$5k isn't bad as long as you're paying it down and not adding to it, and, probably the biggest thing, AS LONG AS YOU'RE PAYING IT OFF ON TIME and not defaulting on anything. I only had $3k in debt, but I really messed up and had some late payments and defaulted on one and really messed up my credit. However, through a lot of persistence, my credit is about clean now and I got my car financed at only 8.5% interest.

And, yes, you will find there is a ceiling as far as how good a job you can get for most people unless you get a degree. I would definitely recommend doing that if at all possible.