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Starting college at 34?

I have been thinking about going to college to get a degree so i can earn some real money. Is 34 too old? I know its never too late, blah blah blah. But realistically, is it a good idea? What degree to get? What careers to look at? Where could i start working at 40 years old? Any advice?

Why not?

I'm fifty, already have a degree in Computer Science, and fully intend to indulge my late-in-life found passion for Constitutional Law by getting a law degree as soon as my kids are safely on their own.

You are never too old to learn something.
 
I have a college degree that I used to use. I made about 65-70K with it.
Now I don't use my degree skills in my current job and make 70-75K.
90% of it is how hard you apply yourself to anything, that said 70K a year jobs w/o degrees are becoming A LOT harder to find and Im glad I have my B.A. just in case...
 
Go for it.

My situation: Although I did get my Associate's in Electronics right out of high school, and that along with my later Electrical classes, training, and licenses, is primarily what I utilize in my current career, I did "go back to school" in my early 30's to complete a Bachelor's degree, which I did complete when I was 35.

I really didn't care what it was in, so I simply got my B.S. in Management/Org Dev because it was relatively easy (no calculus or foreign language), classes were all in the evening (I have a family and a life of course), and it satisfies my employer's four year degree requirement if I ever want to leave my current technical job and pursue a position in management.

Not to mention being a stepping stone if I ever get crazy ambitious and decide to pursue an MBA or a Doctor of Jurisprudence when and if I ever grow up. :)

As far as degrees to pursue, and regardless of my own degree, I would NOT advise pursuing a degree in Management unless you are already a manager and simply need the credentuals.

Look into a technical field such as computer/information technology/electronics, or a degree in the medical field.

And do not overlook Associate's degrees and your local community college.

Two year degrees are often just the thing to opening new careers without the tremendous time requirements of four year degrees, and are often geared for the mature, career transitioning student.

It is a fact that many if not most four year institutions are simply geared for the "fresh out of high school" demographic.

Whatever you do, good luck. :)

Remember, in a few years you're going to be a few years older either with or without a degree.
 
A couple years ago I realized I hated my job and was miserable. I decided to go back to school to do what I always wanted to do, which is nursing. I talked it over with my wife and she said go for it, so I have! I will graduate as an RN in May of 2014 at the age of 40. It's never too late!
 
I am 40 , married with three kids, got a degree in accounting at 30 in Mexico, currently pursuing a master in finance. Time will pass no matter what, you can start attending college right now and get the degree in few years or do nothing and wait few years to say to yourself, damn why i did not went to college when i wanted, i could be a doctor by now,
 
Totally depends on what career your looking to pursue. Do you have any work experience? If so, you may want to pursue some sort of Invalid Link Removed instead. It will save you time and money, and will show employers that you've worked to improve your overall resume.
 
Went back to get my BSN last year, at age 34. I've been a firefighter/medic since 18 and this is just a natural progression for me. With the way things are, nursing is about the only career I see with long term stability. Besides, I'm not going to be stuck wiping butts the rest of my life, there's literally thousands of jobs I can do with a BSN.

Go for it man... the only thing you'll hate is having to be in classes with whiny, complaining, constantly talking in class 19 and 20 year old kids. It's really annoying.
 
I got my degree at 40. I was married (no kids) working full time and playing in a part time band. It wasn't easy, but it was the best thing I ever did. I went from financial planning to computer programming. I took a $10,000 cut in pay, but 14 years later I'm making three times what I was making then.

Having a degree in anything opens up a lot of doors.
 
Don't ever pass up an opportunity. At 18, went to college with high aspirations, did not cut the grades I needed, but ended up with a Medical Technology degree nonetheless.

At 30, recognizing my educational and career limitations, I went back to school for engineering. This propelled my life in a completely different and positive direction, and I have never regretted it.

IMHO, I don't think that most 18 year olds are mature enough to excel in education. Going back at 30 made a world of difference from a life experience and maturity perspective.

To close, GO FOR IT. You are in your prime and can only make your life better.

Chris
 
I went back college in my 50's to study journalism. I was planning on pursuing that as a career but decided against it. It was a great experience though. I learned a lot more than journalism from all the other students and just from the experience of being in school. Here is a short editorial I wrote about it, don't take it completely serious there is some truth here but I had a lot of fun writing it. Scroll down to the article titled "learning when to be Quiet."
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I'm planning on going back to school in the next year or so to begin work on a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. I've always had a fondness for history, and at the age of 58 I feel the time is right for me to return to school, also Massachusetts state colleges are tuition-free for students age 60 and older. The chances are that I'll probably have to work for the rest of my life, so I might as well get a degree in something I like and see if I can't make some kind of living at it. It'll sure beat working as a slave for the rest of my days!
 
If you can do it without incurring any debt, then it is a worthwhile endeavor. Otherwise, give it a pass unless you are just looking for a more enjoyable career. If you are going back in an effort to make more money, then statistically, you won't make enough additional to justify the student loans, so don't do it.

Evaluate your priorities, and make your choice based on that.

Fun, interest, variety = YES

More money = NO
 
livinitup0 said:
I'm a single dad with 2 kids and am thinking about starting college at 30...I'd pretty much get all the financial aid I'd need but I honestly have no idea what I'd want to study though.

Well, that's the most important part.
If you go to college without an aim, just to go... chances are you will not get a lot out of it.