Concerns of change.

QA I have taken virtually every career interest exam around, and am most interested in careers in which I have little skill. I know I need more schooling, but my current salary won't support additional debt. I need to better myself, yet I can't afford to do it. Help!

--D. Smothers, Columbia, South Carolina

Don't panic. Self-betterment is almost always worth the cost you must pay for it, and in your case, it definitely is. Debt incurred for education should be viewed as an investment rather than a liability (as in the case of credit card debt). After all, your market value in the workplace will increase, not to mention your employment options, your earning potential, and, likely, the overall quality of your life. It will all be worth it in the end.

Try hitting up your company for some tuition reimbursement. It's a common perk in most benefits packages, and will prevent you from incurring long-term debt. The key: The better your grades, the more the company will give you (so study hard). Scholarships--the tried-and-true method of getting an education for next to nothing--abound, and you can apply for those funds on a number of sites, including fastweb.com, freschinfo.com, and finaid.com.

And, if you do decide to take out student loans, remember to do your research first. Check out knowledgefirst.com, estudentloan.com, and, of course, fafsa.ed.gov to explore all of your options. With all of this information, you'll surely make the right choice for you. Help is on the way!