Career Change

[swampcedars]

I have been thinking about going back to school on the weekends to train for a new career, one that will be quite a bit different from what I do now. I am in the process of applying for enrollment for next year and in the mean time I am already signed up to take some required course work for the the program and this will give me a good idea if it's the right change/path for me.

I am not quiting my day job since I still need income and some bennefits and am trying to pay as I go to avoid debt.

The reasons I am looking into doing this (nearly 40 years of age now) is for job security, good pay, to learn things that will bennefit me daily for the rest of my life in skills and health and to have flexible employment in terms of hours and location.

Has anyone out there done this or thinking of it? What was your experience like?

Thanks.

-Swamp

[gump]

I have known 2 people to drop their careers like a bad habit and return to school in 2 yr programs for RN careers. *Although every career has its downfalls, last time I checked they were happy. *They really improved their leverage over employers due to the RN shortage, enjoy flexible schedules and get paid overtime (wish I had this *:'(). *The ROI for them has been great - attended 2 yr in-state programs, decent starting salaries and their pay has increased at a rate above the national avg. *Not to mention, they can go anywhere in the US and get a job within 2 weeks.....I can't.

Swamp, I encourage you to go for it. *If you can identify a position or career where you can become indispensible to the employer and one you enjoy for the most part, go for it!! *You have to look out for yourself and manage your career accordingly.

BTW - they went back to school when they were in their early-mid 30's.

[Rogue33]

Do it.......Continue your education because that is job security and not the job......It is you and what you possess in your noggin....

People have it wrong.........Forget job security by job.......get job security by education...

[Viking]

With a specific goal in mind getting additional education to achieve that goal is commendable . ;D

The true pitfall of education comes when over-indulgence occurs and the re-molding of one's core values and ethics are seriously compromised. Good luck and go for it. ;D

[Terri]

I did it when I was in my mid to late 30's.

With a full time job, overtime, and a husband, I started out taking general ed courses in the evening and on weekends, and after 3 1/2 years of this I was burned out and I quit my (now part-time) job to be able to finish college. I was pretty tired.

I got my 2 year nursing degree in that 4 years, and I do not regret the effort.

If you are 40, you have 25 to 30 years still to go on the work force. Spend that time on whatever job you choose: either the type of job you have now or the better job you hope to get. The decision is totally yours!

[hshess]

Only advice I can give is to JUMP. You'll never regret it.

[Flower_Man]

Go for it!!!

I did the same thing at 40. I has been great to finally get paid for all those hard earned life experiences. Every day I wake up saying I can't believe they are paying me to do this.

Good luck

[hunter63]

I second that "Go for it!"
Do it when you have a choice, (still have your job).
Real pain when you have to do it.
Still it was a gas going to school with everyone from 17 year olds to old guys like me.

I helps you meet people and get different ideas, possibly find your self being interested in something you would never thought of.

Was forced into it by a plant closing.
So chose HVAC as my new career, figuring that people will always need heat, and they like their A/C.

So whether I work for someone else, or do it on my own, I will always have work.
Something I can do as much or as little as I want, for as long as I want.

[Wyobuckaroo]

Howdy

Count me in the "GO FOR IT" column.

I did it at age 39. Graduated tec college when son was a baby. DW went back to college and changed careers when kids were about 12 years old.

Hard, yes, at times. Impossible, no. Worth it, hell yes.

Best wishes
Wyo

[swampcedars]

Thanks for the support and sharing some experiences!

-Swamp

[kcman]

Go to a career counselor at a college, junior college, or (public, not-for-profit) technical school.

Ask to take some aptitude tests (what you are naturally good at), achievement tests (how much math, science, reading, etc. you remember) and one or more interest surveys (like science or hate it? working alone or with people?, etc.). Do it even if you have to pay a small fee. It shouldn't cost much, if anything.

Most people have a good idea what they want, why and know their strengths and weaknesses. Not everyone, though. Some people (not implying you are one of this crowd) only take a course because they see it as a way to make money - even though they really don't have an interest. I've seen people enroll in nursing who hated science or didn't really like to work with people. The didn't last because the field really didn't suit them.

