Going Back 2 Skool & Changing Careers Thread - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Scorponok · 01-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Hi CP,

After many years in the graphic design industry, my interest in law has grown - so much so that now I am beginning to think about a career in this field.

The problem is, I have been out of school since around 1996, and really don't know how well I would do going back to school and being surrounded by all those hot college women.

But really, what are some of the challenges facing students that are now old farts hopping back onto [-]co-eds[/-] college/university?

I did do alright in high school and first semester of university courses, getting A's and B's in all my classes, but it's been such a long time.

I thought maybe this thread could be an all-encompassing thread on changing careers and going back to school, and maybe helping those who are considering it, or are already doing it.

keenan87 · 01-09-2012, 05:34 PM

Do not be the know it all and tell everyone about "your past experience".

Thor · 01-09-2012, 05:37 PM

Do it, don't hesitate.

About 2 yrs ago I asked CP if I should do this, and the overwhelming response was yes.

I was 36 and bored to tears of my career, and now over 2 yrs later I'm working in a field I absolutely love and couldn't have been happier with my decision.

I found that the age didn't matter going back, you'll be shocked at how many people are doing just what your thinking of doing, plus of course the added bonus of the females are still young and lovely

With grades I also found things way easier than when I was in my 20's, its because now I'm doing it solely for myself, not for my parents or anyone else. Studying became almost fun, still hard work but at least you approach it all differently, this is your money your spending and you take things way more seriously without forgetting to enjoy it too.

Jump into it, get excited and don't look back, the worst case scenario is you blew a few years learning new things, meeting new friends and enriching your life. If anyone wants to tell you to not waste time and money on this, they are either stupid, or well stupid.

Thor · 01-09-2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keenan87

Do not be the know it all and tell everyone about "your past experience".

Oh god yes this 1000000 times yes.

You'll find yourself wanting to do this more than you can imagine, don't do it.

scotty2hotty · 01-09-2012, 05:42 PM

Thor ... what field were you in and what did you switch over to?

Frequitude · 01-09-2012, 05:44 PM

I think law puts a pretty big emphasis on spelling.

Frequitude · 01-09-2012, 05:51 PM

Kidding aside, I'm halfway through doing my MBA in the evenings at the UofC after work. I don't know if your local university offers an evening law program, but I highly recommend it if you have the time. I definitely get overloaded at times, but it's been nice to continue my career while going to school. I also couldn't imagine giving up the paycheck.

Another good thing about the evening program is that everyone else is in the same boat and they are older and more experienced. We definitely have more than a few 40+ year olds.

JohnnyB · 01-09-2012, 06:21 PM

I am planning a change right now too. Kind of funny as I've just finished a graduate degree in my field, but I feel like I want to try something different.

flylock shox · 01-09-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frequitude

I think law puts a pretty big emphasis on spelling.

You'd be suprised...

Hack&Lube · 01-09-2012, 06:36 PM

I think it's time for you to transform.

JMN · 01-09-2012, 06:59 PM

Good luck to your career change!

For me, I'm looking at continuing my education further. I've really grown to enjoy doing contracts and project management. So with that, I was looking at doing a Contracts or Projects Management certificate at Mount Royal. My problem is that I'm not really sure if either of these certificates will be beneficial and help my career.

Flabbibulin · 01-09-2012, 08:14 PM

Does anyone have much experience making a drastic change like this when you're married with kids? I would imagine that would make things very stressful.

We don't have kids yet, but planning on it in the next couple years- problem is I hate my job. A lot of people look at me a little cross-eyed when I say this as I have a very good job... still, I hate it. Want to do my MBA and possibly stay working where I am, but not sure if that would allow me enough time to focus on the school

freedogger · 01-09-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Does anyone have much experience making a drastic change like this when you're married with kids? I would imagine that would make things very stressful.

We don't have kids yet, but planning on it in the next couple years- problem is I hate my job. A lot of people look at me a little cross-eyed when I say this as I have a very good job... still, I hate it. Want to do my MBA and possibly stay working where I am, but not sure if that would allow me enough time to focus on the school

You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle.

- Steve Jobs

Traditional_Ale · 01-09-2012, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thor

Do it, don't hesitate.

About 2 yrs ago I asked CP if I should do this, and the overwhelming response was yes.

I was 36 and bored to tears of my career, and now over 2 yrs later I'm working in a field I absolutely love and couldn't have been happier with my decision.

I found that the age didn't matter going back, you'll be shocked at how many people are doing just what your thinking of doing, plus of course the added bonus of the females are still young and lovely

With grades I also found things way easier than when I was in my 20's, its because now I'm doing it solely for myself, not for my parents or anyone else. Studying became almost fun, still hard work but at least you approach it all differently, this is your money your spending and you take things way more seriously without forgetting to enjoy it too.

Jump into it, get excited and don't look back, the worst case scenario is you blew a few years learning new things, meeting new friends and enriching your life. If anyone wants to tell you to not waste time and money on this, they are either stupid, or well stupid.

This is such a good post.

lilyukyuk · 01-09-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorponok

Hi CP,

After many years in the graphic design industry, my interest in law has grown - so much so that now I am beginning to think about a career in this field.

The problem is, I have been out of school since around 1996, and really don't know how well I would do going back to school and being surrounded by all those hot college women.

But really, what are some of the challenges facing students that are now old farts hopping back onto [-]co-eds[/-] college/university?

I did do alright in high school and first semester of university courses, getting A's and B's in all my classes, but it's been such a long time.

I thought maybe this thread could be an all-encompassing thread on changing careers and going back to school, and maybe helping those who are considering it, or are already doing it.

I'm all about self improvement and seeking the career you love yada yada...that being said, law is a beast that requires a lot of research before you try and tame it. There are a lot easier ways to make money.

Mr.Coffee · 01-09-2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyukyuk

I'm all about self improvement and seeking the career you love yada yada...that being said, law is a beast that requires a lot of research before you try and tame it. There are a lot easier ways to make money.

like asking for a raise?

lilyukyuk · 01-09-2012, 11:32 PM

...like I wish I wasn't one. =)

Inferno · 01-09-2012, 11:43 PM

I'll be going back to school in a month to take what I always planned on taking but made a bad school choice (Video game art).

I was worried about cost and being so far away from my family at first but I thought about it and I'm 30, not really happy with where my life is and I don't want to look back 20 years from now and wonder what if so I'm going for it.

I figured with my class being only 12 students I would be the old guy surrounded by a bunch of kids who just graduated high school but it turns out there's two other students in their late 20s. And to top it off I know two are from Calgary and that atleast one is a Flames fan.

T@T · 01-10-2012, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scorponok

Going Back 2 Skool & Changing Careers Thread

After many years in the graphic design industry, my interest in law has grown

It's a good thing your picking law and not an english teaching degree, these days even lawyers don't need to know how to spell ...spellcheck is an awesome tool.

Thor · 01-10-2012, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotty2hotty

Thor ... what field were you in and what did you switch over to?

I went from management/sales to IT, even though people wonder how that was a fun change. I've always been a tech guy, just resisted it for some odd reason all these years, took a while to figure out what line of work I would truly enjoy so when I finally made the switch I knew right away this was the right move for me.

The best is I am still studying while working, after getting a wack of certifcations from Microsoft, Cisco, Comptia, I'm now working on Oracel with my Red hat cert.