Anyone go back to school in their 30s or older?

Has anyone on here gone back to school while they were in their 30s or older? If you have, I'd be curious to get your thoughts on it as far as whether you think it was worth it, how hard it was time-wise, etc. I'm in my mid 30s, and am pretty tired of my career, to be perfectly honest. The industry I am in is pretty stagnant--check that, it's totally collapsing in on itself--and I feel that there is limited to no upward mobility (at least for the foreseeable future). I have a bachelors degree in business, but I really have no desire to go back for an MBA--the idea just doesn't appeal to me. What I would like to do would be to go back for a degree in astrophysics and/or engineering. I know it technically makes more sense to go back for a more advanced degree (MBA) vs another undergrad degree (one which would probably require a masters or PhD afterward, at that), but I just don't feel like my heart is in that... The issue I have with my age is that 1) I'll be damn near 40 or older by the time I'm ready to enter the job market again and 2) I have a wife and a daughter (as well as a mortgage), so it's much more complicated that when I was younger and single. The cost of the school isn't an issue (I would do a public university), but the fact that I won't be earning anything for a couple years while simultaneously draining my finances for everyday expenses is.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

 

How old will you be in 5 years if you don't go to school?

See how that's really not a factor?

I'm in law school at night and working a full-time job. I'm 40mumble and it's a hell of a lot of work and time management, but if I didn't go I'd still be 40mumble and not chasing my desires.

Now -- the downside is the costs, and the opportunity costs, but it's easier to recover at 30 than 40.

 

I'd say do it. My aunt went back and got her masters in teaching while maintaining a full time teaching job and her husband also worked full time and had 3 kids. She is now successful in her field and having that masters definitely helped her.
She didn't change her career just improved her chances of moving up.
This is different than your situation but I hope it helps.
Take this with a grain of salt because I'm not an expert on this kind of thing. I just wanted to share a story with you.
Good luck with whatever you do.

 

After retiring, I thought about going back to school at Southern Methodist here in Dallas for a masters degree...it's convenient to my home and a great school. However, one look at the website and tuition costs changed my mind right quick.

Decided to reinvent myself as a writer instead; by the time I have a marketable full length novel done, I will have spent about the cost of three 3-hour courses at SMU.

 

You know the one thing I regret now is not doing an engineering degree. In my line of work, which is manufacturing electronics, having an engineering background would help me have a more in depth and intelligent conversation with other engineers. I know enough to sell our services and products, but beyond that my knowledge is limited. In my opinion, there will be a big shortage of engineers in the near future. I think you should go back and get an engineering degree, doesn't matter how old you are.

 

Yes and it was worth it, one is never too old to stop learning.

 

If you can afford it, why not? It's always better to keep yourself busy, trying your best to move forward in your career, rather than just sitting in one position for a long time.

However, it's not as easy. I think the tough part is the time management. The learning, applying are ok, considering your age and experience.

However, getting caught up with assignments, group projects, coupled with regular work, can be at times straining. Personally, sometimes i wish i can just leave it all behind, and head for 1-2 weeks holiday just to clear my mind.

 

Go for it. Wouldn't do astrophysics though if your looking for a career change. You'd have to go all the way to phd to make any money with that.

 

Thanks for all the replies!

Yeah, I pretty much figured that. The problem is that I find it so interesting that even still, it's tempting, but I know that, at my age, I need to get back into the workforce as early as possible to try to make up for the time I'll have lost.

The first part is funny, but true! The only things that concern me about my age are the opportunity costs and the ability to recover lost wages. I really don't know if I'll come out being able to earn significantly enough more than I do now to justify the expense. But ultimately, I feel that's secondary to having a career that I enjoy.

The time management is what gets me. My daughter is only 9 months old, and I feel like I'll be missing so much of her growing up... If I go to school full-time, this is lessened, but the costs associated with not working become much larger.

 

Similar topic......

When I was in Grade 7 (12 yrs old), we had a new student arrive at the start of the year that looked like an adult.

His name was Nathan and was 16 yrs old, repeating school. From Grade 7 to Grade 12 we did school together.

Of course he was smoking in Grade 7 and everyone thought he was the king.

After a few weeks in class with him, I realised why he was repeating school.

He was not a stupid person, just didn't apply himself in class and didn't seem to want to learn anything.

He is 36 yrs old now and delivers pizza for a living.

 

If you like what you do, you will earn more. Forget about opportunity costs. That's the wrong way to figure it...unless you know for a fact that the other path will lead to a better bottom line. Nobody knows what the road not taken is, so don't waste your time thinking about it. I know a guy who earned his MD at the age of 50. He is VERY happy.

The more qualifications you have (that you can apply), the better your chances. Engineering qualifications are very desirable. That's all there is to it.

Don't overthink it. Go for it. The only thing I would add is, if you are going to go to school full-time, see if you can pick up two complimentary qualifications. Mechanical engineering and industrial management, for instance. Computer science and hardware engineering. Design and biomedical engineering is another good one. It all really depends on your interests and passions. Make the most of your time.

