Age and Advanced Degrees

Is anyone else on this forum who is considering a graduate degree my age or older? I'm 55, and I'm just wondering if it's a good and smart thing to be considering enrolling in a master's degree, or am I simply nuts.

All feedback appreciated.

 

Michael,

When it comes to education, trust me you are not too old in years to consider such. If this is indeed your path, pursue it. If it will advance your career, pursue it. If you really want to do it deep down in your heart, pursue it. It will only make you better.

Oh, another note. Prayer is also a good idea to pursue in this matter.

 

What if the OP is non-religious? One should not make assumptions that everyone prays. Just sayin'.

 

Some food for thought.. If you're considering a program that has poor ROI, then you need to consider whether the intellectual/personal benefits outweigh this predicament and if you can afford to take the hit financially. If you can answer in the affirmative, then I say "go for it!" You only live once.

If your program of choice will have a positive ROI, then the only question is whether you have enough interest to see it through until the end.

BTW, this advice is not age-dependent!

 

Michael,

I dont' find age to be an issue. Study that which you can. Strictly from a monetary standpoint, if ROI is an issue, then age may become a factor, but there are plenty of reasonably priced degrees so that even a modest return will pay for the degree. At close to your age I'm working on another bachelors, don't care about the ROI, it just happens to be convenient.

I used to subscribe to Car and Driver and one of the editors always made a decision on the purchase of a car based upon the beer and pizza ROI. If you don't do the degree how much beer and pizza can you buy (or whatever equates to beer and pizza for you), and which would make you happier?

Would the degree enhance your social life? professional life? Would completing the degree take away from family time, or affect the quality of your life due to academic pressures?

Just some thoughts since you asked.

Regards,

 

I'm 40, but considering a program that I wouldn't likely graduate from until I'm 50-51. That said, I think there are 2 ways to come at your question.

1. Logically- You are looking for a new career, pursuing a dream that you have always had to be an X, unfulfilled career goals, want to get your life on track, want an advancement in your company, one last shot at earning big $ before retirement, etc. In that case, return on investment can be used to guide your choices. It's more of a math problem. Just determine a reasonable length of time and find a program with a reasonable cost then go.

2. You are at a place in your life where your kids are grown, you are comfortable financially and you just want to do it damn it. In that case, it's a personal issue.

I fit into #1 right now, but I have plenty of fantasy degrees that I'd like to get when I'm financially able to do so. Of course a bunch of people on the internet should'nt make this huge decision for you- but if you do decide to go forward, you'll have a lot of support from this board....it's kinda what people here do for fun!

 

I was 60 when I received my second Masters degree - I did it for fun and learning - although it looks good on those occasions when I include it in proposals. I'm now pursuing a diploma in field geology again for fun through UCR.

 

I am 57 years old in 30 years, but I still consider for a second Master and a Ph.D. :tongue: Just kidding, I agree with most of replies; it is not too late at all. When it comes to education, there is always improvement. There was people at age of 90 something just graduate from Undergraduate and continue for graduate (Mrs Nola Ochs).

So go with your decission for a Master degree.

 

YEA, YOU ARE NUTS! But then again, so am I. I'm 53 and working on an EdD. I chose a less expensive school to try to improve the ROI on the whole issue. (The school turned out to be first class, too) The problem when you are older is the fact that you don't have as much time to make the money back. I'm enjoying the challenge and the accomplishment, and it's an achievement I want to attain, no matter what the return is.

 

Thanks to everybody for your very helpful and interesting replies!

Well, I think I'll go forward and plan on enrolling.

However, I have found out that I'll probably have to eliminate a couple of areas from my possible choices -- school library media and school counselor. At the school I was looking at for these, you have to do powerpoint presentations as part of the lesson requirements. Not only do i not know how to do a powerpoint presentation, I didn't even know what it was till I did a search on it!

So, I guess I'll have to go with either a Writing/English degree or a Theology/Religion degree. I'm not the most computer proficient person, but I think I know enough to get through in either of those areas., from the syllabi I've looked at.

 

Don't be afraid of Powerpoint. It's not very difficult to learn.

 

Here is the best way to learn PowerPoint; it will cost you $25 to join Lynda.com for a month, but for that money, you will get excellent video tutorials that show you exactly what to do. I'm a regular, monthly member of Lynda.com and I use it for many things, including instruction in my classroom lessons. If you don't know how to do things on the computer, Lynda.com is the easy way to learn.
Courses for Microsoft Powerpoint and Microsoft Office

 

Same age, just finishing my BS. I'll be doing my MA next and will probably do two of them!

 

These days the term “PowerPoint” appears to be used for any electronic displayed presentation (As Xerox is used for copies). I’ve used free Google Docs to create presentations when I did not have access to MS PowerPoint.
Generating presentations are no more difficult than generating a MS Word report as ling as you keep them simple.

 

Then the OP can ignore the advice .

 

No you are not nuts. If you want to do study do it now if at all possible. I am 54 and am now working on my second masters degree. I can't go into details becauseof space but all my advanced education has been part time or external, including my Senior Certificate (High School Diploma). When I did the Senior Certificate there were people our age doing that too. So you are never too old!! In fact, the course I am doing a the moment is a Master of History through the University of New England in Australia which was only introduced last year - the very first graduate was a lady of 83. She is now working on an MA(Hons) which is a pure research degree. Above all, don't listen to people who tell you why you can't do something.

 

Don't we go to school/take online courses to learn stuff that we don't already know?

 

Powerpoint is used in many programs, so I wouldn't choose a program based on it.