A PhD IN YOUR 40'S?!? How viable?

Over the years the Civil Air Patrol has had many missions. It has a varied and distinguished past. During war and peace. They even have credit for sinking a submarine I believe.

While it is true that being a CAP officer is not the same as being an Air Force commisioned officer. These people spend a lot of time and money training for their role in the Air Force Auxilliary. I met many an Air Force officer when I was envolved and they all seemed to respect us and our role. Officers must progress through several training levels and time in grade to gain rank. ECI courses are a part of that. Additionally, during the summer there are various opportunities for members to participate in various schools on bases. Where they are expected to act like the "real deal". They deserve respect and in my humble opinion the right, by law anyway, to wear the uniform.

That said! I was a military brat and due to a childhood accident that left me blind in one eye, and later health problems I was unable to serve my country in the armed services. Participating in CAP was my way of contributing and I took it very seriously. I wish I were able to be envolved today.


If your serious get involved. Help guide those cadets. Show them what a career in the service can give!

 

Good day, everyone.

Similar to several of the responses, I, too, could be considered 'long in the tooth', but choose not to let that be an artificial inhibitor.

earned B. Arts @ 21 (bricks/mortar) - I was NOT a distinguished student.
MBA @ 49 (distance) (GPA of about 3.4)
enrolled in HUX @ 49 (distance) (all 'A's so far, i.e GPA 4)
completed Provincial Instructors' Diploma (for college teaching) @ 49 (bricks/m) (All A+, which equates to GPA 4)
And, now at age 50, am starting the Touro PhD (GPA tba!)

__________________

I've been recently promoted to upper management at the post-2ndary institute that I work for, and I was accepted to teach night school business, last year, right after finishing the MBA.

So... the degrees are what you make of them. I feel that I have a good 15 to 20 years of productivity in me, if not more, and the doctorate is not a requirement so much as a personal challenge. It will help me in my work, regardless of whether it's management or teaching, as I will continue to be exposed to new ideas, tried and true theories, and lots of research.

Full disclosure:
With all of that said, if I had to pay every nickel myself, the ROI would not likely pay out. I am fortunate in having most of my tuition paid for, as higher ed is something administrators are expected to pursue when already working in higher education. If I had to pay for it all, I think that I would still pursue the doctorate, but I would put myself on a longer-term plan, so that I could afford the tuition.

With thanks

Michael in Vancouver, Canada

 

aging workforce

The North American workforce is aging. I think the notion of a person having 2 or 3 careers over a life span has also become part of the culture.
If a person has a topic of great interest, earning a doctorate makes sense at almost any age. Some land grant colleges have a policy of reduced tuition for senior citizens.
When I was at Florida State a prof. was retiring to go work at Nova. He had been at U. Chic. for 25 years and reached retirement age. So he retired and went to Fl. State. Where 15 years later he reached retirement age again and was forced to retire. Nova seemed happy to get him. He stayed in the same field, but at different organizations.
Many military people have 3 careers. A friend of mine was in the military for 20 years. He then became a correctional officer and later a supervisor. He retired from the military at age 37. He retired from corrections at age 57. He then went into town planning, got a masters degree in urban planning and at 68 is almost reaedy for his 3rd pension.
If you have "fire in the belly" go for it.
All the best!