The only constant you can work with is what "You" want to do.

I took a few semesters of Computer Programming in H.S. and enjoyed it, but I didn't have the vision to see where it could take me. Everyone told me growing up that I had to go to college, so, that's what I expected to do, simply because it's what I was supposed to do. It never clicked with me. I finally decided to try a Technical College to get an Associates in Construction Management. During this time I decided to join the Marine Corps and Serve as an Air Traffic Controller. I figured it would be a good future since Reagan had Fired all the NATCA Controllers. There were many jobs available to prior service people. Clinton reversed Reagans firings and all these former controllers were rehired and "poof" the jobs were gone. I had no interest in Computers as I approached my end of service and figured I would jump back into construction since I finished my associates in the corps. A few years in construction and I developed a love of working with computers. I decided I needed to jump into the DotCom boom and make some money. About 6 months later the DotCom Bombed. I really felt strongly that the IT Field was where I was supposed to be though so I stuck it out in school to finish the Associates in IT (using the military GI Bill to pay for it ). With a bit of Social Networking I proceeded thru an entry level support job and am currently in a Database Development position with ... a construction company As Dave said, "no education is wasted" , I've been able to build more helpful applications due to my background in construction.

Bottom line, as best you can, identify your passions and pursue those. You will be miserable if the situation is not a good fit for you.

Some people can set a straight course to their goal. Others of us have a more zig zag path. Make the mistakes while you're un-married and no kids, it's a lot easier to recover at that time. Your margin of error decreases drastically when you have dependants