IMO stay away from the expensive private technical schools. They make their money up front when you sign a contract to lay out a large amount of money and continue making payments - whether you continue there or not.

Check their drop out statistics. How many people start a particular course of study versus how many complete it? One highly rated and successful private institute you've probably heard advertise on TV has a drop out rate of over 70%. That isn't the sign of a good school.

Stay with the public junior college or technical school. They frequently are required by law to help place students in the career field. Check to see their placement rate. Those numbers should be publicly available.

That said, I've seen quite a few people make the leap to something they've always wanted to do and be very successful and happy with the result. The comments from others above prove it is possible.

A couple of thoughts - unless it is physically impossible, the only thing that can prevent you from getting what you want is YOU. How bad do you want it?

WHETHER YOU THINK YOU CAN, OR THINK YOU CAN'T, YOU'RE RIGHT!

KC (stepping down from soapbox...)

[wvpeach1963]

Me, After the kids all finally got out of college I decided I was done working for money only.

Going to work for enjoyment at something fulfilling the rest of my life hopefully.

Would tell you how its going , but only been at it since last November, havn't found my nitch yet.

But know its just a matter of time.

Go for it, life is too short to have a job you hate every day.

[Archangel]

Mine is a bit different, Iretired from the Military, went back to school, and now teach. Michael

[Rama_das]

ArmySgt did it!!!! you can do IT.

i'm starting school this fall too. we should do a study tip thread. . .

[rassd71]

My brother did it in his mid to late 30's. He was a machinist and looked around at his coworkers and they were all ok, as long as they worked, but no real future and little security. A lost contract would close an entire line. And with more and more manufacturing leaving the state, he went to night school and became certified as a network admin and has been doing that now for over a decade and hasn't been happier.

Follow your heart, check it out and if it feels right, GO FOR IT!

[StephiLou]

Swamp,

Both my Mom and my Dad did this. My Mom is the Director of Career Services at the College here and also teaches at Eastern IL Univ. I know that when my parents went back, they ended up getting credit for what they had been doing. (my Dad was a metal worker and ran his own business)

Of course, they had to write papers and prove that they had the experience they said they did, but it saved Dad 2 years of school and Mom 1 1/2. I can ask my Mom about this if you want. Let me know. :)

Good luck!

Steph

[RNKaren]

DO IT!

I think that older students make better students - it's not as if you'll be partying, and most people later in life realize that this is their chance, and they are paying to attend!

I went to nursing school, and it was rough financially at the time, but so worth it afterward! For the first 2 years, I worked 3-12hr night shifts a week, with four days off and brought home $22.00 an hour. This is about the average pay for most areas of the country.

Have you checked into financial aid like Pell grants? The more people in your household, and with less income, you could qualify! Also, student loans are not a bad route if you only borrow what you need. The interest rates are lower than most types of loan, and some of them are interest-deferred while your in school.

Made the jump, but be sure you check out job placement rates for whatever you choose - make sure that you are going into a marketable profession with decent earning potential. And that you will enjoy it. Lots of jobs are different than the school experience was. I know that "real world" nursing is a lot different than the "by the book" stuff they teach you in school. I love it most days - I like to be able to help people and get paid a decent wage for what I do. There are always rude people, etc. in whatever you do, but most people are appreciative of healthcare workers.

Computer fields are great, there are other healthcare fields that people don't think about as much - respiratory therapists, surgical techs, paramedics, all make decent money with a 2-year degree.

Good luck to you!

[eeyore]

Swamp i think it is a great idea, got a fiend going to do it he is going to switch from computers to nursing. I'm thinking of taking a two year nursing program.

Even if you just get the knowledge in what every field it is, can that be a bad thing?

[ArmySGT.]

Rama Das is correct. I quit the Army and I am now a college student.

In fact I start class monday. I am studying Gunsmithing at a small State college. Don't stay in a job if you don't like it. That job will never get better and your resentment will grow.

Public colleges do offer free aptitude testing so does the unemployment office. Try them out.

Paul

[Archangel]

Army Sgt. good to hear from you again, Michael

[Hogleg]

I retired from the USAF Law Enforcement due to burn out. I went to school for Electrical Maintenance. I worked a few jobs upon graduation and found them to be low paying and not for me. I found a job in Law Enforcement radio dispatch work.
I may be the exception but, I truely value the experience I gained working in other fields. Both usefull experience and the type of experience that makes me realize that my original job really is not that bad.

