All my life, I have embraced the philosophy that you should never stop learning. And yet, I don’t have a college degree. I’ve started several times, but have never been able to close the deal. I’ve gone the University route, community college, specialty colleges and online schools, the results are always the same. I go for a while and then I drop out for one reason or another. So I have the college debt with nothing to show for it.

I have continued to learn of course. I read… a lot… obviously. And I read about a variety of topics and interests. But lately I’ve been finding that it’s not enough. I want a degree. And I want it in my current field of Human Services. I’ve even found the program I want to attend. But do I really want to add to my current student loan debt?

And then there’s the fear that I won’t finish it, just like every other attempt. I mean, I do have a history of dropping out. But I feel like none of the other programs were quite right. And this is the first time I’ve worked anywhere that I haven’t wanted to quit 6 months in, so I feel like I could make it through this time… maybe?

Do I really need a degree? Right now, no. But if I want to advance further in my career, then maybe. Not having it could close some doors for me that would be open to someone with a degree. So the question is, are the risks worth it?