Which job should I take?

[StellaBlue]

Background

I've had a very varied work history, have lived in abroad, have a masters in English.

I had decided that, since I was having no luck breaking into any field and I don't want to a) work in retail my whole life or b) become a teacher, I should do a Master of Library Science degree and become an archivist. I know I would like this field, I am pretty sure I can find a good job immediately after finishing the degree, and I was accepted into my first-choice distance program last week.

I also have a huge amount of existing student debt, plus some almost-too-much credit card debt, which I got moving back to the US and setting up house, etc. Doing another degree will be quite expensive, and time-consuming.

So. I am a bit confused as to which of these jobs I've been offered would be best.

Should I give up on the archives thing for now and save up some money first, working at a good-paying job with benefits, while they're being offered?

Should I just dive in and become an archivist, working whatever I have to, possibly with no health insurance for up to 18 months, trying to keep things floating while I do the degree?

Should I defer my admission, take a pretty amazing offer in a field I hadn't considered but which sounds both interesting and lucrative, and see where I am after a year?

I know this is random. I'm just throwing this out there to see what other people would do. As of this moment, I have NO IDEA what I want to do. But I don't want to overburden myself with debt. I've struggled for a LONG time.

[LostInAnomie]

1. Street Pimp

Depending on how tight your game is.

[Haole Girl]

2. OMG, I think my head will explode now

I'll read this again in the morning, after I've had more rest.

I will tell you this: there is no pay in Library work (been there).

[Bossy Monkey]

3. My friend the library archivist has a regular BA in Philosophy;

no special library degree of any kind. At least I'm practically sure that this is correct; I can doublecheck with him if you'd like. Of course, Downtown U here is not exactly the most prestigious university in the country. If you're aiming to work in a library at a better school there would presumably be correspondingly more roadblocks.

[radwriter0555]

4. Try the construction thing for a while; save up some money, get your debt

knocked down. If your interest in furthering your education is still there after you've been with that co for a while, go ahead and do it when you're better off financially.. since it sounds like you'll NEVER be better off financially as an archivist.