Career Decisions

I've received another promotion at work (temporarily). My direct boss (Bob), the Director of Information Services has been loaned to another department full-time for a year to work on a special project. I have been asked to be the Interim Director during his absence. This is certainly a God-given opportunity because I thought I had gone as far as I can go in my Department with the education, credentials and experience I have.

The Director position requires a Master's degree, which I don't have. While I can hold the position temporarily without a Master's degree, I would need to earn one before Bob retires in three years to fill it permanently. I have known this for sometime, but have had a career goal of starting my own business, which does not require a Master's degree, so I haven't pursued one. Starting and running my own business has been a discussion between Erin and I for quite sometime. She prefers the benefits and stability (i.e., security) of a state job. I understand and respect those needs and know that she is right that staying with the State is best for our family.

So, I have to make some long term career decisions now. Do I go ahead and earn a Master's degree seeking to rise in my current organization? (Which seems to be the wise thing to do..."bird in the hand" and all) Or, do I just hold this position for a year and then do something else? If something else, then what is that something else cause I hardly doubt I will be ready to go off on my own business venture by then. If I seek a Master's degree, then there are questions about which school to attend(web-based, TSUM, AUM, Auburn, Faulkner, etc...), what field to get the degree in (MBA, Masters of Info. Tech., etc...), and whether to do one of those 1 year programs or a 3 year program? Write a thesis or do a non-thesis program? Which extra job do I give up to go to school or do I give up both of them?

These are the questions that Erin and I must pray about. I've called my Dad and gotten his advice (hey, that's exactly what Dad's are for and there is NO ONE that I trust more to point me in the right direction). I just want to do what God wants me to.