Thoughts on Education Later in Life

Anyone here decide to go back to college or through what I will call "retraining" while in their mid- to late 40s and beyond?

Why did you do it?

Would you do it again?

What was the hardest part?

What were your biggest "But" thoughts and how did you smack them down? (e.g., "But I don't want to work for another 25 years!" or "But I don't want to go back to only having 2 weeks of vacation!" or "But it would be so easy to stay in this sh!tty job that I hate for another 10 years than to retrain to work for another 20 years!"--you get the idea)

Thanks in advance, from someone who really, really, really needs to move on but is ch!ckensh!t. :rolleyes:

I'm sure Crankin will offer advice.

My greatest respect for you in considering retraining or full-time (?) studies program! (I think my appetite for full-time college or university studies is abit zapped at this time.)
What do you have in mind?

As for the questions: "But I don't want to work for another 25 years!" or "But I don't want to go back to only having 2 weeks of vacation!"

May I comment: I'm 54, and hope to work until 65. And yes, I did have some jobs where I only had 2 wks. of vacation. This is what happens when there are boomers who did have a varied career with several different employers for full-time jobs, but didn't build up decades of retirement pensionable years for 1 employer. For myself personally, if I hadn't switched employers (in a semi-calculated way) + take several part-time courses, I would have learned a lot less, at a less faster pace.

Whatever it is that you choose to do, be passionate about it.

Three things:
DH went back to finish his Bachelors degree when a) we had just bought our first home b) we had our first child when he was in his last year, and c) he sold his business and took a 50% pay cut to get a "professional" job. Was it worth it? He would say yes, unqualified, yes. Sure, we suffered financially for awhile, but without it, he never would be where he is now. Our lives would have been totally different.

I went back to school to get a second master's and start a new career when I was 55. I was making in the high five figures as a teacher and only needed to work a couple of more years to retire. I quit, took my pension $ and invested it myself. I had the luxury of not having to work while I went to school full time for 3 years, in a very intense program in clinical mental health counseling that included 2 years of internship. I had no issues with the work/academic part of school, as I have been in school all of my life. But, my first master's did not require the degree of writing and collaborative group work; it was memorize, a little bit of research, and study for comprehensive exams.
You have to learn to prioritize. I made the decision not to give up other things (like cycling) and those were the things that kept me sane. I wanted to quit about half way through, but once I registered for my last year, I knew it was smooth sailing. I am making slave wages, but now, after 5.3 years, I am about to be fully licensed. This will let me continue working on a flexible schedule, on my terms as long as I can talk and write!

My son left college after 1.5 years to join the military. He is super smart, but no one could stop him. He is now, after 9 years, back in school and loving it, and appreciating it so much more. He is very focused. He will be about 30 when he finishes and he feels way more able to deal with the stress of school.

So I'm a bit earlier than you are in age, but have chosen a *very* long path. I have a BA, and a JD. I practiced law for almost 9 years. I wasn't happy, and I really didn't think there would be a happy place for me in law after a lot of soul searching. At 34, I started taking pre-medical classes. I'm more than half way done with the pre-med requirements now. I apply to med school next year. I will be 45-46 when I finish residency. I do not have *any* regrets now. I would rather do this and have 15 happy years working than to have the 20-25 years in a career I wasn't passionate about.

I was worried about losing more than 10 years in the workforce, and the impact of that on my retirement. But....I'll be making a higher salary as a doc - so it should all even out. DH and I have also made a lot of decisions (like selling our house) that make the finances work now. We are setting up good spending habits that we intend to keep - and the plan is to live well beneath our means so that we will still be able to save sufficiently for retirement. It's how we want to live anyway (smaller house, not an extravagant life at all).

My biggest concern was that my DH will likely have to hold off on any college-type things until I am done, and the strain that might put on our relationship. We have had several honest talks, and he is OK with the situation. He is also not 100% sure what he wants to do at the moment, so that helps. He also works in academia, so he is involved in research in his field, even if he isn't in school.

I was also worried that I would fail organic chemistry. That didn't happen, thankfully!

I went through graduate school a second time when I was in my early 40s, having gotten somewhat burned out by school psychology. Since about '94, I have split between the two occupations (school psych and workforce/economic development policy research), and it's saved my sanity by allowing me to have two really diverse kinds of work, both of which I like in quite different ways. I would absolutely do it again.

The hardest part was being a poor grad student again. I didn't have any second thoughts, really, and I really loved learning totally new stuff that I was really interested in (international political economy, labor economics, stuff like that). Did an internship at a UN agency in Geneva and had to take out a bank loan to do it, but loved every minute.

