Brian Erickson figures he was “a little kid” when he chose UMaine and decided on an engineering major.

Four years later, he’s impressed by his choice.

“I was 18,” said the new graduate, who’d had difficulty as a freshman defining engineering. He’d picked UMaine after looking at several high-priced schools. But UMaine offered him a free education.

“My friends are all complaining about their loan exit interviews,” he said. “I don’t think I could do that.”

Today, Erickson’s an engineer and it fascinates him.

It was a good choice among many.

The 22-year-old spent his college years defining his own path. He ignored lots of peer pressure to drink and to ignore his school work.

“I’d tell new freshmen, ‘Do this on your own terms,’” he said. “There’s no shame whatever you choose.”

Early on while living in a dorm, he learned to eat right, get enough sleep and exercise. When he moved into an apartment after his second year, he had more chores and more to learn.

They’re the kind of things that most folks don’t learn until they’re away from home and on their own.

“I have to clean my own bathroom and cook my own food,” he said.
He doesn’t plan to give it up. Many of his friends plan to move back with parents while they begin careers. Erickson may, too. But only for a short time and only with an exit strategy.

“I don’t want to do that living-in-the-basement thing,” he said. “I can’t.”

This is one of a several part series. To read the rest of the stories, click here.