If you go the education route, carefully consider the options. I went through the UC Davis Extension Master Brewers program and found that it was mostly a waste of time and money. Really, it's just a test-prep program--which, to be fair, they're clear about, so I can't knock them for it. Point is, there is no practical, hands-on doing of anything in this program. It's 100% book work, sitting on your butt listening to lectures (at least, it was when I went through it a few years ago). So I came out of the program knowing absolutely nothing about the nut-and-bolts of working in an actual brewery.
That said, I wouldn't have gotten my brewing job were it not for the program--because I wouldn't have heard about the opening if I hadn't been in the program. Which leads me to what I think is the main benefit of brewing education programs: you'll learn about job openings through them. As for the rest--the biochemistry, the microbiology, etc.--you can save a LOT of money if you buy the texts and read them on your own. And also homebrew a lot.
If you do a program but don't have a gig, then make sure you do a program that either has an internship or actually teaches you on a professional brewing system.
In any event, to summarize, I think a "brewing education" is mostly a waste of time and money, but if you don't go through one it'll make it much harder to find a gig. Catch-22.
Working at a brewery, you'll get worked physically to the bone, putting in long, long days for absolute crap pay. Be sure you want to make the leap. It's not as fun or fulfilling as it sounds. YMMV of course.