 

Well said Zack and if I may add do what makes you happy as a person and do not base your happiness on your bank balance. Life is short and happiness is all that really matters.

 

It IS worth it to pursue a career you will be happy in – excited to go to work every day.
At 40 most medical doctors have just started: 4 yr college, 4 yr med school, 3-5 years residency (now you can practice), 1-2 years fellowship (to specialize). Math means they are in their 30s before their career starts if everything goes as planned. We have several residents that have had other careers before: One of our 5th year surgery residents was a paramedic for 10 years before he entered med school (9 yrs ago). The extra experience gives hime depth beyond his clssroom experience.
You just need to go toward the career you will be happy with for a long time. Do the class work & stop thinking about the “Me” & jobs you can get now. Have a vision & don’t quit until you reach it.

 

+1

Everything I did not see or realize in my past was just leading up to my law enforcement career and wanting to help people at the age of 46. Our economy has led alot of older people to persue career paths other than the unfulfilling but financially rewarding jobs they previously endured.

 

A cousin of mine,many years ago, asked advice on this subject regarding law school. He was 31 at the time . I asked him how old he would be in 3 years and he said 34. I said you can be 34 and not a lawyer or 34 and be a lawyer . You will still be 34. He is now a lawyer. Good luck ,Mike

 

Financially, hell no. If you didn't get an engineering degree the first time, don't go back to undergrad again. Especially with the daughter and wife.

For fun, sure. Make sure it's something you absolutely love to do.

Important question: what's your industry that is so "totally collapsing in on itself" that you can't find a way to get a step higher, or more independent, or somehow in a more advantageous situation?

 

My friend went to dental school in his early 30's (a complete departure from his previous career). I know he had to take out more loans than standard to help support a wife and children. His pros: older and more mature, easier to concentrate, more motivation because of wife and kids. Cons: wife and kids to give attention to, tired out more easily, harder to do late night study sessions.

 

What about using the business degree in a field that also involves something technical that interests you? Such as working at an oil refinery in marketing.

 

Just found out one of my wealthy buddies didn't start to school till mid 30's, owned a pool company cleaning pools and decided he wasn't 23 anymore and didn't want to do it for the rest of his life. Now has 2 masters and working on his 3rd at 46 and happy as a lark going to school at night and on the weekends. A girl I am friends with graduated with a marketing degree then started grad school, after a year she decided to be a RN and went a totally different direction. Now she is fresh in a RN career and closing in on 30.

 

Alot of people have done a 180 over the past 10-15yrs. I was in the seismic industry for a decade making great money and only working 14 days a month but that ended. Since I am not a computer guy and the tech changed so fast I was relinquished to working jobs below my skill and mental set and thats why I got into law enforcement at 46. The last 20-25yrs I have left I want them to be meaningfull even if the pay rate is lower.

IE do not wait until it is to late to find a profession you love, it is not work when you follow your passion.

 

Mrs. Jedi finished her BA degree just before she turned 40. I finished my Business
Administration degree in 1997 at 36. Hers was at the University of Washington.
Mine was a "whateverthehell" online "distance learning" college.... Trinity College.

NEITHER meant a bloody thing to our business careers/lives as far as earning power
or whatever. It was more for "personal accomplishment". She had been held down
in a miserable marriage to a lawyer - he felt she had no need to have a degree.
My case, I had been kicked out of home at 18 and had to fund my own path, with
no help from home. No way I could finish getting a degree. I did Junior college, but
couldn't afford any more than that (1980 or so)

So we both took our "own paths" in our 30s - for different reasons.

We now live together, travel together, work together, and have a really wonderful life,
and our degrees hang on the office wall to remind of us of how much we don't "need" them.

College degrees IMO are overrated....

Jedi

 

Remember back in the '80s when the job market was over extended with college graduates who could not find a job simply because of those who went to work straight out of highschool? I was in the work program my last two years simply because I had no desire to go to college and on top of that my parents told me they were not going to pay for it and in hindsight I am glad they took that stance.

I'm happy and that is all that really counts imo.

ps, Man we are having some serious thunder storms here so that is why I'm still up rambling away.

 

That's SO cool... I so wish we'd have more thunder storms in the Seattle area...
despite what TV or movies suggest, we NEVER get thunder/lightning storms here.
Maybe once ever FIVE YEARS.... we get a lot of rain, but hardly EVER get
the "fun stuff"

Jedi

 

You're missing nothing but hurricane-force winds, floods, huge chunks of hail, and tornadoes.

Soon after our last big one here in north TX, I was talking to a girl who works at the gym I go to. She told me that her near-new car was totaled by hail damage alone.

 

Thanks again everyone for the replies, and sorry it has taken me a while to get back on to say so!

I'm currently in pharmaceutical sales. The job outlook for the last 5-8 years has been bleak, to say the least. There has been massive reduction in the number of jobs at all levels in pharma sales, which has resulted in utter stagnation. The industry faces massive pressure from the government, managed care, and consumers in many different areas--not the least of which is increasing competition from generic drugs. What once was a promising career path feels more like a job now...