Would you consider starting a masters degree at age 55?

[Anonymous]

I received a MS at 59 for something related to what I am doing now. Interested in starting my own firm as a second career. Nobody goes back to school for one reason. Really enjoyed the academic discourse and interacting with other students, who were half my age. I learned from them and they learned from me.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would. But to the most convenient, least expensive public university available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your goal is to maximize your career earnings, going back to school at 55 probably isn't the right move.

If your goal is to pursue a dream and work on something that's truly fulfilling for you, then that's a different story.

Just make sure you know why you are doing it.

OP here. I don't want to look back on my life and accept that I didn't do it. I don't make too much money now so I'm used to it. I referenced living frugally in my 1st post but I don't live like an Extreme Cheapskate episode. I have enough and compared to so many worldwide, I am doing ok. The upside to having a modest lifestyle is that the downside is a continuation of the same financial situation. The setback of time of being in school and the internships is where I hesitate.

OP, maybe your use of the word 'setback' is the key. You will be 'spending' your future time doing something, so that expenditure will happen and you will be moving forward no matter what decision you make. The first question is how you want to spend your time, and then the next question is what you want to trade of your current resources (including emotional reserves) if you want to do something else with your time.

MSW programs vary widely. What type of future employment are you most interested in? The specific program will matter, and the specific professors and type of research being conducted at the university or college will matter because these classes and people are links to your future employment. For example, if you think you want to work in an education setting, who has those types of jobs now and where did they get their education credentials? Ditto if you think you want to work at someplace like NIH.

Also, you could take a graduation level class without enrolling in a degree program.

If you want to go to Paris, you have to buy an airline ticket.

If you want to go to Chicago, you could buy an airline ticket or a train ticket or a bus ticket, and you could keep you car and pay someone else to drive it.

What about renting out your house for the duration of your studies so that you have it working for you as a revenue stream?

You could rent out half of your house, and continue to live on there and attend school.

Pick a school where you might even want to work in the future.

Or start working for a university now that offers tuition remission.

There are so many pathways through the future. You have many options which can safely support your curiosity.

Working toward a positive opportunity for you also creates an opening for someone else to grow positively as well.