But Chris DOES have standing orders to shoot me if I propose going back to school again. Actually, I love school except for all. those. papers.

What are you thinking about doing?

There's a lot to be said for enjoying what you do at work. Worth the pre-work to get there, for me.

Yellow
Whatever you decide to do, good luck to you.
I got married young, worked and had 2 kids. I sporadically took college classes at night. I have moved up in my 'career', changed employers several times, raised 2 kids, divorced, re-married, become a grandmother and now am the mom again of an 11 year old step daughter. I've been very lucky in my chosen career and am in a pretty great job right now. Most people here think I have a degree by the way. I never volunteer the information to them.

My spouse is very very supportive and encouraging. So I am back at night college, taking algebra! I have many units so it is just a matter of time before I can transfer to a 4year university.

Why did you do it? Well because in my career I was turned down many times for promotions because I didn't have a degree. I have been told this in almost every position I've had, by lawyers, by accountants and by engineers. You don't have a degree, so you can't make more money and can't have this promotion. I had to work my way up to be a manager.

Would you do it again? I'm doing it now, so yes. It is a life goal at this point.

What was the hardest part? There are two answers, one, the time away from my family. Two, having to deal with taking classes that are a pre-requisete to another class, that you really only need to get into yet another class.

I'm 52, by the way.

Again, good luck to you.

I think you know my story, so I'll try to be brief.

First degree was a BA in Sociology and I spent 7-8 years in retail management. Quit at 30, started bartending and had no idea what was next. I was single, debt free and had the freedom to decide. I ended up with a BSEE and an MSEE in a highly specialized field (that has been booming in recent years). I worked as an engineer for 8 years and then struggled with my choice. I *almost* went back to school for veterinary medicine (at 43) but landed my current job instead. Currently I am the college program manager for my company. I am a liaison between the technical and the non-technical in a hi-tech industry. I like that I get to combine skill sets from both previous careers into one...for now.

I expected that this job would be short-lived when I took it. I mean, I could stay where I am until I retire, but I don't really have the desire to do that. My plan is to work in this role for another couple of years (to finish creating this program and to make myself obsolete so that I can move on to something else). As I plan for this, getting an MBA is high on my list of possibilities for my next step. I hesitate not because of my age (45 now) or any fear of the academic challenges, but because of finances. When we sold our farm last year, the plan was for us to retire in about 10 years (at 55) and farm again. If I do an MBA that'll shift our finances quite a bit and might require us to delay retirement. I need to decide if it is worth it at this point in my career. Will the MBA do that much for me or not? I'm in the research stage of this decision right now.

Anyway, my advice is to really weigh the options. When it comes to a full on career change (like I did at 30), it was 100% worth it. No question about it. BUT (and it's a pretty big BUT), make absolutely sure you are choosing the new career for the right reasons. I don't think I did and there was a time there where regret was pretty dang high. What are the right reasons? I can't say. The wrong ones are really any reason that stems from your dissatisfaction with your current career/job. Don't let what you don't like now influence your future. Choose your path based on what you truly want to do, not on what you want to avoid.

To answer some of your questions:

Why did I do it? I saw no future in my job at the time and I really wanted a totally different career path.
Would I do it again? Yes - but I might have made some different choices. Timing was right, the impulse was right, but my decision-making algorithm was wrong. ;) No regrets now though as it has all worked out for the best.
What was the hardest part? Living as a broke student after having been fairly 'well-off'. This is the biggest hurdle for me about business school, too.

Sometimes it's important to feel the fear and do it anyway. :)

Not to get off topic, but GLC, my DH decided against getting an MBA. He is probably the only living person in Massachusetts without a graduate degree, in the type of position he has. He could be the prof in the management classes. He didn't want to give up the time. I suggested he might do it now, so when he retires, he can teach (he would be awesome), but he said he'd rather work in the hardware store in Concord Center!

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Not to get off topic, but GLC, my DH decided against getting an MBA. He is probably the only living person in Massachusetts without a graduate degree, in the type of position he has. He could be the prof in the management classes. He didn't want to give up the time. I suggested he might do it now, so when he retires, he can teach (he would be awesome), but he said he'd rather work in the hardware store in Concord Center!

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I think MBAs have been seen as a big waste of time for many in the last 10 yrs. It would behoove anyone to do due diligence before laying down cash.

