"Smart" Degree Options for Middle-Aged Non-Manager Type :)

[Nodaclu]

Hi all,

I'm coming back to the forum after an absence due to my wife's health issues, and since I've been away, my priorities have changed somewhat. Because of this, I'm hoping to get your thoughts / opinions / advice.

I'm a 47 year old male, who has been in HR for about 15 years, but I'm very burnt out on it. I feel like this might be the time to pivot into something new, and at this stage of my life, my priority is a little less on "doing what I love", and a bit more focused on pursuing a degree that will allow me to essentially start fresh as I'm nearing 50.

I'm acutely aware of the age-discrimination issues I might face as an older worker in a new field (I've mildly run into it here and there already).

What I'd really like to get some ideas about, is what degrees might be wise for me to pursue, that would lead to work in a field that is open enough that job opportunities will be readily available to me.

Here's an example of what I mean:

One of the jobs I've had in HR was as an Analyst. I kind of liked that kind of work, and transitioning into a Business Analyst role seems like it could be a doable thing for me. I see those types of positions available all the time. I'm assuming that a general business degree, combined with my background, might be enough to allow me to get into that type of role.

Can anyone share any other jobs/fields like that, where jobs are plentiful and wages are decent? If so, what type of degree would I need to finish to be able to pursue one of those jobs?

Hope this makes some sense, and thank you in advance for your help and advice!

EDITED TO ADD: This can be for either a Bachelors or Masters degree. In fact, Masters Degree options might be more relevant. As noted in Post #5, after taking a look at what I've completed, and what I have left, finishing an undergrad degree in anything but Psychology is going to take a lot of extra time and money - two things I don't have in abundance these days!

So it's looking more likely that I will finish that B.S. in Psych in the next 6-9 months, then pursue a Masters option.

[Ideas]

Welcome back!

Do you have many Psychology credits already, or are your 79 mostly non-AoS? Psychology doesn't seem good because you mostly need licensure to get a decent job.

IT is a good area to get into, and the WGU programs can be cheap and quick if you have the prior experience or time to work fast.

Perhaps some areas of healthcare.

[cookderosa]

Would college teaching be enough of a change? You have something most new grads don't have- experience!!!

My husband and I both trained as chefs, but when we started our family I knew my days running a hot line were behind me. I spent all of my 20's and 30's at a community college and really grew to love higher education. My husband continued on and worked full time as a chef until 4 1/2 years ago - he took a job (career pivot) as a culinary arts instructor for a major university. He's in his field of expertise but he doesn't get dirty, has summers off and we have educational benefits that our kids can use if they choose.

Since I'd been (am) out of full time work for still many more years, I did a pivot as well - I've kept acquiring credentials while homeschooling and NOT working full time, adding degrees and certifications to my resume for the time we graduate our youngest and I return to work full time. I have continued to do a lot of gig and contract work, I did research chef work a couple years ago for a clinical trial, do lots of volunteer with students - but considered a complete career change for my "return" (nursing/medicine- I was undecided) but after a lot of job shaddowing and classes, I earned my master's in nutrition instead.
It was a perfect bridge to a degree that would let me go back into teaching but at a university instead of a community college. I'm your age, I'm 46, and while I am sure I *could* have become a nurse practitioner or doctor, in those fields I'd be a newbie. In my field I'm very seasoned and enjoy the respect that brings (I'm being honest).

So, if I were giving you my two cents, my vote is to at least consider finishing up your BS and then going for a masters in HR. Be sure 18 of those credits are ACTUALLY HR so that you can teach anywhere (business prefix will disqualify you in some states - you need HR prefixes on as many of your grad courses as possible). With a master's AND 15 years in industry, you'll be golden.

[Ideas]

One of the jobs I've had in HR was as an Analyst. I kind of liked that kind of work, and transitioning into a Business Analyst role seems like it could be a doable thing for me. I see those types of positions available all the time. I'm assuming that a general business degree, combined with my background, might be enough to allow me to get into that type of role.

