What is Too Old For a Career Change?

MayDay10

When is it too late for a serious career change?

My current job is OK. Im not a huge fan, it pays well... etc.

But something I always wanted to do is Physical Therapy. After graduating originally I had no means to return to school to earn a PT degree. So it kind of just faded.

I stumbled on the University of Buffalo website over the weekend and the PT program is 6 years. I researched and probably could lop off 1 or 2 years of that with transfer credit with the same exact SUNY coursework.
I have a place to stay for free. Free meals in numerous locations. The only monthly Bills I would need to pay really is a phone bill and car insurance. I would be able to have a flexible (low paying) job for hours whenever I wanted.

The problem is I likely wouldnt be able to enroll until fall of 2010. The good news is I have plenty of time to sock money away at my current job. Bad because Ill be 32.... wont get out until Im 36 or 37.


something to think about... I think. Or is this crazy?

SVRDhand13

Go for it!

I'm in law school with people who are 45 or older, and they just started. You don't want to get to retirement age and feel like you missed an opportunity.

urbanhippie

I thought I'd be old going to uni in my 30's. Not by a long shot. I was one of the kids

MayDay10

hmm. yeah, i guess the place i studied the first go around now that I think about it was a place where primarily HS grads went and left after 4 or 5 years. I cant remember too many "non-traditional students". I could imagine most campuses are more 'diverse' age-wise.


Its going to be a tough decision. I have an optimal situation with my job now. Good pay, good security, job isnt too bad. The problem is I work about 450 miles from my friends, home, and family. i do get to go home every other weekend and a couple weeks during the holidays.

I have a lot of time to decide though.

comebackwoman

MayDay10 wrote:

When is it too late for a serious career change?

My current job is OK. Im not a huge fan, it pays well... etc.

But something I always wanted to do is Physical Therapy. After graduating originally I had no means to return to school to earn a PT degree. So it kind of just faded.

I stumbled on the University of Buffalo website over the weekend and the PT program is 6 years. I researched and probably could lop off 1 or 2 years of that with transfer credit with the same exact SUNY coursework.
I have a place to stay for free. Free meals in numerous locations. The only monthly Bills I would need to pay really is a phone bill and car insurance. I would be able to have a flexible (low paying) job for hours whenever I wanted.

The problem is I likely wouldnt be able to enroll until fall of 2010. The good news is I have plenty of time to sock money away at my current job. Bad because Ill be 32.... wont get out until Im 36 or 37.


something to think about... I think. Or is this crazy?

With retirment age being approximately 67 at this point, that leaves you a good 30 years to work in a career you feel passionate about. I say go for it! Good luck

corduroid

Certainly people change careers well into adult life ... often this is the first time we can clearly recognize and embrace our true passions

MayDay10

I think you guys are right. I just wanted to float the idea somewhere I am anonymous to see if it would be considered crazy.

iamica

My mother in law is in her mid 40s, and she just got her bachelor's degree. So I don't think it's ever really too late to go back to school or switch careers, really.

present_tense

one of my best friends is in his late 40's, and put him self through nursing, after owning a store for the better part of his life. Its never too old:)

know1

Too old for career change=the day you entire a nursing home.

saveuplife

MayDay10 wrote:

When is it too late for a serious career change?

My current job is OK. Im not a huge fan, it pays well... etc.

But something I always wanted to do is Physical Therapy. After graduating originally I had no means to return to school to earn a PT degree. So it kind of just faded.

I stumbled on the University of Buffalo website over the weekend and the PT program is 6 years. I researched and probably could lop off 1 or 2 years of that with transfer credit with the same exact SUNY coursework.
I have a place to stay for free. Free meals in numerous locations. The only monthly Bills I would need to pay really is a phone bill and car insurance. I would be able to have a flexible (low paying) job for hours whenever I wanted.

The problem is I likely wouldnt be able to enroll until fall of 2010. The good news is I have plenty of time to sock money away at my current job. Bad because Ill be 32.... wont get out until Im 36 or 37.


something to think about... I think. Or is this crazy?

Not crazy at all. Do it if you "want" it.

That said, be careful. If this is going to be a "low paying" career, life might be a bit harder. That's not to say it can't be more enjoyable and make you happier. It really depends on what you like to do (what you will like to do) and how much you feel comfortable living off of (how much you will feel comfortable living off of). If you think you can swing both... do it. But, keep your future in mind too.

Meaning: I don't know if you are married or ever want to be... I don't know if you have a family or ever would want to.... I don't know if you have a house or ever would want one. These things matter simply because, unfortuantely, money matters to all of them.

Who Princess

I think you are at an ideal age to return to school and make a career change. The time will go by faster than you think and you'll have many years in your profession to balance out the time you weren't in the workplace.

