I will want to talk further with teachers about their experiences in the educational system and the pros and cons of going into education, versus another field. I will also want to talk to others who have gone on for their master's or doctorate degree and listen to their input and suggestions about my future possibilities. Second, I need to make a decision whether or not I want to go back to school and into another field of endeavor or continue to pursue my present work in computers. During the three or four years it takes to get the doctorate, I could get increasingly more responsible positions and higher salaries working for a company or on my own. It will also be very costly...

I need to determine if I would like to devote this amount of money to something new, or continue saving the income I have coming in now for other future goals such as a new car and house.
I do realize, however, as my friend has said, that is not a decision to make lightly or quickly. I will have to literally do my homework by weighing all the advantages and disadvantages and talking to a wide range of people now attending school, recently graduated and working in the college I am considering attending. I have never made a serious move in the past without being 100% behind my final decision, and do not expect that this situation will be any different.