Hi Everyone
I am currently 21 years old and live in Alberta, Canada. I just graduated in 2015 and hold a diploma in Power Engineering (Also known as a stationary or steam engineer) a long with 25k in student loans. I had originally wanted to go to university to get an engineering degree after high school, but got sucked into the idea that I could make massive amounts of money working in the oil and gas industry with only 2 years of technical training. The job prospects were huge for power engineers and everyone was and is still trying to jump in on the opportunity. Now the market is flooded with power engineers a long with a limited number of jobs in Alberta's hurting economy.
After about 6 months of searching, I finally found a some what relevant job with my limited experience and college education: a terminal operator position making about 60k/year.
My way of thinking has changed a lot in the past few years. I am starting to figure out what I value in life and am regretting the decision to take the path that I did. I dont want to be stuck in this limited career for the rest of my working life, so I applied to the university of alberta and got accepted for this coming fall. My government student loans are interest free while attending school so they wouldn't be accumulating if I left them there. I already have about $5000 saved up and expect to have around $9000 before September. I might be able to work on weekends at my current job and during the coming summer(s), so I could possibly have a source of income while I am in school.
Is it possible to live on such a small amount of money if I don't take out any more loans while in school? Or Should I continue working at my current job until I have payed off my student loans and saved up a good stash before I go to university?