One of the main problems with minimum wage jobs right now is that in many cases there's no reasonable chance for advancement. In the majority of the places I've worked. The only way up is through sheer nepotism, or for somebody ahead of you to be removed from their position creating a vacancy.

I'll counter your anecdote with one of my own: I worked two minimum wage jobs, got a raise in one within a year and promoted in the other within two years. One was a grocery store, the other a fast-food restaurant. Obviously it depends on where you work, but if it's big enough, turnover creates holes at the front-line supervisor level that are typically filled internally.

And there's not much of a chance outside of work either. Schooling isn't exactly easy on the pockets. And if generally calls for a lump sum up front. And when you're living paycheck to paycheck a couple thousand dollars just isn't always available.

I don't think it's possible to pay your way through school and cover living costs on minimum wage. Minimum wage was definitely not set up to cover this, and I'm not convinced it should.

< There are 24 hours in a day. If you have a 9-5 job, (which is somewhat rare from my experience.) That's 9 hours in that day gone and a healthy nights sleep is recommended to be 8 hours. This leaves us with about 7 hours. Minus about 1 hour minimum for cooking a meal. That's six hours in the day left Minus another hour for personal hygiene and care 5 hours. I'm going to say 1 to 2 hours a day commute. 3 hours remain for any classes, studying, getting to school or otherwise.

Sure. While I know people who work full-time and go to school, they are definitely in the minority. Part-time work, depending on your aptitude and program, may be possible.