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Originally Posted by Skippyak

I think MBAs have been seen as a big waste of time for many in the last 10 yrs. It would behoove anyone to do due diligence before laying down cash.

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I do think that varies greatly by position and industry. In my case, an MBA would be evidence that I have more than just the technical knowledge/background. Every member of higher management in our corporation (and perhaps our industry) has a technical degree AND some type of business degree. It is hard to be taken seriously as a non-engineer without it. (There's a switch, huh?)

That said, its usefulness will somewhat depend on my specific path which is why I still have a lot of research to do. There are roles I could do that I would probably enjoy where an MBA would be unnecessary, so I need to chose my path before I choose my degree (for the first time in my life!!).

Yeah, for my DH, it's sort of the opposite. He has a BS in Business (Computer Info Systems), and he is in charge of 300 engineers. He does have a lot of technical knowledge, but he's the business guy who keeps the engineers on track with their business skills, which is more of their role because they are customer facing people, who work with sales people. I can see how an MBA would be useful for you, GLC.

Kind of an opposite view. I decided not to go back to school, I'm 53.

My job is very dead end, I don't hate it but it certainly isn't where I thought I'd end up. In my 30's and 40's I was a mental health clinician, in order to move up within my agency I needed a specific masters degree... I gave it long hard thought but in the end decided I really didn't like school so wasn't going that route. Instead I left my career and went civil service at a university library. The job is basically mindless but it pays well, I have excellent benefits, and am up to almost five weeks of vacation. If I was looking at having to stay here until age 65 I'd lose my mind, but I can go at 58 so I'll stick it out.

A hubby of friend has a VP position for national financial organization. He doesn't have certification as an accountant which is incredible because I know how competitive that sector can be for moving upward --at least in the big accounting global firms since I worked for one.

So he is like Crankin's hubby --probably with great people skills combined with communication skills for complex, higher business problems. But doesn't have the additional 2nd/3rd degree as expected.

In my personal opinion, there is a difference between engineers and engineers with MBA. I work with several of them that have either combination, plus my partner has engineering degree + MBA. (He took 7 years to complete MBA on a part-time evening course basis). Clearly to move out of engineering technical work, it helps to have at least a non-technical degree. Dearie's complaint has been for pure engineers, they are trained to view business problems and solutions from a technical perspective. At least in Canada, the university programs for mandatory coursework are heavy and demand technical understanding.

Pax, I never worked in university libraries. For anyone in a profession, it can be better to start off as jack of trades in 1 job role that blends customer service, client group training, management, technical design/evaluation and staff supervision. I've had several jobs where like this, and it's kept me hopping and learning (alot) but I've been able to parlay any of those work activities for more specialized roles across different industries.

So making a decision to switch employers, can be significant for some people.

Pax, for the same reason I am thinking about what I will call "vocational" training--that is, not college. I've spent many years just using brain skills. As time goes on (and I tire of the corporate environment and all of its expectations), I am leaning toward something that requires brain AND what I call "hand skills". I think that combination will be better for my soul, which has been sucked dry.

I know I'd take a huge salary hit, and one of my big concerns is how this would affect my hubby, who is the best guy in the world, and our lifestyle. It would take some creative accounting in the beginning, to be sure, but I could certainly adjust. I have a lot to think about, and it's good to hear about others' experiences.

FWIW, I tried to leave my current industry once and it was a dramatic failure (mostly because of finances, but I also did not have a good plan).

Yellow - what sort of retraining are you considering?

If I had it to do over again I'd have followed a trade, I enjoy working with my hands... but now I'm too old and busted up to go that route. So, I'll sit here bored for a while longer.

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Originally Posted by yellow

Pax, for the same reason I am thinking about what I will call "vocational" training--that is, not college. I've spent many years just using brain skills. As time goes on (and I tire of the corporate environment and all of its expectations), I am leaning toward something that requires brain AND what I call "hand skills". I think that combination will be better for my soul, which has been sucked dry.

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This is exactly what I'd like to do, but I find myself stymied by how to translate that into something meanful and financially viable. Yellow, if I may ask, what types of careers are you considering?

I've been an ER doc for over 30 years. In the last year I've become involved in training the other doctors for the new electronic medical records that the hospital will be installing. I've discovered a new passion in doing this, and after so many years I'm about ready to move out of patient care. Somehow I've been able to talk the hospital into putting me through an introductory medical informatics course and hiring me part time as the medical director of informatics (while still working my full clinical shifts). The course is online, so it's not full time, but it's a lot more course work than I've done in years. If this works out, I can see going on to get my master's degree and doing this full time. My only regret will be possibly having to be a "9-5er" instead of 4 days a week. But I think the change will be good for me and everyone around me. BTW, I'm 54 now and the master's would probably take me about 3 years.

