Compare a Career Break Return to Study With Diving Straight Back Into Work

You have been out of the field long enough that jumping straight back in feels risky, but so does spending money on a course to relearn what you might remember anyway. This compares both routes on time, cost, how employers actually see a return, and the risk if either choice does not pan out.

<context>
You are returning after a career break of {BREAK_LENGTH} and deciding between formal study, such as a course or qualification, to re-enter {FIELD}, versus going straight back into work and learning on the job.
</context>

<task>
**Compare** the two routes:
1. Time to reach full competence on each route
2. Cost, including course fees against lost earnings while studying
3. How each is perceived by employers in this field after a break
4. The risk if the chosen route does not work out
</task>

<output_format>
- A comparison across the four criteria above
- A recommendation weighted to the priority the user states: [confidence, speed, cost, or credibility]
- One thing that would change the answer
</output_format>