You've already got loads of responses, but I'm going to chuck my 2 cents in anyway, because I used to be your girlfriend.

Well, not your girlfriend, but in the same position. My husband is really not at all ambitious about his career. He has a Bachelor's degree (for which I am grateful, because we met at university) but zero career ambitions. He works a safe, comfortable, boring office job that does not require a degree. He will probably make an average salary his entire life.

It used to really, really, really, really bother me, because I'm ambitious and I always pictured myself as half of a power couple. And for some reason, I felt his lack of interest in his career meant a lack of interest in our future.

But the more I thought about it, the more I came to realise I was being ridiculous. Many of the things I love about him would be changed if he were ambitious in his career. He's always there to support me when I'm having problems with work. When I was writing my master's thesis, he was cooking all my meals and listening to me talk through ideas and tidying up after me. When we have kids, there will be no arguments about who stays home to look after them. Our life together is clearly hugely important to him.

What really helped change my perspective, however, was learning more about his other passions in life. Sure, finding a great job or building a successful career don't mean much to him, but that's because he has lots of other things he likes. He is extremely dedicated to his music, plays in more than one band, and writes/records his own stuff. He doesn't care if he ends up successful or not; he just loves doing it.

We also talked a lot about why he didn't want a "real job" before he went for this office job (he was working long hours in pubs and kitchens, which was very poorly paid) and he explained what he enjoyed about his life and what he wanted from his work. I feel like I understand him a lot better now. I would love him if he worked as a garbage man, in a supermarket, or even a politician!

Your girlfriend really, genuinely, will have your best interests at heart when she tries to push you towards university, but there are many ways to be happy. Maybe try to communicate to your girlfriend some of the things you do find important in your life; show her the things that make you feel like the best you. Tell her why you love your job and why you are happy staying with that company. Especially include the bit about the courses, so she knows you are interested in furthering your career, if that is important to her, as it seems.

And if she just doesn't get it, there are other people out there who will. Most people hate their jobs; be happy you found one you love.