Roadie Gal, I have a friend in AZ who did exactly what you are doing. Of course, there was a personal cost (divorce), because he went to CA to initially do the computer stuff, but now he is back in AZ, consulting with docs about the technology stuff and seeing patients 2 days a week. He started this back in the 90s, so he got in right at the beginning.
I was lucky in that I waited to do what I want until DH could support me in the style to which I'm accustomed to! But the loss of my income was still hard for me to take, psychologically. I've always said money is power, whether you like that or not, and it felt like loss of power. But, I am going to finally be able to marry my 2 interests (counselng and wellness), fairly soon. Once I get my license, I am going to do an ACSM course in wellness counseling. It's on line, so it won't matter where I am working... my goal is to get a clinical job 2 days a week, where I see people in an office/clinic, I can ride my bike to work, and I have more free time. Eventually I will start seeing wellness clients privately. No insurance, give me the cash...

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Originally Posted by Pax

Kind of an opposite view. I decided not to go back to school, I'm 53.

My job is very dead end, I don't hate it but it certainly isn't where I thought I'd end up. The job is basically mindless but it pays well, I have excellent benefits, and am up to almost five weeks of vacation. If I was looking at having to stay here until age 65 I'd lose my mind, but I can go at 58 so I'll stick it out.

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My story exactly before I retired. I called it having "golden handcuffs" because I was so close to full retirement - looking at five years of drudgery and then 30+ years of being retired and fairly comfortable financially - it just didn't make sense to throw 25 years away.

So I retired about six years ago and do not regret my decision to stick it out. I've already stuck my toe into many different things like personal training, being a Spin instructor and now a professional dog trainer. I'm also considering returning to the University - I can go for $25/semester since I hung in for full retirement. I have everything I need and my wants are modest - lucky there again.

I work for a big company. One time I got tapped to go along with HR to a career fair event at a uni not too far from here. I really only did it because my husband was looking for work at the time and I thought I could somehow get his resume past the computer filters if I did HR a favor. It didn't happen, but the whole thing was rather um educational for me. For one thing we were there looking rather specifically for engineers and accountants. I don't think this school even has an engineering dept so that seemed odd. Really I think what we were doing was maintaining a presence on that campus. I have no idea and maybe I'm just soft or something but I found the parade of fresh faced young kids looking to take on the world depressing. Here these kids are with their marketing or history or lord knows what all degrees from a really good private school and for a fact they're going to end up making less per year that a single year of tuition cost.

I left when this older guy came through the line. He was obviously someone who had gone back to school later in life and I didn't see his transcript or anything but this is not an easy school and like I said its private so he's obviously worked very hard to be there. The HR people just laughed him off, they didn't even look at his resume. That's when I remembered that I had some meeting back at the office that I needed to get to and left.

not to discourage anyone from going back to school
I'm sure there are places out there with sense enough to realize that someone who is older is probably going to be more serious about the job and all. I just think schools in general should do a better job of career counseling. What did these kids think they were going to do with an art history degree?

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Originally Posted by aponi

What did these kids think they were going to do with an art history degree?

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Go to grad school. I found my art history degree to be a broad based liberal arts education that included the visual as well as history, writing and languages. Actually, it was (and is) quite useful in my subsequent jobs and graduate school. I got a good state job in the field after undergrad, with benefits and upward mobility and pretty decent pay. My grad degrees are not in art history, but in a much more practical field. That's what grad school is for -- practicality, while undergrad in liberal arts is much broader and allows the student to explore, write and THINK (not so common for some "practical" undergrad degrees). I'm all for a liberal arts undergrad education, as long as you realize that grad school or further technical training is in the future.

As for sticking out a dreaded, boring, or simply uninspiring job for years...that's not my thing. Life is for living and I want to live now, not wait until later. What if later never comes? Give my something I'm passionate about. But that's just me. Everyone has different approaches, so you have to find what works for you. Best wishes as you figure out your path, yellow.

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Originally Posted by yellow

Anyone here decide to go back to college or through what I will call "retraining" while in their mid- to late 40s and beyond?

Why did you do it?

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Yep, 57 and counting. No degree, none, zero, zippo, nada, zilch, double goose eggs, nothing. HS diploma is it. Why am I returning? Because I've stopped several times at the attempt in my life and it's time to have some kind of ever loving fracking flipping letters after my name is why.

