I too, am a millennial. I grew up being told that the only serious option after high school was to go to college. That's just how life worked. I believed it, as most my family went to college immediately after high school.

Not only did my family perpetuate this idea, but my middle class suburban high school did as well. Our guidance counselors actively were involved with the local state universities. They spent a lot of time shoving the idea of attending college down your throat. Maybe they only did this with the higher performing students. I even was going on college tours in 10th grade, through programs at my high school. At the time, I really didn't think there was another option aside from college after high school.