate. Those weren't electives offered at registration; they were real-life encounters that taught me and others a ton.
The social interactions, the lifelong friendships, and the sheer volume of independent decision-making—that was my true ROI, and I've always said that since my mid-twenties. College was the bridge between being a kid in my parents' house and being a functional, resilient adult in the marketplace.
A Pragmatic Playbook for the Next Generation
Whether you are a recent graduate holding a diploma or a parent preparing a teenager for the next step, there are a few grounded, fundamental rules for the road ahead.
Treat the Soft Skills as Hard Currency: Just like I told the grads at the party, your ability to look someone in the eye, shake their hand firmly, and speak clearly will open more doors than your GPA. I would take real-world experience over any academic credentials. That goes for both certificates and post-education industry-based programs as well. The world is starved for authentic, analog connection. Master it.
Do the Math on Your Debt: If you are taking on student loans, treat it like a business acquisition. Admittedly, I did not do this as a kid, and I'm glad it worked out, but I really should have given it more thought back then. Does the expected starting salary of your chosen career path justify the leverage you are taking on? Taking on $100,000 in debt for a career that caps at $50,000 is the kind of math that's no bueno for me. Be ruthless about the numbers.
Audit Your Friendships: You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Again, another one I didn't give much thought about back then, but it's a big one you don't want to overlook. When you step onto a college campus or a job site, surround yourself with people who are driven, financially responsible, and challenge you to elevate your game. Like the infamous Dan Pena always says, "show me your friends, and I'll show you your future!" He may be a bit loud, crass, and outlandish, but this is one of his quotes I firmly agree with. We can choose our friends, but we cannot choose our family.
Budgeting is Freedom, Not a Restraint: For the first time in your life, you are entirely responsible for the cash flowing in and out of your pockets. Learn to track it now. Understand the difference between an asset (something that puts money in your pocket) and a liability (something that takes it out). Don't just think about the next big party and spring break trip. That doesn't mean lock yourself in your room, study, and run spreadsheets all day either.
Question the "Shoulds": Don't go to college just because you feel like you should. Don't take a corporate job just because you think you should. If you have a passion for a trade, or you want to build a business from the ground up, follow the data and your own drive, not the outdated expectations of the crowd. Surround yourself with the right people; the successful ones. The ones you aspire to be or think you aspire to be. Sometimes you spend enough time around them only to realize it doesn't fit you.
To my nephew, his friends, and the rest of the graduating class stepping into the arena: keep your handshakes firm, keep your eyes up, and treat your future like the high-value asset it is. I have high hopes for you and look forward to seeing you develop over the years!
To the parents of the graduating class of 2026, I congratulate you as well. We're lucky if we hang on to 18 solid summers of fun, family, and our kiddos. I understand the years go by fast, so hang on to every memory, every moment you can. Try not to think about the "one day when" and live every day to its fullest. There's a constant battle between girls/boys, friends, parties, work, sports, video games, technology and social media. 🤮 I know it's not easy. Enjoy the moment and celebrate with your recent grand. Cheers to all that you do in the next chapter of your lives; whatever that may be!
Oh, and one last thing before I do - Congrats again, my man Anthony! So proud of you.
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