Going back to school in your 30s

I’m about to turn 32 and i am not happy work wise I’m tbinking of going back to school but i don’t know what i do first. I am thinking of accounting or something similar to that but i need some guidance. I am in a town with a big state college or should i do online??

Going back to school in your 30s

I could never complete school work online. I would prefer going to a class. I think you get more out of the interaction with others. Online is not always cheaper either

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

I went back to add onto my certifications that I already have. I chose online because I am a single parent and I couldn't commit to going to classes in the evenings. Online classes were a new experience for me and it was hard to adjust to the workload in the beginning. You have to be very disciplined about setting aside time to work. I am finishing the last of my credits- 36 in just over two years.

Going back to school in your 30s

I'm considering going back for my master's. I don't need it for work,it's just something I would like to do. I would have to do a program that is at least partially online- I work full time and have a toddler.

I think an online school through a legitimate university is fine (I'm looking at a program through GWU, for example). Is it a bachelor's or master's? I'm not sure I would get a bachelor's online.

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

I did my master to teach Spanish as a second language online. I wouldn't have been able to do it if it was in person. I loved the flexibility, since I was able to set my own time. We had group projects that we completed via email or Skype and there were many different ways to interact with others and the teachers. We created a group in FB where we were able to exchange ideas out of our virtual classroom.

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

You have to consider a few things first.

If you don't know what you want to do, why even think about it?

What about the return on investment - are you going to pay OOP or take on student loans, only to have to start at the bottom with an entry level salary?

I would never consider going back to school unless there was a solid job market that I would be able to make X amount salary to get the ROI needed to make it worth it.

I have several friends who decided to "go back to school" blindly and without much direction and ended up no better - and some worse - than where they began.

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

Going back to school in your 30s

Maybe you can try auditing a class in accounting to see if it's something out would like. Not sure if it's still the same now but you used to be able to audit a course without paying (or not paying a lot) especially at a community college. I don't know if the course would count toward your major if you decided to go for the bachelors but at least you'd know if you like it. You might also be able to talk to accountants (in an informational interview) to see what's really required (if you need a bachelors or if other work experience would count.

Re: Going back to school in your 30s

Going back to school in your 30s

I went back for my second masters degree and did it online. There was no way I could go to a regular campus again being a mom and working full-time. It was hard, but it was the best thing I ever did.

ETA: None of my degrees are in accounting.
But I contacted the admissions department for the universities that had my program, asked questions, checked the cost of tuition, and then went from there.

Message edited 1/4/2018 9:05:41 PM.

Going back to school in your 30s

A lot of schools have adult programs. I graduated from Adelphi's program at the young age of 32. Classes were worth 4 credits instead of 3 and the weekend courses were condensed into like 5 or 6 full day classes. The classes were offered at night and weekends since it was "adult" they built it around 9-5 jobs. I was able to finish in 2.5 years. I'm sure there are other schools that have similar programs if Adelphi doesn't suit you.

http://cpcs.adelphi.edu/admissions/

Going back to school in your 30s

I started law school at 32. I’m glad I did. I don’t work in a traditional law setting now and never had but I also didn’t have to deal with large law firm bs with billing hrs etc.

I’m glad I did It but have well over 100k in loans I am paying off so make sure it’s something you really want.

I went nights because you cannot do it online.