Once you reach a certain age and find yourself surrounded by all the typical markers of adulthood — family, home, job — it’s natural to reflect on the path you’ve taken and wonder if you’re on the right course. For too many adults, the answer is a lukewarm “maybe.” If you’re finding yourself thinking about what might have been, consider taking some steps toward realizing your ideal career vision.
Going back to school doesn’t need to be as expensive and time-consuming as you think; in fact, plenty of adults are entering the classroom and preparing to shift careers, gain skills, and claim the lives they always wanted.
Turn Your Goal Into a Reality
The first step in returning to the classroom is getting a clear vision of what you want for yourself and your career. You may begin this process by simply thinking about the things you want to have in your life that are currently lacking, like a higher salary, or more time with your family. Start by exploring how much you want to earn and the approximate work environment you’d like to have. Then you can research some of the industries expected to grow the most in the coming years to give you an idea of where work will be available. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports these projections regularly, and it can be a great source to jumpstart your dreams into reality. If you already have a clear dream job in mind, you can dive right in to becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be.
Identify (And Defeat) Hesitations
Going back to school can bring up anxieties and hesitations in even the most confident future student. As you begin your journey, examine your hesitations and come up with solutions to move your forward. Concerned about how you’ll finance your degree? The Federal Student Aid office compiles several useful resources and checklists that can help you find resources to fuel your studies. As Forbes reports, there are number of free and low-cost programs available for adults returning to college, and you can also anticipate some added relief in the form of tax breaks, scholarships, and grants.
Find The Right Program For Your Needs
Once you’ve made the decision to return to school, you’ll need to identify the program that fits your lifestyle and your interests. Depending on your situation, you may want to explore online, evening, or even study abroad opportunities. There are a number of online college resources to assist you in your search for the program that meets your budget, schedule, and academic and career goals.
Online schools offer much more in terms of programs than some may think. You can pursue high profile degrees like a Master of Business Administration, Masters of Social Work, or RN-to-BSN online. Furthermore, financial aid is just as easy to obtain for online schools. By completing a FAFSA you’re eligible for grants, loans, and additional assistance if you have served in the military. Online school is your best choice if you’re trying to learn while maintaining your current job, as you may have much more freedom over your course schedule.
Reflect and Reassess
It’s important not to lose sight of your overall goals as you navigate the world of adult education. You will likely encounter many stumbling blocks in your path, but keep in mind that, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics, a college degree can be a major contributing factor to earning a higher salary in your chosen field. The hard work of going back school as an adult will pay off in the long run, but be sure to build in ample time to re-energize and reflect on how far you’ve come before pushing even further toward your future.
I agree-
It really is never too late to go to school. I personally wouldn’t want to go back but I know people in their 40’s and 50’s who are going back to earn an advanced degree or a degree so that they can change careers.
I earned my teaching credential when I was 55 years old. It is never too late to make changes.
I don’t really want to go back for another degree. I’d rather learn some skills and then just start the execution phase.
Learning continues forever! It may or may not include school. I find that I want to do something and go out get the skills I need.
I always think back on my undergrad days and realize how much MORE I would enjoy my classes, if I was able to take them now.
Just for the sake of learning.
Instead, back then I was just focused on that piece of paper at the end of the tunnel and getting a job for some cash money!
You can now take classes online (free) just for the sake of learning.
But, don’t go back to school just because you aren’t happy with what you’re doing now otherwise you might waste time and money to still be dissatisfied. Be sure to really do some soul searching AND research into whatever you might pursue. When I say research, try to find someone already doing it and pick their brains and shadow them, if possible.
You’re right! Too many people spend so little time figuring out what they wanted to do. They fall into the trap of go after the dollars or some other superficial goal. School or additional training may be the answer, if you know wher eyou are going.
The mind functions all throughout life. There is no reason not to continue to use it as long as it’s there and working for you. Anybody that thinks there’s an age where it’s ‘too old to learn’ has probably stopped learning themselves.
As I tell my students, you never stop learning! It may not be a formal class. The internet has provided a huge learning community. Just look at the free college classes offered online as an example. If you know how to ask a a question, you find out anything on the internet.
Interesting, you got your teaching credential at 55? I think that more than anything is concrete proof that’s its never that late to pursue something you have always dreamt of. It boils down to taking concrete baby steps towards your goal.
In California, the university offers free (tuition) classes to (65 y.o. & older) seniors. There is a lot of free university classes online for personal and professional development although you do not receive credit for graduation. You also have community college and adult school for classes too. If you want to succeed, you have a lot of resources you can use.
I just left working for a private firm that helps start new middle and high school campuses. Although I was in education, it was more from the operational end. I certainly left with even more concrete opinions on graduate education, and the cost and time investment.
I think if someone needs to pursue a certificate or a professional degree (law, medicine, etc) then it’s never too late to start that new life/career path. If a person is merely looking for work in a field that doesn’t require it, a MBA may or may not help them down that road without having accumulated some strong experience first.
What’s interesting, is it was not a prerequisite for our organization to hire people with grad degrees or educational backgrounds.