I'm sick and tired of putting "some college" on everything from surveys to job applications. Sick of it I tell you. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by yellow

Would you do it again?

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I am doing it again. I had to leave college in about '75 when I came out to my parents. In some ways it was the best thing that could have happened.

I was aimless in college at the time and that lit a fire under me. And BTW my parents "evolved". I wish my Dad had gotten to meet Knott and sKnott. He would have loved them and they him.

So anyway I got back in school, community college because working and living on my own that was what I could afford. Got my act together, my grades up and got into CCA (private art college). Working full time nights in a hot and sweaty kitchens while I went to school full time I got within a semester of graduation when I got dumped by SO at the time. And I just never got the momentum back up.

I wound up working for my current employer and making somewhere in the low 60k's. Good pay and astounding benefits including tuition bennies but thought "I'm doing well here, why do all the extra work?" Why? Because it gives one more choices in nearly every avenue of life. I do regret not chipping away at the degree earlier. For one thing the tuition bennies were better when I started out with the company; they covered books and fees. Now it's "just" tuition. But taking advantage of it now. Whatevah, not crying over spilt bennies. Moving on.

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Originally Posted by yellow

What was the hardest part?

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I think the hardest part is prioritizing time for me to do this for me. I could just do my job, it's a good one with fantastic benefits which include tuition reimbursement for some of my classes. I could just do this till I die in the harness or am retirement eligible and call it fine. It feels selfish to take what little free time I have for this.

The other issue is fighting the internal voice that says "You're 57 what does this matter?" The bulk of my family have doctorates. They've never given me grief about my lack of a degree. But I have feelings around this. Around the dinner table with my professor siblings, doctorate nieces and nephew, Knott has 2 bachelors degrees, sKnott's near getting his ... I hold my own in conversation but a tiny voice says "You, you got nuthin'"

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Originally Posted by yellow

What were your biggest "But" thoughts and how did you smack them down? (e.g., "But I don't want to work for another 25 years!" or "But I don't want to go back to only having 2 weeks of vacation!" or "But it would be so easy to stay in this sh!tty job that I hate for another 10 years than to retrain to work for another 20 years!"--you get the idea)

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That one's easy. I quit my job to move North here with Knott. (That was an absolute hoot!! Just saying. Do it sometime. Walk up to your manager at the front desk and quit. Do it! :D :) :p Right now! 'cmon. It's fun! We'll all do this together. I'll show you how! Quit your 60k+ a year job. It's fun!)

Funny thing is I'm back with the same company but lost all my seniority. We're union so that means a lot. In January 2017 should I still be with the company and on the planet I get it alllllllll back as if I never left.

So at that time I'd have 22 years with this sh**ty job and pension eligible and possibly social security eligible. If I still want to work I don't want to be a greeter at Wallmart which is what I'd be able to do at 62 with no education!!

Or maybe Knott and I will just ride off on a tandem and tour. Who knows. Anyway; 4.5 years I want choices.

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Originally Posted by yellow

Thanks in advance, from someone who really, really, really needs to move on but is ch!ckensh!t. :rolleyes:

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No problem!

TLDR; I have a lot of college credits and nothing to show for it. I'm gathering up the transcripts, seeing what can be done with it and taking one class at a time while working to see how far I can go.

I agree with Trek. About all of it.
And I had no trouble getting a job in my new field at age 57. I even went and spoke to career services at my school and the lady looked at me and said,"You don't sound old or look old." Now, I don't look 25, but I knew what she meant. My boss is 20 years younger than me.
I didn't discourage my sons from liberal arts degrees. Sorry. You learn how to think, write, and collaborate. Those are the #1 skills employers want. Not everyone wants to be or can be an engineer or scientist. I fear for our society if we devalue the liberal arts to the point that college is just career prep. My older son has a degree in linguistics and a minor in Italian. He was employed the day he graduated (from a state university) and never moved back home. He learned how to do all kinds of business stuff and stuck around for 5 years, despite *****y pay and no benefits. He has had 2 jobs since and is doing quite well. Bought his first house at age 29 and is married. I think his liberal arts degree taught him a lot...

Trek, your post has me in tears. You go girl!

;

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Trek, your post has me in tears. You go girl!

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Thanks. Next class: English 101 or the equal. You suppose I can submit my TE posts for credit? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

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Thanks. Next class: English 101 or the equal. You suppose I can submit my TE posts for credit? :rolleyes:

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Definitely!!