I'm in my mid-50s and contemplating a career change but hoping to do it without going back to school simply because I don't want to be paying off student loans as I'm approaching retirement. But I'll do what I have to do.

Corduroyboy

I say do it. Mainly because I'm on the verge of doing the same thing. Like said previously, you are going to be working for a long time, might as well be doing something you really enjoy.

thunderDAN

I just turned 25 and I think about it every day. I graduated with a business degree, I work for the family business and now I'm starting to see other things I would like to do other than this. If college wasn't so freakin expensive I might consider going back and getting another degree

FrankieJ

MayDay10 wrote:

I just wanted to float the idea somewhere I am anonymous

What are you talking about??? I know everything about you!


jk jk

Medicated-Genius

MayDay10 wrote:

When is it too late for a serious career change?

My current job is OK. Im not a huge fan, it pays well... etc.

But something I always wanted to do is Physical Therapy. After graduating originally I had no means to return to school to earn a PT degree. So it kind of just faded.

I stumbled on the University of Buffalo website over the weekend and the PT program is 6 years. I researched and probably could lop off 1 or 2 years of that with transfer credit with the same exact SUNY coursework.
I have a place to stay for free. Free meals in numerous locations. The only monthly Bills I would need to pay really is a phone bill and car insurance. I would be able to have a flexible (low paying) job for hours whenever I wanted.

The problem is I likely wouldnt be able to enroll until fall of 2010. The good news is I have plenty of time to sock money away at my current job. Bad because Ill be 32.... wont get out until Im 36 or 37.


something to think about... I think. Or is this crazy?

Go for it!! I am 38 and have just completed my second of a three year degree. I fucking well love it! It's not always easy, I am juggling four kids etc in the mix, but very worthwhile. I know I am working towards a job I will love, I have pretty much guaranteed employment at the end of it all. Think of it like this. Time will pass you by regardless of what you do. Whether you return to study or not, you will still turn 33, 34, 35, 36....... etc. Don't be kicking yourself later, when you reach 37 and you haven't done it. All we ever have is right now, ya know?

florence151

Make a list of what is good and bad about making the change. It will help with your decision.

Don't let your age get in the way.

Corduroyboy

florence151 wrote:

Make a list of what is good and bad about making the change. It will help with your decision.

Don't let your age get in the way.

I disagree. Don't make lists. They will only cause more confusion. If you want to do it, do it. It's a thought in your head right now and if you linger over it and decide what's good and what's not good, you will drive yourself crazy and then you may go back on it and not do it. Go with your instinct is what one of my professors in college once told me. So far he's been right every time.

MayDay10

I appreciate all the responses. I feel better about doing this. I have plenty of time, and actually hold a pretty decent job now.

Ill probably start the gears moving now. It seems like there will be a lot of work to do to get me into a classroom. Im going to start moving now.

I have until Fall of 2010. Should be plenty of time. Probably wont have to commit to it until the summer of 2010. Plus I know the decision will be correct and far from knee-jerk.

BinFrog

If you think you will be passionate about it, there is no reason not to go. I am 32 and just finished up the last class towards my Masters last week. My first thought is taking at least a year off and seeing what I can do with my career, but the thought of returning for another Masters or other form of advanced degree is in the back of my mind. I started grad school later than a lot of people, but I've had fellow students in my grad classes who were well into their 40's and in 1 case their 50's. It's never too late to learn and advance your skillset/career. You'll never regret action in the long run. Inaction will only frustrate you.

If the thought of doing what you do now for another 35 years makes you want to scream, why wait?

BUFFALO

hell no , not at all crazy . I just went back to school this fall. It was a little tough getting back into doing school work and papers due argh... but i got used to it . i was thinking about it for years and years , now i only wish i had done it long ago. Besides UB is the best NY has to offer not to mention their football team is doing pretty good to

Ms. Haiku

The day you retire is the day you're too old for a career change.

RolandTD20Kdrummer

Surely 180 years old...

MayDay10

The thing that makes it tough is: I currently have a pretty good job that I dont hate (that much). Im not sure if it would be wise to walk away from that.
I dont have a family. My GF wants me to pop the question, and basically said if I do this and we arent engaged by then, she is gone, but I really dont care. The thing that would make this possible is the absence of responsibilities.

Corduroyboy

MayDay10 wrote:

The thing that makes it tough is: I currently have a pretty good job that I dont hate (that much). Im not sure if it would be wise to walk away from that.
I dont have a family. My GF wants me to pop the question, and basically said if I do this and we arent engaged by then, she is gone, but I really dont care. The thing that would make this possible is the absence of responsibilities.

Ahhhhhh I see, what this really is about is that you want to ditch your current girl in order go back to college to find other chicks to bang!! Career change my ass!!!

angie76

I don't think it's ever too late to change careers. I don't think you should be miserable if you have the power to change things.