Degrees for midlife career changers?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by TonyM, Feb 11, 2010.

Loading...
  1. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    I'm about to hit my 20 year mark in a field I'd like to leave soon. It's one where the line jobs are rough on older people, and I hate being the boss, so I'm thinking it'll soon be time to move on. I already have a graduate degree, but would like to make a fresh push in a new direction. I have no idea which way to go, because my thoughts always lead back my own background. I'm willing to study or train again, but I don't want to waste my energy on something that's unlikely to lead somewhere. It'd be nice to go where people are needed, no niche career, and be something that's useful and requires some thinking and education.

    What are some distance learning degrees that are likely to create opportunities for mid-life career changers, assuming no particular background? In other words, if you pass ______ degree program you're likely to find work. I know I'm being very general, but I'm trying to get some ideas outside of my own usual lines of thought and don't want to be leading. Anyway, maybe others here have the same question. Thanks for any advice!
     
  2. vateacher

    vateacher New Member

    Tony,

    There is a major need for qualified teachers in certain hard-to-fill subjects - specifically math, science, and special education. There are a ton of schools which offer online degrees and certifications in education, and getting certified in one of these areas would almost ensure an immedaite job offer.
    I don't know if this path would interest you at all, but as a teacher I thought I'd throw it out there. The job doesn't offer great pay but many people find it very rewarding.
     
  3. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    What is your currently job/career? What degree you do have? After reading your post without knowing your background, even though you're some sort of management. I would recommend Law School.
     
  4. simon

    simon New Member

    Prior to seeking a new career it is usually best to determine one's interests, transferable skills, aptitudes and values as well as internal barriers (ie, inertia, procrastination, etc) in order to make a realistic career transition. It is also very important to review current and future labor market trends because even if one has interests and aptitudes in a specific field, but the field is not showing signs of growth, then it may not be viable to obtain education/training in that line of work. If one does not assess one's self as noted above their career search is unfocused and scatter-gun-like that may not result in a smooth career transition. Therefore, it may be advantageous to consult with a credentialed career counselor to collaboratively assess realistic and viable career options which may enhance the career transition process and the probability of a more satisfactory career adjustment.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Don't know if I agree. I have looked into law school and thought, "Do I really want to go into $100K in debt at 42 years old to break into a new and over saturated market to compete with people half my age?" What if the starting salary is 75K...what is the ROI? What if I have 20+ years management experience and could get a management job that pays $60K without any additional schooling...

    Sorry - you can see I have thought about this on more then one occasion...
     
  6. simon

    simon New Member

    Guys, I think we are jumping ahead of ourselves by even discussing the possibility of law school when we know absolutely nothing about the original poster's educational and career history, interests, aptitudes, readiness to pursue and commit to a degree program or his career objectives. Just an observation.
     
  7. Lindagerr

    Lindagerr New Member

    Just to clarify about teaching

    I agree teaching is a great career change, I am trying to do it myself. I just want to warn before you enroll in any teaching degree know your facts. I thought I did and now I am lost.

    Each state has their own rules on what certification they will and will not accept. Each state also has their own rules for alternate routes to teaching.

    I am getting my BA in Natural Science & Mathematics, I thought that would make me a good candidate for alternate route, I also have a very strong background in special ed. Well I am now finding out all that and even if I got ABCTE certification would not promise me a job in NJ. I would still need to pass the PRAXIS and (here is the hard part) find a school system willing to hire and mentor me. I have been told this will be very difficult to do.

    So before enrolling in a teacher program know your state and the rules there.


    I did have a career apptitude test done on me before I decided on teaching, it was a strong match, and I love the substitute teaching I am doing. So I encourage getting an assesment before deciding on a program of study.
     
  8. emissary

    emissary New Member

    I've had this same quandry. There are several career fields that are what I consider career-in-a-box. Teaching, for example. You get your undergrad, you get your teaching cert and bam, you're a teacher. Likewise with votech; you get your x-ray tech license and you're an x-ray tech. Obviously the fields that operate this way are experiencing high demand, and may or may not have incredible pay scales, but many will provide a decent standard of living and stability. I have found no ready made career paths that are readily available through DL other than teaching, but will be actively watching this thread.
     
  9. emissary

    emissary New Member

    disclaimer: I am not a teacher, and have never worked in a public school system. I have, however, thoroughly researched the teaching field in Texas.