It seems best to do something related like this.

If you want to go for a business degree, you can probably be one of the last people to get enrolled in the TESU capstone TECEP. They are discontinuing it and there are only days left to get in, maybe. By doing the $117 TECEP you avoid taking the $1500 course and save time too. TESU has a number of business concentrations you can choose from when doing their BSBA, or you can do the basic GM one which is a little cheaper and faster.

[Nodaclu]

Thank you both!

I looked at my degree plan after posting this, and it's so ridiculously straightforward (11 Study.com classes, 1 Straighterline class, 1 U of Idaho online class, and a COSC Capstone), that I'd be foolish not to just knock that out and get my Psych degree. (Though a fresh look at the Study.com transfer page for Psych courses has me nervous. Compare TESU's vs. COSC's:

Study.com - TESU Equivalent (Click on Psychology link)
Study.com - COSC Equivalent (Click on Psychology link)

So at this point, perhaps I should bring my focus to a Master's program.

Toward that end, Jennifer - I once dreamed of being a college professor, but I gave up on it once I saw how incredibly difficult it is to land those kinds of jobs. Of course, that was 15 years ago - before online education was much of a thing. I would definitely consider doing something along those lines if the job opportunities are plentiful.

[dfrecore]

I used to work in HR, but I never worked in a particular area long enough to get burned out. I've worked in Benefits, Stock Plan Administration, 401(k) Plan Administration, and my favorite was Compensation Manager. If I went back to work, that's definitely what I'd be doing. Less dealing with employees every day, more working with numbers, doing projects, etc.

I think you may need to stretch out a bit and see what other jobs there are in HR that you might want to switch to. You've probably only been looking at a few areas, and there are lots more that you can find. So start doing the research to see what those are.

Business Analyst is also good, and you can do that with a general Management degree. An MBA would work as well (certainly aren't going to do it with a Psych degree though).

If you end up going with the Psych degree, you may want to look at WGU for the MBA - the price is right, and they don't require prerequisite that the business degree would give you.

[bjcheung77]

+1 on finishing that Bachelors Degree, I prefer you continue where you left off and get it done at Charter Oak.
After that has been completed, you can go to Patten for their MBA - Human Resource, finish that in 8 months for $4k.

You would have a RA BA Psychology and a RA MBA HR for a fraction of the price it takes a regular RA Bachelors.
For whatever reasons you had to halt for a while, it's over, you don't need to start "fresh", continue where you are.

Another MBA or MSML option would be from WGU, you can try to finish that in 6 months for $3k, even cheaper.
Or if you're a speed demon, you can try to finish the MBA at Patten for $2k in 4 months, I rather take my time.

[sanantone]

Have you thought about Industrial/Organizational Psychology? It's a blend of psychology and HR. Capella has a Flexpath masters for this that is cheap.

[Nodaclu]

dfrecore and bjcheung77 - you're both right!

I turned down a potential Comp Analyst opportunity recently because I didn't feel I had the experience for it (yes, I can really be that obtuse sometimes), and that was a huge mistake. My ideal position in HR would be in more of a data/analytics role, and less of a people role. And you're right - a Psych degree isn't going to cut it for that.

But...bjcheung77 essentially confirms my thinking that taking two steps back to finish a BSBA when I'm this far down the road toward the Psych degree would likely end up taking roughly the same amount of time as staying on my current path, and moving on to an MBA program that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

You all are helping me stretch my brain in ways that it wouldn't have otherwise. I appreciate it!

[Nodaclu]

Have you thought about Industrial/Organizational Psychology? It's a blend of psychology and HR. Capella has a Flexpath masters for this that is cheap.

Thank you for bringing this up! I've thought about it off and on for years. That would absolutely be the ideal blend of my interests and experience!

However, I'm a little concerned about potential job opportunities. The research I did in the past (which, granted, was 5-6 years ago) showed it to be a growing field, but still a small one, with most people employed as consultants/contractors.

Sanantone - do you have any insight about career opportunities in this field, or where I might be able to find out more?