Kudos to getting another degree later in life

[shootingstar]

Maybe I'm lazy or tired or don't know what I want:

I'm just impressed by a good friend whom I've known for nearly past 30 yrs. We graduated together and kept in touch since then.

@52 yrs., she's onto her 2nd Master's degree and working like fiend on coursework, meanwhile holding down a full time job. It's a good time, since her only child is now an adult and away from home.

At this time and for awhile, I just don't have the drive to pursue yet another full-fledged university degree. Evening courses here and there, do interest me. (I'm still hunting for a good fit for waht I need job-wise.)

[Crankin]

It really wasn't that difficult, Shooting Star.
Yes, I complained, but all grad students complain about their work. Happy to be done, but I started at age almost 55 and finished at 57. I was not the oldest person in my program and at the same time there were 2 students who had been in my older son's high school class!

[malkin]

I have considered an additional certification that would be useful. It is only about 6 courses, plus a zillion hours of supervised practice. The work doesn't scare me off, but the local, state programs are limited in size and only start every two years. The private (for profit) ones would cost about $25,000 which I would be unlikely to make up in compensation--even if I work until I am 80 years old.

So, considered aaaand rejected.

[ACG]

I am 50 and working on my bachelor's.
I'm a much better student that when I was 18.

[GLC1968]

I went back for a master's at about 30 (and ended up with a second bachelor's as well) and while it was challenging to manage everything, the school work actually felt easier. I think I just had 1) better study habits and 2) a real sense of WHY I was back in school which made it feel easier than it did at 18-22. I was no where near the oldest in my classes either. I felt quite 'average' in terms of age, actually.

My husband did the same thing - got his masters at 37, I think (maybe 38) and felt the same way. Now I'm back in the university setting all the time and I'm tempted to go back once more!

Personally, I think you get more out of your education as an adult with more world-experience than you do as a traditional aged student. Of course, had you told me that at 22, I would have said that was bull-poop. ;)

[shootingstar]

I totally agree that older students with work experience of several years, have better study habits and are more focused: you know what you want to get out of the educational program.

I have my undergrad and master's already. So right now I couldn't even think of the cost if I footed the entire tuition.

My reality is paying off a home mortgage before I retire. So no matter what educational aspirations I have now and later, that reality must be worked in too.

Not that I'm complaining: I've learned so much from my jobs and have taken alot for granted at times, until that knowledge gets "tested" /used in another environment/with different employers.

[withm]

I was 50 when I finally completed my MA.

[goldfinch]

After doing research in psychology I totally changed course and went to law school. I then joined a law firm. I was a peon associate when those of my age were partners. I never really caught up in earnings. So instead of buying into the rat race of getting more and more bling, I saved my money and retired at 50. Seven years later I am still glad to be gone. Most of the time we rationalize away our regrets so we can sleep at night. However, I do regret the career change because I never really enjoyed practicing law. But then again, it allowed me to bring in enough money to bug out early.

But years pass. It would be hard to get back into psychology after being out since the 80s. So instead I ride my bike, look at birds, and make a nuisance of myself on the internet. I wonder how many who have gone back to school late in life manage to find work in their new field, especially if it is unrelated to their former career. I am a firm believer in the existence of age discrimination.

FWIW.

[Crankin]

I experienced no discrimination at all. I went from being a teacher with a MA + 80 hours, making over 75K a year. I am now a mental health counselor (still unlicensed), working a fee for service job that pays, well, about half of what I was making.
I was lucky. I waited until we could live in the style we were accustomed to on one salary, to quit work and let my DH support me. I know that not a lot of people can do this, but it gave me a little wiggle room. Still, the mental aspect of knowing that I was dependent on DH was not easy, at least for me.
I found out that in the mental health field, age="life experience," which is valued. I took my BA and first MA years of graduation off of my resume and didn't list any jobs before 1990. I went on 4 interviews and had 3 offers. I chose to work 80% time, to have some flexibility in my life and time to ride my bike. I still am on track to have enough hours for my license (once I pass the exam) in 2 years, which is the minimum required, as in this field, 35 hours a week is considered full time.
Being honest, I did go to the career services office and talked to the director about age discrimination before I graduated. She looked at me and said, "You look young and active. Don't worry, especially in your field." It's true, I listed my bike leader experience on my resume and every single interviewer asked
me about it.
On the other hand, one of the other students who I went through the program with is about 5 years older than me. She looks older (though not "old") and has difficulty with attention and time management. She's had several other successful careers. She is a fantastic clinician, but was already fired from her first job, because she couldn't handle the paperwork demands. I am not sure this had anything to do with her age, but I am very careful to not dress, act, or look "old." Since I've been around teenagers all of my life, this isn't too hard!

[Blueberry]

I'm starting pre-med classes in August. Life's too short to continue doing something that doesn't feed the soul!

[shootingstar]

Wow, Blueberry.

Crankin, yes life experience counts in favour of being a counsellor.

As for age discrimination, yes it does exist sometimes (when I applied for some jobs). I found myself in my volunteer work section in resume, stating up front my cycling advocacy work...it genuinely does have people see you differently if they know you are physically active and trying to remain healthy (=lower absenteeism). I have no doubt, that I am benchmarked against a recent graduate from same program who is only 5 years into their working career.

However the organization who I work for (municipal govn't), I have met quite a number of employees in the 35+-50 yr. age range, who have only been with the organization for the last 5 yrs. An indicator, that in particular, relevant but diverse work experience prior to govn't, can be valued. And especially with some relevant private sector employers.

I have always believed that a person brings more value to government organizations AFTER they have first worked for least 1-2 relevant private sector firms and maybe 1 other non-profit organization.

Otherwise it's government employee from cradle and retirement who doesn't experience the in-your face reality of private sector firms who work at different pace/different goals. Certainly as a govn't organization to lay down rules, etc., it helps to read between the lines of what various lobby groups might be claiming vs. whatever their real agenda / causes for their unwillingness to cooperate for long-term public good.

I did take a few evening courses work-related during the first decade of my career. Then later I interpersed with...personal interest, art courses. :) I am so glad I took the latter too, 'cause now I live in a city which does not offer the same degree of quality in fine art instruction and diversity of art media choice.