    Linda, I'm curious about your situation, as I believe that I am about to embark down the same degree path that you are on. In what I'm finding down in the south, if you are willing to teach secondary math and/or science (physics, natural science, etc...) then you are a highly desirable candidate, and can readily be hired/mentored during the 1-year probationary certification period by most districts with an opening. Are you finding that your degree is a hinderance, or is NJ simply not as starved for teachers as TX apparently is? Down here the pedagogy and content exams are thorough, but apparently not that challenging (98% pass rate through many universities).
     
  10. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Well, he doesn't want to be in management (boss). Law School is only distance learning through DETC or Concord Law School.
     
  11. CS1

    CS1 New Member

    Do you think it would be a wise career choice for someone that is probably in their mid 40's? Following the completion of four years at a DL law school and assuming he passed the bar exam and was admitted to practice law, what do you think the employment prospects are for a 45/50 year old law school graduate with no experience? Factor in that most lawyers are getting ready to wind down their careers by the time they hit 50, or even retire. Is it it possible? Of course it is, but I still see it as a difficult career path, especially when it comes to securing a job.
     
  12. Lindagerr

    Lindagerr New Member

    I want to teach in K-8

    They may have a shortage of teachers in NJ but it is not in the rural areas. If I was willing and able to go into a city (Newark,Camden,Trenton or even smaller cities Asbury Park, Long Branch, Wayne) I might be able to get a job easier. All of those cities are at least an hour from me. I work in a tiny (2 schools 550 students) school system and I am reluctant to leave my safe haven. I will eventually, I just want to finish my degree before I spend time on that. I am learning a lot from my almost daily subbing and I have 23 credits to finish by June 15.
     
  13. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Well then, the market is very similar to down here. Teaching K-8 or gen ed means you have to find the rare opening at a small school, or move to the larger municipalities. I'll quit hijacking this thread though....
     
  14. bazonkers

    bazonkers New Member

    In this economy, I don't think ANY degree path is one where you'll likely find work. It'll still be a challenge to land a new job in a new career field.
     
  15. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

  16. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Thanks for the posts!

    Thanks, everyone! Teaching, x-ray tech and insurance are jobs I can see myself doing. I don't think I have the steam to take on law school and practice at this point (but that's just me for others it may work well in their 40s). In my case, I'm a police officer with a master's in criminal justice and about 1/2 of another in history. When I do change jobs I want to try something entirely different than what I've done in the past. The suggestions here a good start in that direction. Here are a couple more I've thought of today: Librarian and
    certified financial planner or analyst.
     
  17. Dave Wagner

    Dave Wagner Active Member

    Teaching is an excellent suggestion. Another suggestion might be substance abuse counselor. Chemical dependency is pandemic at this point. If marijuana is ever made generally legal, tens of thousands of substance counselors will be needed almost over night to deal with substance abusers (and their behavior) outside and in conjunction with the criminal justice system. If you want to help people who are destroying their lives and society, try substance abuse counseling.
     
  18. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    I just wanted to encourage you! As I approached my 20 year mark I also started thinking about a career change. I did a lot of homework- still am really. I had a few false starts for various reasons, and like you, I wanted to find a solid path that would be as close to a sure thing as a person could get. I have decided to take the plunge, and as my momentum has started, I have gotten more excited. I'm in school now, and I wish you great success as you find a new path!
     
  19. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    I thought about library for a while. I read a lot of very negative projections about the phasing out of print media and the down trends of that profession. With an entry level requirement at a masters degree- this was a risk I wasn't up for. Not to suggest you not do your own research, just sharing what led me to other ideas.

    Based on the ideas you shared, I looks to me like you are looking for a quiet and peaceful work environment. I can only imagine how much that contrasts to police work! What about accounting/CPA?
     
  20. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Good suggestions!

    Thanks for the encouragement...good suggestions! I hadn't thought of accounting or substance abuse counseling. I wonder what the entry level programs are like? For accounting, I would be quite happy to work at the bookkeeper level, something that I could do with an AS or BS or maybe even a certificate program. Does anyone know the routes to basic substance abuse counseling? Is that something you can do with master's in counseling or is there some lower level person who assists the licensed clinicians?
     

Share This Page