Hi Amanda,

This is a really personal decision, but I will offer you my perspective. I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot lately and discussing with my boyfriend. We just watched Ivory Tower – which I would STRONGLY suggest you check out. Super interesting and relevant. I think you are really smart to be considering the debt you will have to take on to go back to school – most students don’t consider this when they go off to college and they are stuck paying off loans 30 years later. As for me, I am fortunate I don’t have any student loan debt. BUT I do have a master’s degree. WHICH is not being used at all. Seriously, I am an administrative assistant in a completely unrelated field.

The movie I mentioned above – there was a really powerful quote in it. I can’t remember word for word, but the jist of it was something like “people will tell you it’s risky not to go to college after high school. I think it’s riskier to take out thousands of dollars of loans on a degree that may not get you a job or earn you more money.” Ha, really I think I butchered that. But it makes sense. When I went to college, straight out of high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. At 30, I now have an idea. But I won’t go back for another degree. So I’m just going to take a few classes to help me move along in the field I’m currently in.

If I were you…I would continue working and saving. Think for a while without pressure about what you want to do to make a living, and then take the steps to make that happen. College might not even be necessary to get your where you want to go. Also, see Ivory Tower.