Anyone else started school at 33 years old? I hope I'm not alone....

[mike4554]

It's hard pouring my heart out to Internet strangers.
But I feel I have no choice. I need some tough love

I kick myself for not listening to my mom about going to college right after high school.
If I could go back in time I would slap some sense into my younger self.
I'm still researching on what I want to do for the rest of my life. To give you a brief overview of what I've done. Been mostly dead end warehouse jobs and driver jobs.

I have a 21 month old son and want him to grow up good. Meaning I never want him to step into a homeless shelter with me. If that ever happens I would break down crying. I'm a grown ass man by the way.

It's embarrassing to apply to these warehouse jobs and other entry level jobs that lead to nowhere with high school graduates in the same room as me.

I've actually got a friend I'm talking to. He's training to be a electrician apprentice.

Also I just completed a semester part-time at the community college. Now I just signed up for the next semester that will be starting January 12, 2015. I like the aspect of community college but I hate the time it will take. To graduate from the community college then transferring my credits to a university. Is there something that can be done quicker which would lead to a more fulfilling high paying job?

I'm reallly looking for solid advice. I want to move away from warehouse jobs as soon as possible.

I do have varying interests in other fields, I like I.T. a lot. I've helped family and friends with computer issues. Every employer wants solid experience which I don't have. I don't have any certifications. I do like Accounting and also the prospects of being an electrician.

Damn! I wish I knew the ceo/owner of a company.

So I'm wondering if any of you have been into a similar position as myself and how did you overcome it? I'm listening......

[AkaiOkami]

No, you are not alone. You just feel alone because you cannot see behind the curtains. Since the 2008 market crash there has been a year after year increase in adults going back to school because the flood of low skill worker.

[clep3705]

It's good you are asking questions. You'll be given lots of answers. Take what everybody says and synthesize your own answer that is best for you.

Some community colleges have services that can help you. Free or low cost tutoring. Career testing and counseling. Quality of services varies widely. Some find career testing helpful. Others find it to be a waste of time. One thing you are highly unlikely to get good advice on from the community college is testing out of courses and receiving credit. These forums are far better for that kind of specific advice.

If you're willing to work hard, you can shorten the time and cost for obtaining a degree. It's important that you have a well thought out plan. You need to identify jobs that will be a good fit for you. Once you have that insight (that is where career testing and counseling is sometimes helpful), then you need to choose the degree. The choice of degree will affect the choice of schools. The choice of schools determines what you can test out of. It is the school that gives you the credit for testing out of a course. You don't want to take a test that won't count toward your degree. And you don't want to pay tuition for a course that you could test out of.

Part of the plan is figuring out how to pay for it. Student loans are for tuition to pay for courses actually taken, not for exams for testing out.

To be an electrician, you don't need to get an associate's degree. There are people who do accounting even though they don't have degrees, but arguably they are really bookkeepers more than accountants. Normally being an accountant requires at least a bachelor's degree. As a general rule, getting an associate's degree is a good idea. It makes you more than a high school graduate. If life gets in the way on a path to a bachelor's degree, the associate's degree gives you something to show for your efforts. Personally I'd prefer to have two years of community college and an associate's degree instead of two years at a university and no associate's degree. Properly planned, it is often possible to obtain an associate's degree on the way to a bachelor's degree without any extra time, cost, or effort. Everything in associate's degree can potentially count toward a bachelor's degree. It's just something to consider. It's far from your most important consideration at the moment.

I personally know a woman who graduated from nursing school at age 70. There are plenty of people old enough to be your parents starting school. You can do this. It's not about what you should have done. No point in being hard on yourself. Time to move forward. It's all about what you will do. Make a good plan, do it, and revise it as needed. Congratulations on completing your first semester and be good to yourself!

[pegasus]

I just completed my first semester and I'm 43. Having said that, I have substantial work experience and certifications in IT.

I ultimately elected to forego community college simply due to the full 16-week semesters. It costs substantially more (likely four or five times as much) to take accelerated classes at a private university but it does really cut down on the time required to complete a degree (I expect to finish in late 2015 or early 2016). Generally speaking accelerated classes are completed in eight week's time. Bear in mind the additional workload that results from this – the coursework required is equal to that of a full semester.

