Going back to graduate school?

[Anonymous]

Op, do it for the personal enrichment and satisfaction, not for the likelihood of career advancement.

If you have the disposable income to spend in that way.

[Anonymous]

I went for a second masters degree in my 50s. I have not finished it yet. My first masters is in a professional field, but this one is in another area that won't make me any money when I finish. I'm not borrowing money to go to school, but we're taking it from our retirement kitty. Not sure that's such a good idea. I SAH and have for many years. I want a new career, but DH and I are entrenched in our roles, so I have to wait until the kids graduate from h.s. before I can really work full time, and by then I'll be in my 60s. Waaaaayy too late, I think.

If you can swing it financially, OP, I'm all for going back to school to get a degree. Being in classes with kids less than half my age has been fun. I see them as peers, while they see me as their mom, which can make conversations a little awkward at times. Sometimes I think they're embarrassed by my presence because it feels like their mom is watching them!

But I have little hope of making any $$ or even finding a job of any kind because of my age when I graduate, so this is mostly for fun, I guess. I didn't go into it with this attitude, but this world is so much more competitive than the one I lived in years ago when I worked and had a career.

I have two Ivy degrees, but they mean nothing when job searching nowadays. If you're in a stem field, OP, maybe you'll have a better chance, but I don't know. I'm really dispirited by ageism. I don't even look as old as I am, but being over 50 and a SAHM for years is not a recipe for career success, no matter how well educated you are.

[Anonymous]

For OPs goals, it seems a PH.D. Is required. Those generally take a bunch of years full time. At least in my field, no one who goes part time finishes within six or seven and none land a good academic job.

[Anonymous]

If you're doing it in hopes of getting an academic job, your chances are close to zero.

In academia people retire very late so there's already a glut of older people in most schools. They are generally not very productive in terms of research (because they don't have to be - they got tenure a long time ago.) The younger people view the old professors as a drain on resources. Plus, it increases the pressure on younger faculty to publish more so the department can maintain its ranking.

The people on search committees are usually mid career professors. Call it ageism, or universal bad experiences with older faculty. It's very unlikely that they'll give you an offer.

[Anonymous]

Op, I don't know what your other degree is in, but I'm looking at second master's degree in an area I have always wanted to study. Many places will waive the GRE if you already have a master's degree in something else. I am thinking of doing this for for personal fulfillment and I don't expect to be employed in this field. It is just something I've wanted to do for a long time. I also do not have to borrow or take money out of retirement to do so.

[Anonymous]

My friend took the science courses to apply for med school at the age of 43. She took night courses with young kids and working FT. She is on track to be in med school. She will be what, 50 when her residency is done? She already has a PhD too. She's pursuing her dream.

[Anonymous]

It is very unlikely that you would get funding. Funding is given to students that depts can place in prominent jobs and therefore bring placement success to the university. That being said, more power to you. I was in grad school with people like you and it was fine, they just didn't have the same professional concerns that I did. There are ways to take grad classes without affiliating yourself with a program. Find a school close to you and look into what they offer in terms a la carte options--at UMD you can do this even at the grad level.

[Anonymous]

wondering specifically about what job prospects ...

Haven't you posted here before?
Do it for enrichment, not for job prospects
That was, also, the previous answer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And did it have any effect - positive or negative -- on the marriage?

The marriage has improved but many factors involved. But I think my frame of mind had a lot to do with it. Feeling better about myself has had benefits in other ways, and yes, I think DH has increased respect and admiration for me.

This was my experience as well. Finished a Master's at age 44 and now working in my field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went for a second masters degree in my 50s. I have not finished it yet. My first masters is in a professional field, but this one is in another area that won't make me any money when I finish. I'm not borrowing money to go to school, but we're taking it from our retirement kitty. Not sure that's such a good idea. I SAH and have for many years. I want a new career, but DH and I are entrenched in our roles, so I have to wait until the kids graduate from h.s. before I can really work full time, and by then I'll be in my 60s. Waaaaayy too late, I think.

If you can swing it financially, OP, I'm all for going back to school to get a degree. Being in classes with kids less than half my age has been fun. I see them as peers, while they see me as their mom, which can make conversations a little awkward at times. Sometimes I think they're embarrassed by my presence because it feels like their mom is watching them!

But I have little hope of making any $$ or even finding a job of any kind because of my age when I graduate, so this is mostly for fun, I guess. I didn't go into it with this attitude, but this world is so much more competitive than the one I lived in years ago when I worked and had a career.

I have two Ivy degrees, but they mean nothing when job searching nowadays. If you're in a stem field, OP, maybe you'll have a better chance, but I don't know. I'm really dispirited by ageism. I don't even look as old as I am, but being over 50 and a SAHM for years is not a recipe for career success, no matter how well educated you are.

I would finish that degree and get working right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend took the science courses to apply for med school at the age of 43. She took night courses with young kids and working FT. She is on track to be in med school. She will be what, 50 when her residency is done? She already has a PhD too. She's pursuing her dream.

That's great but when did she spend time with her young kids?

[Anonymous]

I have taken some classes, but not toward a degree. Some states allow those over 60 to take a free class each semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have taken some classes, but not toward a degree. Some states allow those over 60 to take a free class each semester.

U of Michigan Ann Arbor allows those 65 or older to take courses at half price.

[Anonymous]

A friend's mother took a master's of theology in her late 50s after returning from attorney..she started a new career as a chaplain and is very happy.