Should I spend $$$ to go back to school?

I am really stuck.  I have been working as a glorified secretary for almost 3 years and it's sucking the life out of me.  I graduated from college in 05 with a BA in Psych and have been looking for a career in health/human services ever since, but the only openings offered to me pay so little that I wouldn't be able to pay my mortgage or car payment (and trust me, my expenses are VERY LOW, but if you are familiar with how little these fields pay you understand).

I don't know what to do. I thought about taking up some business classes or even going for a MBA (I do have a lot of experience workng in a small family business) however I just have NO PASSION for the field.  Sure, making a lot of money would be sweet, but the whole job satisfaction would be out the window.  It's fine for others, but I really want to be in a field where I can help someone.

If I continued in Psych and got my master's, the pay would still not out-weigh the debt from school.

I always saw myself working in a hospital or college/university.  I am starting classes in the fall to become certified as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor, but obvisouly, that wont help pay the bills much more. 

After learning about foods and staying healthy for life throughout my weightloss, I have been really interested in becoming a registered dietician, but I would probably have to move to find a career in that field, but I could work in a hospital.  Honestly, I'd love to be a nurse, but blood makes me pass out...

Anyways, I'm just really stuck and I know the economy is bad, so I am sooooo grateful to have a job, but I feel like I'm going backwards and my career is never going to begin.

Has anyone felt this way? What did you do? How did you overcome feeling irrelivent in the working world? I just want to do good and help others, but I can't do that if I can't help myself in the process.

Thanks for letting me vent.

I don't plan on getting a loan, I will spend as I go.  I'm 27 now and have to work full time to afford my mortgage and individual classes.

Sure, if I made 6 figures that'll be a diff story, however, that wouldn't be the case. 

 As for a "calling" being rubbish, i can understand what you mean by that. I am 1st generation raised in the U.S and all of my family work to live; it's not "who they are". However, I PERSONALLY want to do something important and enjoy my life MOST of the time...I don't think that's rubbish.  & I have no problem paying my bills while getting there either.  Don't confuse me with some lazy mooch just because I strive for more.

Thanks again...but I'm going back.

i was kidding.  i defended my thesis on wednesday and the party was last night.

Original Post by mperic81:

Don't confuse me with some lazy mooch just because I strive for more.

Sorry - that's not what I meant at all. I just meant that if you find something that you don't mind doing, if it pays well it's pretty satisfying. I agree though some people would rather do something they love even if it doesn't pay well - I'm not knocking that at all, just saying that one can be happy in a job that isn't their dream job too.  

Original Post by mperic81:

I don't plan on getting a loan, I will spend as I go.  I'm 27 now and have to work full time to afford my mortgage and individual classes.

Sure, if I made 6 figures that'll be a diff story, however, that wouldn't be the case. 

 As for a "calling" being rubbish, i can understand what you mean by that. I am 1st generation raised in the U.S and all of my family work to live; it's not "who they are". However, I PERSONALLY want to do something important and enjoy my life MOST of the time...I don't think that's rubbish.  & I have no problem paying my bills while getting there either.  Don't confuse me with some lazy mooch just because I strive for more.

Thanks again...but I'm going back.

Spend, yes.  Borrow, no.  Education is a great investment for the long-term, but it doesn't always pay off quickly.  Buying a degree on the margin can invite many, many years of problems with debt management.  I think you are making a wise choice to make it work without borrowing heavily.

Sybil, no problem. I get what you're saying.

pgeorgian - I DO remember reading something about you defending your thesis...lol. Okay, now I get you're joking.  I'm sure you did great!!

ly - I hate the idea of having anymore debt (I only have my mortgage and car payment, but that's enough lol).  My bf has about 30K in debt...30K! I know others have more, but that is from a psy degree (what a coincidence....).  Fortunetly, he is paid well, but not enough to make that loan go away any faster.