Advice: Going back to school, in your 30's

[Titan]

Someone said: "Should I go back to school? By the time I am done I will be XX (insert your age)"

Answer: "You will be XX anyways."

[Titan]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I'm gonna do this too. Got a specialized oil and gas degree in an abysmal market. Thinking accounting, finance or law. Probably accounting then try to get in an industry I have passion about because every industry needs accountants.

I'm old as balls like you guys, just turned 30, focusing on health is huge. It keeps me positive and motivated.

For the love of God, don't go to Law school unless you are absolutely sure (or at least pretty sure) what you want to do when you are done, what it will take to get to that point and what it actually means to do it. Do your research first. There is a reason the attrition rate is so high for lawyers.

[Johnny199r]

Props to those going back to school in their 30s. I'm in my 30s and wouldn't be put off by the prospect either.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Titan

Man. I re-read this entire thread to get to ONE new post. Although a bit of a let down, no offence Johnny, I did get to reminisce about Dess and Moon. That made it worth it.

Yeah, my bad. I guess time flies on CP. I was just thinking about writing something on going back to uni when I remembered there already being a thread about it. Did a search and bumped without realising it was so far in the past!

[V]

I don't see the point of putting your career on hold because you want an MBA. I just finished mine at the end of 2014. I was in the part time program, and it took me 2 years to complete the program, essentially the same as a full time student. It's really a pretty simple program, and if you take it seriously there's no reason you can't finish it quickly on a part time basis.

I was 33 when I started. I also had four kids when I started. Any excuse that you're too old, or have too many other committments don't really fly with me.

[Mass_nerder]

I went back at 26. Just finishing my BA this spring, and handing in a masters application for architecture on Friday, which would take me to 33. I sometimes regret being a student when all of my friends are moving forward in their careers. I'm pretty passionate about this career though, so I think it'll be worth it. If it's something you are passionate about, you have to do it!

[Thor]

Holy crap its been 7 yrs!?! But yes hell yes go back if you are thinking about it. Not a day goes by that I am not happy about the decision.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by V

I don't see the point of putting your career on hold because you want an MBA. I just finished mine at the end of 2014. I was in the part time program, and it took me 2 years to complete the program, essentially the same as a full time student. It's really a pretty simple program, and if you take it seriously there's no reason you can't finish it quickly on a part time basis.

I was 33 when I started. I also had four kids when I started. Any excuse that you're too old, or have too many other committments don't really fly with me.

I previously looked at doing it part-time and was actually registered in UBC's IMBA program here in Shanghai last year, but I pulled out because I wasn't happy with the value I was seeing. After a bit more reflection, I decided I was pretty willing to go full-time to join something that would be a better experience and not to worry about my current career as I'm at a natural transition point anyways and a year of doing an MBA will probably end up with me being ahead in the long-run anyhow. Also, I'm just the type of person who likes to be completely thrown into something and be consumed by it, which my job would not allow to happen with part-time studies.

Funnily enough, after my M.Ed (which I did part-time) I felt I would never go back to full-time studies, but for the MBA I kind of want the fun and intensity of the fully immersive experience with classmates.

Edit: Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting that part-time programs offer less value, just that UBC's IMBA program in particular offered less value than I wanted.

[WilsonFourTwo]

For what it's worth, I'm in my late 30's and am headed back to school (first day today).

I've known several people who have gone back in their late 20s, a handful in their 30s, and one who had just turned 50. I've yet to hear anyone say they regret the decision.

On the flip side, as someone who has been the decision maker on hiring, I'll admit a little bit of bias towards those who pursue an education later in life. There's an assumption that they've gone back for 'the right reasons' and not simply because it's what you do when you finish primary education.

In short - go for it!

[peter12]

I have been thinking on and off about an MBA for the last year or so. My wife is in the process of choosing a law school, and if she decides to stay here, I would probably go ahead and do it.

[Huntingwhale]

I'm lucky enough that my company paid for my schooling and I ended up getting 2 diplomas out of it. If I had a way to sustain my quality of life (ie got rich), I would totally go back. Not to advance my career, but to take something that I enjoy learning. I'd love to go back and learn about music theory or astronomy.

[darklord700]

Young people in other parts of the world like Asia are fighting over each other just to get to the door of a college. Old geezers in those part of the world have no chance of being accepted to college. It's a blessing to be able to go back to school in your 30s or whatnot.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...nce-exams.html

[White Out 403]

My Dad at 74 is going to take some classes at U of C, since it's free to him as a senior. I'm so glad thats available to him right now with all the turmoil and change that will be going on in his life. Hell one day I think ill take up on this when I'm old and gray.

But now at 35 with a baby coming and bills... I can't imagine how I could afford school.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Forget school. Go to start of thread and read the Dess/Moon exchange. It will change your life.

[Locke]

Amateurs!

Going back to school to school in your 30s? I've got a friend in his 30s who hasnt left yet!