I remember a friend who was accepted by Harvard for a MBA and was required to work in industry for 2 years prior to entrance. I am sure they determined the value of experience to enhance the education. In contrast, academia seeks degrees without looking for the management skills. It may be one of the reasons, education is floundering.
I can totally agree with this. One time I read a story about a guy who started to play the guitar at age 55. He recorded an album and then hit the road by age 60. Most people would have said they were too old or whatever. But not that guy. He’s doing what he loves!
It almost doesn’t matter if he is making much money as long as he enjoys what he is doing. He is living his dream!
I love this article and LOVE this reply!!
Its never too late to follow your dreams and, in some cases, its probably easier to do it in older age when you have more life experience and are towards the end of your working life.
I agree, it is never too late! I will retire in 3 years and I started to think about what I want to do. There are still a lot of things I would like to try and I am starting to put a priority to them. Is 70 years old to late? I don’t think so.
I was 43 when I became an attorney. I wish I would have gone to law school when I was a lot younger, but it is better late than never.
I had multiple careers and each one added more skills and experience. We are all the sum of our experience. You probably abetter attorney now.
I love being in class with older people. I think their opinions really add to the class and the discussions. I definitely think it’s never too late to go to school.
It is part of diversity! People of different backgrounds and experiences that make it more interesting.
Finding the right program which can suit your needs and interest becomes very important if you are planning to return to school in adulthood. You can always pursue your dream job with the right program
It may be a program, certificate, class or just training! Normally, we would just call this personal and professional development.
Anything is possible at almost any age. You just have to make sure you are doing what you truly want to do and not just using school as a cop out for not wanting to work at your current job. No need going back to school owing more money and still hating your job. Take time and learn and figure out what you want to be no matter what it is. I like learning more now then I ever did in school. I get to control what I want to read or listen to and when. Heck best of all a lot can be done for free.
I believe in lifelong learning. For some, it means going to school and others it may mean a class or just more training.
I agree, that it’s never really too late to go back to school. When I went back to get my MBA there were quite a number of people, some up to their 60’s, that had chosen that route. I am just glad I chose to do it before we had kids. 🙂
Although it is easier to return to school when you are younger, people go back to school for various reasons at all ages. I have seen 80 year olds on the news get their GED. It may be just to say they finished. Shaquille O’Neal (NBA star) and Steven Spielberg returned to get their degrees. Sometimes education is out of pride!
I am going back to school myself at the age of 37. It’s not to switch careers – it’s more just to expand the options in my current line of work. I opted to do a part time Social Work degree online so I can continue to work and fund the degree. I won’t have to take any additional loans to pay for it either. It’s a good decision for me to go this route but everyone is different!
I do not see anything wrong with it. How long will it take you to receive your degree?
As a student I always had tremendous respect for the adults going back to school. It speaks very highly of the individuals who go this route.
I think it adds to the class as well! It is also a a good way to keep your skills current.
There is no age where learning has to stop. My husband and I never really stopped going to school. It is not always traditional school, but at the very least we have never gone a semester without enrolling in something online. There are LOTS of online courses from very prestigious schools that are offered for free. I might be possibly going back to school to pursue a new career but that is still up for debate.
The Internet has made it easier to maintain your skills and learn new ones. I have a friend who earned a masters all online.
Timely article, since I’ve been thinking a lot about career choice in 17-18 year olds lately; thanks for posting. F. Scott Fitzgerald said there are no second acts in American lives, but he was too pessimistic. I can get behind a career switch!
I am working on my 7th career, but they were all related! Every career evolves and changes, you either change with it or not.
I’m only in my 20s and sometimes I feel like it’s too late!I know it’s not, really, so I’m going through the motions to do what I want to do. It’s hard work but worth it.
It is never too late! I am constantly changing or improving. You should always work toward your goals.
Great post. This is timely for me as well as I am researching a completely new career. Currently I work in Non-profit, however I am realizing that it is highly unlikely this trajectory will afford me the life I desire. I am considering quitting and becoming a Court Reporter. From what I understand it is extremely difficult and has a 92% drop out rate. But it is a lucrative (several reporters in the cities I am interested in make 90k-over 100k annually), flexible career. Considering I already have a BA and am 80% complete with a Masters degree that most likely wont result in the pay-off I desire, I’m extremely conflicted.
I think you are focusing on the salary versus the job. You may want to examine what you really want to do because you will spend a lot of years doing it. If you like what you do, you will do well and the money will follow. Talk to the people in the placement office or your professors. Stat with what you enjoy.
Staying challenged is what keeps life interesting. Although I don’t have plans to go back to school full time, I’m in scuba diving school right now! I never thought I’d have the courage to do it, but here I am. It feels weird having homework.
Personal development is as important as professional development! Good for you.
I think I might add to seek someone out in the area you believe may hold your dream job. Really figure out if your perception of it is the same what the person describes.
I would go further and have an informational interview and ask if you could shadow them for a period of time.
I’m done with formal education, but these resources are great for when Baby Buck heads off to college. Thanks!
You’re welcome. The trend is to take classes online for professional and personal development. Many of which are free!