My little brother graduated this weekend. It got me thinking about my future because that’s what I do. I miss school so much.  I had such great plans once upon a time. I wanted to be a professor, engage in research, and contribute to the academic world. And I’ve done nothing.

The real question becomes why do I want to return to school? Yes, a part of me really likes my job. I like the people, the company, the job. I could see a future there. But I’m not sure how far I could go in the corporate world. I really fears going nowhere in my career, and since guys aren’t exactly lining up to be my husband, I won’t even have a family to distract me from my career woes.

But I really miss academia. I miss papers. I miss research. I miss stimulating conversation with professors and peers. I had an opportunity to continue my education, but I did not take it. Everyday I feel like a fool for not taking it. But the past is the past, and now I can only change the future.

I’m at a very difficult crossroads in life. Should I return to school for my current career? If so, would i get an MBA? That really is the only way to increase my salary but an MBA would make me very overqualified and I’d have to earn more. Or do I do the difficult path and return to Academia?