A degree is still valuable, and an education matters, but life is hard right now, and if you do not have a natural curiosity and a desire to learn and to improve yourself, then you might as well just go drive a truck or work fast food.
And some of the jobs require a lot of education but do not pay very much, it is about what you want to do with your life more than it is about just money. The Psychiatrists at the Wellness Center are not paid very much, but they are very important people. And many Doctors are working for low pay or for no pay at all with groups such as Doctors Without Borders. Public School Teachers work for low pay, but they are very important. Then there are the Professors at the Community Colleges, etc, who are not making much more than the truck drivers. Getting an education is not always about making money, it has to be more of a choice about how you want to live your life, and your priorities, and service.
If you just need money, then go drive a truck, but if you want to have a richer and more fulfilled life then go get an education. And Cesar Chavez said that the best use of an education is to help other people with. An education is all about preparing you for a life of service, if you want to go in that direction.
Salute,
Tony V.