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I guess it depends on the major and the cost of the degree. Figure out the costs vs salary. Will he need loan...how much? Will the job pay enough to justify the costs? Will he be able to afford to pay loans on the salary? Are they hiring in the field he is interested in?
My husband hasn't had much luck with jobs since he immigrated here from England a few years ago. Now he want to go to school, but not sure for what yet.
Sometimes I wonder if it's worth getting into all this debt and still not being able to possibly find a job or maybe it would be better to start a home business of some sort.
Has anyone been in this situation? Did you go through with getting a degree?
My grandfather went to college for the first time while in his 40s. He got a two-year degree and landed a good job with the local city government. He loved college, by the way, and ended up taking at least course a semester all the way up until his end. He was currently taking a Spanish course when he died.
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Originally Posted by ja1myn
I'm 19. I did one semester of college and dropped out. I know I'll get bashed for that but I don't really care. I just think that 45 is like that point in your life where you should already be well into some sort of career, whether you like it or hate it. My dad's only like 43 and he never graduated HS or went to college and he wanted to go back to school but he couldn't even pass the entrance exams for the local university.
I mean really, isn't the 45 year old mind more career-oriented than college-oriented?
Yes, one should be more career orientated at 45, however, going back to college at 45 is about career. I've been through college at the traditional college age (18-24) and then again in my 30s. Both times I have seen plenty of young bucks who, despite having a declared major, realistically have no idea what they want to do after college let alone any idea of why they are currently in college other than "that is what people do after high school". While there are plenty of 40, 50, and 60 somethings who are taking a course or two for "personal enrichment", everyone else in college at that age is in college for a specific, concrete, reason: to change or advance their career.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ja1myn
Right, all I'm saying is at 45 you should be out of the "should I go to college?" mode and just be pushing your name and promoting yourself to get into what you really want to do. Does he even have an undergrad degree or does he want to start from scratch?
While "pushing your name" is a part of the game, unfortunately it is not enough. Many, many, people find that hit a ceiling and the only way to move higher is to get a higher degree, certificate, or other additional training.
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Originally Posted by colcat
"Colleges will sometimes also give you credit for life experience."- Uhh, no.
No, it is true, but it totally depends on what the "life experience" is. It has to be in someway related.
I think the more pressing issue is that how many companies are going to want to hire a guy in his late 40s/early 50s that just got his degree? Having one is of course better than not having one, but age discrimination is alive and well in the slim job market right now and that's not going to change any time soon. It may end up that this poor guy wastes a bunch of time and money only to never receive any call-backs simply because of his age.
I think the more pressing issue is that how many companies are going to want to hire a guy in his late 40s/early 50s that just got his degree? Having one is of course better than not having one, but age discrimination is alive and well in the slim job market right now and that's not going to change any time soon. It may end up that this poor guy wastes a bunch of time and money only to never receive any call-backs simply because of his age.
I ran into a substitute teacher at a school I was at who said she was fully certified who couldn't find a job, and she was in her early to mid 40's. She got certified in a neighboring school district but couldn't get hired because there were very few openings. She was subbing at the school district where I was subbing and stated she knew people (principals, teachers) but couldn't get hired on as a teacher and told me geting certified was a waste of time for her. She had been certified for two years when she talked to me. I think with her being her age places didn't want to hire her and wanted younger people instead. Sad tale.
I think the more pressing issue is that how many companies are going to want to hire a guy in his late 40s/early 50s that just got his degree? Having one is of course better than not having one, but age discrimination is alive and well in the slim job market right now and that's not going to change any time soon. It may end up that this poor guy wastes a bunch of time and money only to never receive any call-backs simply because of his age.
If he starts now, he can have either a master's or another bachelor's by age 46-47. Age discrimination is more a thing in one's later 50s. Trust me on that. BTDT.
yes, it is absolutely worth getting a degree! he won't get any smarter by not getting one, thats for sure.
may be it is not necessery to go the best school possible at this point, but having a degree always helps. if anything, it will boost his chances to get a job interview later down the road.
Blanket statements are rarely safe to make. Without knowing more about the OP, it's simply imposible to say whether it's worth it to the OP's SO to get a degree. And, no, having a degree doesn't always help. It absolutely depends on the field and many other factors.
To the OP, as some of the others have said, it really depends on the field he intends to pursue.
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Uhh, no.
