I am one of the "consumers buried in student debt" mentioned in Michelle Singletary's article on Dec. 1. I am a recent graduate from Washington State University Tri-Cities. I loved attending the local branch campus, where I earned my bachelor's degree in business administration. The problem I faced after graduation was finding a job that would provide me with enough income to support my family and to start paying off my student loans.

When I wasn't able to find a job that offered me this, I chose to continue my education and pursue my master's in business administration. This allows me to further my education and defers my student loan payments until six months after I earn my MBA. But in the process, I am accruing interest on these loans and creating new loans.

I would appreciate it if our elected representatives in Washington, D.C., could balance our national budget, then focus on creating higher paying jobs for those of us who chose to educate ourselves and need employment to fulfill our obligations to pay back our loans. Time is money and I am running out of both!

Jared M. Moran, Kennewick