I always felt that the major point of a post secondary degree is more to show that you can handle just about anything thrown at you. As stated, sometimes experience counts for more than education and in fact even *with* the education, in 10 years it isn't relevant any longer anyhow: what is important is that the person has demonstrated a lifelong ability towards continual learning. The degree was the first step towards that; but there are other equally valid starting points.
Having said that there are disciplines/careers which require of you a certain degree (ie. engineering, medicine, whatever). So I agree with the statements that some amount of soul-searching need be done at this point first to determine what really is in your path forward and then deciding what steps be needed to get there.
As a mature student ("mature" is really anyone starting off at university that is outside that 18-22 age group), going back to university is a little different than it is for the average 18-22 year old. University programs are *designed* to let you flounder a bit (for lack of a better word, that's not really the right way to put it) for the first two years before you really get into what you were trying to specialize in, in the first place, because you have to take options that show you other things and in many cases, an option can lead to a minor degree or even a change in majors. As a mature student, the expectation is more that your chosen vocation is because you have a confirmed love already for the that topic. Ie., if you were to choose a degree in political science at this stage, it's because it's something you've always wanted to do. My mom went to university at a later stage in life and got a degree in linguistics and literature, which as a librarian for many years thereafter it served her well as a starting point into that career.
This is actually one of the best times of your life to consider a post secondary education because of that.
If it weren't for the fact that I have too much of an addiction to a steady income and a family to support, I honestly would consider going back myself. There are some degrees I would simply love to have because the topics interest me. Math, physics, marine biology (duh) .. But alas, the real world beckons. Perhaps in another life.
