Starting college at 34?

[hrodbert696]

I'll just weigh in to concur with a few things that have been said already:

1) As far as ability to succeed in college, don't worry - I've often seen "non-traditional" (i.e. older) students who are far more organized and motivated than the "traditional" young'uns.

2) As far as careers, since career seems to be a major issue you're concerned about, research carefully ahead of time. Stuff like IT, health care-related fields, engineering, accounting, always seem to be in demand. There are other fields too for the more liberal-arts minded, like law and public service.

3) Watch your expenses and debt carefully, because with ballooning tuition at many places, it can get out of control. You're not going to have as much of your working career ahead of you to pay down massive $100,000 debts as a 21-year-old would. See about in-state tuitions in your state university system and research financial aid, grants and scholarships thoroughly.

4) Think about a master's degree while you're at it; there are a lot of careers now where it's the master's degree that counts more than the bachelor's. Don't get intimidated by it, though. It's usually just a year or two, not another four, and the courses are ALL in your field of interest rather than having to bounce from English to Physics to Sociology like an undergrad. A PhD doesn't yield much better in average incomes than a plain BA but people who have master's degrees have the highest average incomes of all.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

4) Think about a master's degree while you're at it; there are a lot of careers now where it's the master's degree that counts more than the bachelor's. Don't get intimidated by it, though. It's usually just a year or two, not another four, and the courses are ALL in your field of interest rather than having to bounce from English to Physics to Sociology like an undergrad. A PhD doesn't yield much better in average incomes than a plain BA but people who have master's degrees have the highest average incomes of all.

Got to agree with taking a masters, if you can. So many fields are very competative these days that a regular degree sometimes doesn't cut it (though this obviously depends on the field you are in!).

Don't know if you get them in the US, but over here there seems to be more and more undergraduate masters courses (basically they just tack an extra year on the end off the UG, but you don't get a seperate bachelors).

Don't know if I agree with the PhD vs Masters income part though:

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[lfmn16]

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.

I'd like to see those statistics. I've never heard of any comparison where people with a four year degree don't significantly out-earn people without a degree ON AVERAGE. There are exceptions. Check out the facts: Invalid Link Removed

 

[bassguppy]

Of course 34 is not too old at all to start college.

You'll be forced to work until you're 80-85 so you got 40+ more years. Do you actually think you're going to have a safety net in your old age?

 

[placedesjardins]

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?

34 is not too old. There are plenty of people who go back to school to get a masters or doctorate in their 30s so there's no biggie going to get a bachelors in your 30s.
I changed careers in my mid 30s.
Anyways, I would not suggest "Public Relations", "Mass Communications", "Political Science" or anything that will set you up for a career in insurance sales.

As for good majors, Accounting, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Nursing (you don't have to be... you know... even though there are a lot of them in that major).

Careers: doctor, dentist, nurse, physician's assistant, lawyer, software engineering.

Job in your 40's: nurse, accountant, lawyer, computer programmer, IT consultant, 911 operator... I don't know what color your parachute is so that's hard to say.

 

[kserg]

Plenty people do it. I've seen a lot of 30+ in school.

I am actually thinking of going back and i just turned 31... Grant it i only have like a year left.

 

[kserg]

Also, "a lot of people go to school for 10 years... they are called doctors..."

 

[MJ5150]

Tommy Boy reference FTW! Well sort of, he said seven years.

-Mike

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I always prefered the term tax-dodgers.

TomAto Tomato

 

[Unprofessional]

Dude, go for it. Sort of because of the Great Recession, I'm working on my second master's at 50 and I should finish it next year. I'm plugging away part-time because I have to hold down a full-time job to pay the bills. I finished the first master's at age 34 also while working full-time.
As for what to major in, only you can really decide that for yourself. Look at what's in demand and determine what you might find interesting. I would not recommend medieval art history, but who knows?
I agree that it's not a good idea to borrow a bunch of money to make it happen. Try to be as "pay as you go" as you can.
And, yes, college is still geared toward 19 year olds. I had an instructor a while back who insisted on calling me "sir" all the time. I just chuckled about it and made fun of myself for being old. The "kids" may look at you a little funny at first but they'll eventually accept you as basically being in the same boat with them.

 

[jaywa]

Great place to meet chicks... if that's a consideration for you.

 

[kserg]

Tommy Boy reference FTW! Well sort of, he said seven years.

-Mike

Close enough.

 

[Stumbo]

How well did you do in high school?

Do you do much reading now? Writing? How many research papers have you written? Do you have 60 hours a week to put in for study? IME, the more time you put in the more you get out of it, especially when the prerequisites are the building blocks for more advanced courses.

If you're not used to reading/studying/writing for hours on end, it may be a major stumbling block to your success.

I'm not saying you can't do it, just be realistic.

You might want to check out the Invalid Link Removed for further information on future employment predictions by occupation, fastest growing, pay levels, etc. It's a wealth of info that may help you figure out what exactly you want to accomplish.

Also remember that you'll have to survive on beginner's pay and figure that into your calculations.

Good luck.

Btw, my wife returned to school and 40 and received her BA/Master's in 6 years. She's very happy with her new profession (Marriage,Child and Family Therapist).