Hey /adv/. I'm at the first major crossroad in my life:

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Hey /adv/. I'm at the first major crossroad in my life: deciding on further education.

TL;DR: should I do a trade job, or go to university and try for the job I've always wanted? I'm in Canada, so I'll have the money to do either option.

My feelings: If I go to university, I'll be doing something like political science/foreign relations, and my goal would be to work with the Government of Canada in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I've been working for the government in minimum wage jobs and volunteer positions for a long time, and I absolutely love it. But this is a long, hard road, with no guarantee of success.

If I do a trade job, it would either be mechanic or electrician. I'm already okay at these things, and it's fairly interesting work. I also love the idea of potentially owning my own business, doing contract work, always being in demand, being able to use my skills to help me in my own life, etc.

My short term/long term financial goals are the obvious: I want to buy a house at some point, keep my mom our of a care home, buy a decent car, save for my retirement, have a family, continue being able to do my hobbies, travel once in a while, etc. My ultimate goal is financial independence; I don't want to be like my family before me who had to work everyday until they died to keep their family afloat... but I'm extremely good with money, so I'm sure no matter what I do I'm sure I'll be "fine" financially.

So yeah, I'm lost. I know in the end it will all work out, but I'm also scared about being unhappy with life as I live it, waiting for retirement to roll around... I'm also worried about wasting time, having to go back and do things like school again, because I've already wasted a few years since highschool in this limbo. Any advice you have, or personal experiences, other ideas for work or schooling, or anything really, helps a lot. Thank you anons.