Do they still offer CLEP credit in school? I did that 30 years ago and got 9 hours of credit in English. Short test, a little money = two semesters worth of school tuition I didn't have to pay.

Trek: <3 <3 <3

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Originally Posted by Pax

Definitely!!

Do they still offer CLEP credit in school? I did that 30 years ago and got 9 hours of credit in English. Short test, a little money = two semesters worth of school tuition I didn't have to pay.

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The community college I'm studying with now (online classes, yay!) does not. But mark my words the moment I graduate; diploma, certifications, whatevah they will. This is the story of my life ;)

I was trying to transfer my job from point A in CA to point B in WA. Same d@mn job and company. Could not do it. Even talked to the president of cough ahem AT&T. About 9 months after I dramatically quit (and it was fun! You really should try it) and was rehired VOILA! They unveil a new seamless transfer system. Also if they'd rehired me 3 months earlier I'd have all my seniority.

Could not sell the condo for love nor money while I was there. Arguably 100k underwater and I bought way low. Now that I've left we're fielding offers right now that are well over what I paid. :) All's well that ends well on that score.

Wanted wireless speakers for the home; went out and bought some at the Apple store. Won them at work the next day.

So ... you want CLEP credit at my school? Wait 3 months after I graduate.

Want the iPhone 5S? Wait till I get a new phone and renew my contract. etc

Trek, you crack me up!

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Originally Posted by Trek420

The community college I'm studying with now (online classes, yay!) does not. But mark my words the moment I graduate; diploma, certifications, whatevah they will. This is the story of my life ;)

I was trying to transfer my job from point A in CA to point B in WA. Same d@mn job and company. Could not do it. Even talked to the president of cough ahem AT&T. About 9 months after I dramatically quit (and it was fun! You really should try it) and was rehired VOILA! They unveil a new seamless transfer system. Also if they'd rehired me 3 months earlier I'd have all my seniority.

Could not sell the condo for love nor money while I was there. Arguably 100k underwater and I bought way low. Now that I've left we're fielding offers right now that are well over what I paid. :) All's well that ends well on that score.

Wanted wireless speakers for the home; went out and bought some at the Apple store. Won them at work the next day.

So ... you want CLEP credit at my school? Wait 3 months after I graduate.

Want the iPhone 5S? Wait till I get a new phone and renew my contract. etc

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This is like me and refinancing mortgages. If you want to refinance, wait until one month after I do it, because that's when the rates plummet.

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Originally Posted by ny biker

This is like me and refinancing mortgages. If you want to refinance, wait until one month after I do it, because that's when the rates plummet.

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So a TE Newbie walks into the bar and asks:

Q: Do bikes ever go on sale? When do the bikes go on sale?

A: Right after Trek420 buys one.

Best of luck Trek420!

As for older people and ageism discrimination...it depends who one meets recruiter-wise. This summer, my employer showcased a pile of summer students and employee mentors. One of them was at least over 40....he chose to be a geospatial mapping technician. I thought it was great they chose him as one of the few 10 from 65 summer students who were hired, for this planned video clip.

I have done a lot of thinking as to what else to do with my life educationally and keep coming up with nothing. Like Trek 420 ( love your posts), I have been in and out of school for this and that through the years. Such as Med Tech, OTA, and PT training...etc. I guess, how do you come up with just one area to concentrate on. I have too many likes, I guess. Only now am I really beginning to figure out what my real strengths and weakness are. I am in my mid 40's. I hope I have not digressed on this tread. Continue with the original questions from Yellow. I love the responses and they are helping me too.

Red Rock

I agree, Red Rock. I KNOW that many people go through this. It's good to hear everyone's stories. I hope they keep coming.

Best of luck to you, Trek. It will work because you really, really want to do it :-)

As for me, I'm not spilling much at this point because I am just really thinking about options. As I've read all of these replies, I find myself leaning toward a non-college option. I'm just not sure I have going back to college in me.

Thanks to everyone who is contributing to the discussion. This is good stuff!

When I switched from a marketing career to software development, I went to a continuing education program at a university here in DC. It was back in the late '90s and I don't remember all the details, but I think I finished the program in about a year. I was unemployed at the time, and I worked temp jobs on the days I didn't have class. All the classes were focused on one basic topic -- programming for interactive websites. It wasn't cheap, and my first job in my new field paid 1/2 the salary of my last marketing job, but it was definitely worth it because I am much happier as a developer. I was in my mid-30s at the time, with no spouse and no dependents.