going back to college in your 30s

lufties

looking_around wrote: »

You can speak to career guidance counsellors in uni, and their are normally contact details if there's information you want on the various courses.

I'd advise, reading and learning on your own on the few subjects you're interested in.

It's not just what would suit you, but what you'd like to do.

Check out coursera.org for some free online modules on a wide range of subjects, great way to try out a few things, and what you're capable of.

Thanks for that

Super-Rush

I went back a couple of years ago (early 30's) and really enjoyed it.

The only thing I found hard was the age gap between myself and the rest of the class.
While they were busy planning nights out, I was staying in and studying most nights.

dellas1979

lufties wrote: »

Its not an age issue,Its a financial one, I currently hate my job with a passion. but I couldn't justify a ballbreaking 7 years of undergrad study to come out the other side on less than half the salary I'm currently on. I don't value money as much as a lot of people either so its not about that.

Hi Lufties!
Think you might be a little confused. 'Cause the post above, the second sentence contradicts the first.

Before I read this particular post, I already had decided you were talking yourself out of it due to money. I think it is more important to you than you realise. Great if you were one of these "Shur lets see what happens and roll with it" people. But seems you are not. You kindof want to know that there will be security after the leap, but noone can assure you of what lies ahead.

The bottom line is, you do the course that you want to do, and take a (scary pay cut and chance) or stay in what you are doing.

jimboblep

TheBeardedLady wrote: »

Yeah I'm sure you can pop into/get in touch with the careers guidance office of any uni and ask them for advice.

The local VEC office was invaluable to me, sat me down and really went through all my options to find what was the best option for me.
Back three weeks now and my only regret is I didnt do it sooner.

lufties

dellas1979 wrote: »

Hi Lufties!
Think you might be a little confused. 'Cause the post above, the second sentence contradicts the first.

Before I read this particular post, I already had decided you were talking yourself out of it due to money. I think it is more important to you than you realise. Great if you were one of these "Shur lets see what happens and roll with it" people. But seems you are not. You kindof want to know that there will be security after the leap, but noone can assure you of what lies ahead.

The bottom line is, you do the course that you want to do, and take a (scary pay cut and chance) or stay in what you are doing.

yes that is true, but by the time i'm finished i will be near 40 and probably not in a position to take a 60 percent paycut, so need to look at other options.

Son Of A Vidic

lufties wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone has done this, and how has it been for you?

I know several people who changed career path completely. The common theme seems to be, increased maturity, life experience and focus. Meant they seemed to do really well on their courses and loved it.

Drakares

Do it, man.. I have been trying to encourage my brother to do it... He thinks college is for younger people just out of school and he couldn't be more wrong.

My Statistics lecturer was just finishing his PhD at the age of 60, having decided to go University at 53... Do it!

Kur4mA

Just do it! Get stuck in. I'll be 33 next month and just started 3rd year in college. I spent years going back and forth on what I wanted to do in college and getting the time to do it.

The last 2 years have been tough work and I expect the next 2+ to be the same. It's expensive, plus I'm working full time and going to college part time. It means not many evening after work to do anything but college and 1 of my days off (sometimes both) is spent on assignments and project but tbh after seeing the good results come through it is so worth it.

bur

Something I'd love to do, I'm turning 30 soon. But with no leaving cert and little work experience the last good number of years(poor mental health but doing better now) i don't really know where to start, knowing it would be pointless to apply for courses.

MagicMarker

OP I turned 31 last week and have just started a part time degree in DIT, while working full time. My eyes are usually glazed over by Friday but I think it's worth it.

lufties

MagicMarker wrote: »

OP I turned 31 last week and have just started a part time degree in DIT, while working full time. My eyes are usually glazed over by Friday but I think it's worth it.

My main prob is thinking what to study, I have a broad range of interests but nothing i'm very passionate about.

Senna

bur wrote: »

Something I'd love to do, I'm turning 30 soon. But with no leaving cert and little work experience the last good number of years(poor mental health but doing better now) i don't really know where to start, knowing it would be pointless to apply for courses.

Couple of the guys in class didn't have leaving cert either, one done an "access" course and the other had to dobappitiude course, but both got into the degree. There are a lot of other routes if you don't have a leaving cert.

Tar.Aldarion

there were people in my classes 30s, 40s and 50s. My brother is thinking of going to college and he's not far off 40.

looking_around

bur wrote: »

Something I'd love to do, I'm turning 30 soon. But with no leaving cert and little work experience the last good number of years(poor mental health but doing better now) i don't really know where to start, knowing it would be pointless to apply for courses.

fetac?

There are alot of fetac level 4, 5, 6 courses.
Seriously, look into fetac courses and which colleges do them. You do not need leaving cert for a level 4 fetac. Even level 5 as a mature student you could probably get in.
Maybe try get experience from free online modules/hobbies. Or even contact the work sectors you're interested in and if you could get a week or 2 work experience. (not now, every student in the country is looking for experience, Next year, during exam months and summer, would be the best time.


At OP,
that's another thing you could look into a part-time fetac course to really decided if it's the route you want to go. If it is, it can only help you when you apply. They part-time fetacs can be pricy but you can also take each module as you want rather than 6 or 7 together, like a full time course.

I would be wary if you're not passionate. It's tough, do a life change because you're really keen and want it, and have a clear goal for finishing, it'll keep you focused and motivated.

