What would be something I could go back to school for at almost 38?

21 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 11:41AM UTC

   OP here - forgot to add that my current degree is in marketing.

2. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 12:22PM UTC

   Are you interested in healthcare? Many opportunities for Medical Assisting, coding and billing, front office staff. Phlebotomy is about 3 months and the certification is around $950. You could go all in for a nursing degree as well. Depending on where you live, most of the degree programs love "older" nurses. (but that is more debt of course)

3. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 12:27PM UTC

   What’s your goal in going back to school? Do you want to improve your skills, shift to a new field? I wouldn’t spend a dime on a new degree without being totally clear on my career trajectory.

   You need to do the work, on your own, to figure out next steps in your career path. No one on this board can randomly give you actionable advice on an expensive degree with the info you’ve provided here. Consider a career coach who can help you navigate next steps before committing to a pricey program.

4. Nick DinucciJuly 6,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

   Anything if you have development first always learning mindset

5. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 1:05PM UTC

   I would look for companies that offer education as a benefit. I earned my Masters degree completely free. Many companies that are publicly traded offer full education packages. I never paid a dime fir tuition or books and supplies.

6. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJuly 6,2024 at 1:49PM UTC

   Well you should go back to school for something that interests you. What are the possibilities? I recommend speaking to a career counselor you can find one at https://www.ncda.org or check with your university’s career center. Many offer career counseling to alumni.

   Take time to consider your financial goals, your skills, interests, personality and values as you make this decision.

7. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 2:12PM UTC

   Go to school for something you love and want to learn.

8. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 2:45PM UTC

   I recommend reading either of the books Designing Your Life or Designing Your Work Life by Burnett and Evans.

   The books are crafted to help you ask yourself key questions, give examples, and create plans.

   Narrowing down your skills (or what you're open to learning), your passion, your financial requirements, your timeline for ROI, what type of work is trending, work life balance are all key when deciding on this step for further education.

   It's also important to identify your learning styles, preferences, courses of interest, the pedigree of the school, etc. For some people, it's a worthwhile investment to go into debt to go to a prestigious school with a noteworthy faculty and alumni network. For others, what is the cheapest (accredited) way to get those credentials. Then there is anything in-between.

   You can then start contacting the schools and ask them a series of questions to make sure you know what isn't in their marketing. (e.g. one question to ask is what is the avg. age of the student cohort- some places focus on traditional 20 somethings- some focus on mix or working adults- some it's totally asynchronous with limited cohort interaction. Another question is about scholarships).
   Certificates and micro-credentialing/badging is an increasingly popular pathway. You may want to contact schools that focus on those and ask about stacking (can the smaller courses transfer to a higher degree).

   By doing some of the preparation and reaching out to schools, you'll also start to see what their personnel is like. If their staff / student advisors and courses offer the answers that give you peace of mind---give it a go.

   Good luck!

9. AnonymousJuly 7,2024 at 12:14PM UTC

   This is wonderful and specific advice

10. AnonymousJuly 6,2024 at 6:51PM UTC

    Yes, it's just awful how expensive graduate school is; I paid off my loans in my 60's as I was your age when I entered a masters/doctoral program. There are masters' programs that will propel you into a field almost immediately, for example social worker, mental health counselor, or software engineer. But first ask yourself if you want graduate school for intellectual reasons, for job training, or just to get out of (possibly) a rotten situation. They are all valid reasons to seek further education but target your ambition towards the degree that will satisfy your motivation!

11. AnonymousJuly 7,2024 at 12:30AM UTC

    40's isn't old.

12. AnonymousJuly 7,2024 at 2:22AM UTC

    38 is young, unless you're starting a career as a ballerina, tai kwan do practitioner, or applicant to certain federal agencies like the FBI. Outside of those, the world is probably your oyster. Follow your interests, develop a 5 year plan, and embark on an amazing journey!

13. MaryaliceJuly 7,2024 at 12:46PM UTC

    Years ago when I was working at a local hospital I found that I had the opportunity for the hospital to pay for most of additional education and was accepted into a master’s degree program and was in my thirties and was nervous about being able to get back to school mode again after 10+ years and found myself learning much more intensely and especially when the program was two classes per semester on the weekends and 8 hour classes! Learning, really learning, not just for the test was an ultimate challenge and studying Biochemistry for 8 straight hours had me thinking STOP at the 3 hour point BUT I did it. So you can too. There were a few others around my age. I’m sure now it’s completely different with computer based classes. The internet was not even a thing back then! It was old fashioned library and books and I was just learning how to use the computer as a reference!

14. Michelle SiskoJuly 8,2024 at 2:43AM UTC

    If you already have a bachelors degree, many community colleges have certificate programs you can finish in less than 2 years without a crazy course load. I got a paralegal certificate in 18 months taking 2 classes a semester. They didn’t offer classes in the summer because most of the teachers were lawyers and they didn’t want to teach in the summer. Otherwise I could have done it in a year.

15. AnonymousJuly 8,2024 at 11:43AM UTC

    Anything, yes, anything.

16. Megan LeasherJuly 8,2024 at 12:41PM UTC

    I would first have to ask where your passions and talents are. Without knowing more context, I can offer two recommendations: becoming a paralegal or becoming a PMP (as a project manager can work in so many fields). Minimal schooling and both in-demand.

17. AnonymousJuly 8,2024 at 1:11PM UTC

    Forgive me but as a criminal law paralegal for over 15 years, I have to disagree. Paralegal jobs require a Bachelor’s and over time a masters or law degree. I am working on my masters degree now and second BS. Legal admin or legal assistants positions do not require college degrees usually, but most LA or LAS have one anyway. If you are looking to get into law but do not wish to progress your education I would start there. Paralegal is a professional position and has professional requirements. I often use the analogy,

    we are to lawyers what nurses are to doctors.

18. AnonymousJuly 8,2024 at 2:04PM UTC

    What are you interested in? So many possibilities. Even better if you have an employer with a tuition reimbursement policy or student loan assistance program.

    When I was 40, I was a relatively new mom and was debating going back to school for my MBA. I ended picking up running as a hobby instead and completed a few half marathons. I no longer run...and miss it. But I wish I had gone the MBA route instead.

19. AnonymousJuly 8,2024 at 2:39PM UTC

    Don't knock the certificate. I'd rather hire someone with a certificate in what I need than someone with just another generic MBA. What do you think you want to pivot to?

    If going back to school is something you really want to do, check with your state workforce development program. Sometimes they have tuition assistance programs for adults returning to education. There are also usually grants/scholarships available either through your state or through the school.

20. ANGELA T.July 8,2024 at 3:20PM UTC

    age is nothing. I'm 40 doing an MBA and PMP certification. What industry are you working in now; that might be a place to start considering. Or, if you're looking to pivot; what are you looking to go into?

21. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 10,2024 at 3:17AM UTC

    Can you be more specific when you say go back to school?

    Are you thinking of getting an Associates degree or an MBA? What certification are you currently working toward?

    What positions have you previously held?