Obviously if you have discipline you can cut out scores of classes via CLEP and DANTES. Assuming I pass both of my DSST exams tomorrow, I will have completed 18 semester hours via testing in about one month. I plan to do at least 12 more hours in this way.

Not to be judgmental but profanity is generally looked down upon in both educational and professional settings. You will want to keep that in mind as you look for work outside of warehouse environments.

Best of luck to you – it’s never too late to get going and for a lot of people momentum builds as you grow nearer and nearer to your end goal.

[Photog]

I'm going to be honest, so sorry in advance if it seems a bit harsh.

You seem to be focusing on negatives when all I can see in your writing are positives. You are young guy that wants bring his child up properly, you work hard, and you want to do something about improving your prospects. Pretty awesome to begin with if you ask me

It is pretty easy to sit back and complain about how life could have been different, how people get on ahead of you etc. etc. etc. What can be hard is finding where to start and finding a direction to go in. Positive steps and simple goals can get you well on the way to what you want, and the direction will present itself before you know it. People here can help get you started with the education side of things.

I think the most important traits to nurture are consistency and perseverance. Sitting down to study for a few hours after work and on a weekend, instead of doing other things, requires commitment and huge dollop of self-control. It is not easy for some people to study alone and you have to push yourself sometimes to get on with it.

I'm 39 and had many factory jobs, steel working, and general physical labour for about 15years. I was lucky in that I had a skill at playing football (soccer) I got paid to play on weekends and eventually got a coaching license in my spare time along with some education courses. I traveled for a while coaching in international schools and then settled after I met my wife. I have a baby on the way only 2 months to go
I started thinking seriously about finally getting a degree last year. Before I found this forum it seemed like an impossible task, but now i'm inspired every day and know that my goal is achievable. My goal is changing as I go along and learn more.

I have completed 42 credits and i'm working on the next 12. The first 24 credits only cost me $20 thanks to the information on this forum.

Honestly, the only way to overcome it is to give yourself a huge kick up the arse (in a British accent) knuckle down to some hard work studying and keep at it every week.

[cstock]

I just started my journey to getting a college degree last year when I was 40. I wish I would have started at 33! This website has been a great resource and I have built a support group with members here.

I have completed several DSST/CLEP exams. This can be a great way to speed up the completion of your degree. I can think of a better resource then Instantcert to help you on your journey. For 20 bucks a month you get access to studying material but the feedback on exams really is priceless! Good luck on your journey.

[KayV]

OP, as Photog says, let's focus on what you have to figure out how to build up from there.

1. It sounds like you would like to be an electrician or work in IT. Does your major at the community college correspond with one of those fields?
2. Do you want to focus on getting an associate's degree or move to a bachelor's degree?
3. Which classes did you take last semester and which classes are you enrolled in for next semester?
4. Do you prefer taking classes or testing out of classes? Some people get stressed out by thinking of taking One Big Test, and others are equally stressed by thinking of taking classes.

A BSBA in General Management from Thomas Edison State College might be a good fit for you, since you like Accounting and IT, and it is a very test-friendly degree.

Good luck, OP.

[sanantone]

I can't really offer much advice when it comes to becoming an electrician. I just know it's a long process to get through the different levels of licensure. To gain experience for the IT field, you can start in a low-level technical support job. These tops of jobs don't pay much, but they will help you move up to higher-level jobs. As you're working, you can start working on certifications and possibly a degree. If you have an interest in taxation, then you can self-study for the Enrolled Agent exams while doing tax preparation during tax season. Once you finish a business degree, you will have the experience and IRS designation to start working for a CPA or tax firm.

[GoodYellowDogs]

I'm 60 and I just finished my BS and started my MBA...

[ronaldemail1]

I am 38, I finished my degree 2 years ago. I moved to Texas. Started an entry level job, got promoted in 11 months.
I was given my choice for the promotion Management for a high salary or the next level in the company at a better salary.
Due to health issues I took the next level job.

Obviously my level of commitment at work played a good part in the promotion. But the Bachelor Degree helped to open
the doors.

I am a foreigner in the US, I might be experienced but still it takes me longer to understand/ assimilate in society, I am not perfect either.
Still, I try to follow all management feedback in order to improve.

While I do not trust the economic situation in the US. I know that I will get ahead eventually.