A Gen Xer shares why going back to college after dropping out was the best decision he ever made

• A Gen Xer went back to college five years after dropping out in the hopes of boosting his income.
• He struggled to find a high-paying job even with a degree, but the journey was eventually worth it.
• He's making nearly $150,000 as a software engineer and paid off his student debt.

David Houde feels like he's made it — and he thinks it wouldn't have been possible without his college degree. But it's been a long, winding road to this point.