Beaner1

The lack of passion is a gphuge worry. You shouldn't be unsure about what course to do. You should not go to college for the sake of it, you should have an exact course and career plan in mind.

lufties

Beaner1 wrote: »

The lack of passion is a gphuge worry. You shouldn't be unsure about what course to do. You should not go to college for the sake of it, you should have an exact course and career plan in mind.

My choices are the following, retrain or stick with what i'm at and probably die a younger man, due to lousy shifts, stress and a toxic working environment.

Capt'n Midnight

Miss Lizzie Jones wrote: »

There is a lady enrolled in the college in my area. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday.

90 ,? degrees ?

Call me suspicious but I think she's going in with an angle on this

looking_around

lufties wrote: »

My choices are the following, retrain or stick with what i'm at and probably die a younger man, due to lousy shifts, stress and a toxic working environment.

yeah but you don't want choose another area to just end up feeling the same way, and probably under more stress, due to starting at the bottom of the ladder.

Check fetac, check online modules, go to uni when you're absolutely certain!.

lufties

looking_around wrote: »

yeah but you don't want choose another area to just end up feeling the same way, and probably under more stress, due to starting at the bottom of the ladder.

Check fetac, check online modules, go to uni when you're absolutely certain!.

Yea good idea, will have a look at online modules..I have been accepted into an msc in air transport management, as I can use my experience for this. It seems the most logical route but I am utterly tired of aviation.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Do not devote time, money, and effort into something you are not passionate about at this stage of your life. Drifting into a course and career you are already tired of is a recipe for disaster.

lufties

Owen Quick Crumb wrote: »

Do not devote time, money, and effort into something you are not passionate about at this stage of your life. Drifting into a course and career you are already tired of is a recipe for disaster.

You are 100 percent correct

FlashR2D2

With your current work experience, are you sure you can't just get on a 1 year Masters course to move you in a new direction rather than 5-7 years PT. Sometimes you don't need a degree if you have on a few years of semi-related experience.

You shouldn't rule out the UK either, it might be easier to get on a 1 year Masters there. Bursaries and scholarships available there also.

lufties

FlashR2D2 wrote: »

With your current work experience, are you sure you can't just get on a 1 year Masters course to move you in a new direction rather than 5-7 years PT. Sometimes you don't need a degree if you have on a few years of semi-related experience.

You shouldn't rule out the UK either, it might be easier to get on a 1 year Masters there. Bursaries and scholarships available there also.

Yes, in fairness you are right. I would imagine I'd be confined to an engineering discipline. I will have to do more research.i live in london.

Filmer Paradise

Beaner1 wrote: »

The lack of passion is a gphuge worry. You shouldn't be unsure about what course to do. You should not go to college for the sake of it, you should have an exact course and career plan in mind.

This man speaks sense.

I left school in '85 & went to do a course in Mechanical Engineering. Never got a sniff of a really good job from it.

Later on. About the year 2000, I had the bright notion of doing something with 'puters. All the rage then. The computer nerd had all of a sudden become the 'IT guy'.

Like a fool, I bought into it. Did 3 years of night classes & by the time I'd finished the Dot com bubble had burst.

A lot of the education thing is overrated INMHO.

Plenty of places willing to take your money & make false promises.

Beware!

lertsnim

I am a first year in college and in my mid thirties. I hated my job so decided to do something that I wanted to do. I don't regret my decision one bit. There are plenty of others around my age and older.

MagicMarker

Filmer Paradise wrote: »

This man speaks sense.

I left school in '85 & went to do a course in Mechanical Engineering. Never got a sniff of a really good job from it.

Later on. About the year 2000, I had the bright notion of doing something with 'puters. All the rage then. The computer nerd had all of a sudden become the 'IT guy'.

Like a fool, I bought into it. Did 3 years of night classes & by the time I'd finished the Dot com bubble had burst.

A lot of the education thing is overrated INMHO.

Plenty of places willing to take your money & make false promises.

Beware!

Yeah, nobody uses computers anymore.

KERSPLAT!

I'm not in my 30s but I'm not far off. Have just started my degree year and absolutely loving it! I'm actually one of the youngest in my class with ages ranging from about 25-55 approximately. I had never been to college before bar my phases during my apprenticeship but really wish I had gone years ago, but sure better late than never!

KERSPLAT!

MagicMarker wrote: »

Yeah, nobody uses computers anymore.

I'm doing computer science, dammit!!

Filmer Paradise

MagicMarker wrote: »

Yeah, nobody uses computers anymore.

Is that meant to be a joke?

The point I'm trying to make is that going back into education is not always the answer, or the best thing for someone to do when they are in their '30s.

Education in this country & the perception of it's uses & expectations for people has changed immensely over the last 50 years.

30 years ago, if you had a Degree, you had it made. This perception has persisted over the years, & its getting more & more irrelevent as time goes on.

The amount of courses available nowadays & the financial incentives available to people nowadays make a Degree something more of a thing that anyone with little more than half a brain can attain.

I, personally got shot with the whole sorry show of it & saved my money to put a deposit on a house & for me, that's when my life truly began.

Wompa1

I don't think there's many jobs in Psychology...unless you want to lecture in it. Lecturing seems like a pretty cushy number, might be worth a shot