I enjoyed the adventure of the change.

I would recomend it.

[Arkansas_Fat_Man]

8) Hey Guy ! Go for it! I did when I was 34 years old. I drive a Truck for a living. Locally. It pays good in the summer months, but in the wintertime it is very slow.Thats when my other job keeps me going.I'm a licensed Embalmer& Funeral Director. Yea! Really! But I don't think I could do it full time. But I keep my license up to date every year ,only costs $50.00 to keep my certification. And there are three local funeral homes that call me pretty regular to come & do work for them. Restorative art is my speciality. It pays really good to. So jump on it & keep learning. It will always be there for you even if you decide to make another change in the future. Best of luck to you! ;)

[nuke]

Just do it!! Nike knew what they were talking about... Worked construction for 13 years,went back to school part-time starting at 30 years old... Been a pharmacist for 11 years now, I have never regretted it...

[lost1]

Go for it!!!
I'll give odds that you really enjoy going to classes and a few weeks from now you will wonder why you didn't do it a long time ago.

[Suzy]

I read a study somewhere some time ago that said something like that most adults will change their careers THREE times in their lives because of the way the world and technology are changing!

When my husband (who is 8 years older than me) went to work in a steel plant in 1973 he expected to retire from there....but he was smart and took all kinds of courses through that company when they were offered...when the company basically went south with NAFTA he tried a couple of other jobs (for three years each) and then started his own company about seven years ago as a licensed electrician/handyman....

I started as a music major in college and taught piano, organ and beginning guitar lessons for about 20 years....but about midways I also started freelance writing and began working as a reporter than 26 years ago...I also am a homesteader and have a second income from my farm from my eggs, goat milk soap, etc....

Our son was a manager in the fast food industry for about the past 10 years making really really good mone but felt like a RAT in the RACE and so quit about three weeks ago and went to work with his dad to train and to eventually take over the small company...

My ex-mother-in-law (from a marriage when I was only 18) is still my friend. She owned a beauty shop for years. when she was FIFTY she went back to school and got a nurses license and worked in hospitals for the next 25 years! Now she still does some private duty nursing!

So yes, lots of folks switch careers! And it's a good idea to be prepared for another career EVEN if you don't plan to switch right now! best wishes!

[Matthew]

Swamp, I will join the go for it crowd. In addition to Pell grants, Don't be afraid to take out a subsidized federal loan for your education, even if you can pay in cash. Since the government pays the interet on the loan while your are in school, but the loan is in your name, it helps your credit score. Then during the six month grace period after you graduate, just pay the whole loan off.

This way you can use the money you have on hand while you are in school, and increase your credit score.

What you are doing is great. Education is an excellent investment. I think it is important as a self-reliant person to be ready in case the SHTF scenarios DON"T happen. Educating yourself to find a job you love is a great way to do that. Go for it.

[Filthyphil]

Like everyone else I''ld encourage you to go through with it.I worked for the family owned cab company for the past 10 years as a driver/mechanic when family illness forced mom & dad to sell. I went to work for a local garage but had health issues of my own pop up,wasn't able to put out the work quick enough and I was let go.I'm 44 years old and we just bought our first house about 3 weeks prior.Wife works at a 24 hour emergency animal hospital and had been talking about me applying there.With my back to the wall I did and got hired.I'm currently an "Animal Attendant"feed and water the dogs and cats,take them out for walks and help the technicians restrain them for treatments or other procedures.The "techs" have unofficially started training me to become an "assistant tech",would be able to give treatments,assist the Drs. etc..The state has mandated that techs be certified,which means schooling.That is where I have an "in" so to speak.Wife is currently planning on taking online courses to work towards getting certified, so I can use her study guides and go on the website and it won't cost me anything.In 2 years I can take the certification test.I never thought I'ld do anything in the health care field let alone with animals,but I really like it and a couple of the techs have taken me under thier wing and are teaching me new things everyday (they seem to think I would make a good tech).Point is,if I can do something like this........know what I mean?
Best of luck to you.
Phil