Who on VN made a career change in your mid-30's?

#1
zidanefan

zidanefan

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#1
I'm considering going back to school. Just wondering how many of you lawyers, MBA folks, professors, etc... went back to school with a family (wife, kids) in your 30's.

If so, what was it? What did you do before, what do you do now?

What was the transition like? Did you go to school locally, transfer, online?

Did your wife/husband work? Etc... Just curious for advice from VN career change success stories.
 
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#2
#2
I didn't go back to school, but I left what I went to school for (lumber grading), and went to work in a textile factory at 30.
 
#3
#3
zidanefan said:
I'm considering going back to school. Just wondering how many of you lawyers, MBA folks, professors, etc... went back to school with a family (wife, kids) in your 30's.
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I have not. My younger brother (just graduated at 30 after not finishing because of family starting) will start at Vanderbilt Medical as a radiologist next Monday. He worked weekends and nights for 2 years to finish the schooling he started 12 years ago and it took hard work on his part and his wife's part. They are extremely happy it is over and I'm happy for him. If it is going to make you happy .....do it. The could have would haves will kill you and make you an old man fast if you are not happy. Go for it..... And come here for support.
 
#4
#4
I went to school with several that did. It is a very difficult balance and make sure you know exactly what you want to do before you make the leap. Remember the grass is not always greener
 
#5
#5
Got my MBA in my early 30's. It's hard going back to school with young 20 somethings because they literally don't have a clue.
 
#6
#6
Might want to check with Billy Costigan... think he's changed careers a few times.
 
#7
#7
I was in restaurant management for 8 years after undergrad in Digital Media. Total waste of the degree. When the wife and I found out baby #1 was on the way I had to get out. The hours are not conducive to family life. So I went back and got a MS in Entrepreneurial Leadership which allowed my to brush up on my undergrad skills and re-enter the field with a fresh degree instead of 8 years of unrelated working experience.

Our situation was good because my wife made enough to support us whole I went to back to school full time. Plus I was able to get a scholarship to cover tuition.

Afterwards I partnered up with a buddy of mine and we have a digital marketing business. I make more per hour but work less hours so not really making as much as I was. But the end game is still ahead as we grow our business and the flexible hours are invaluable with 3 small children at home.

Now... could I have done this without going back to school? Probably. I will say the masters I got fused business (MBA) and technology courses which have helped immensely with building a start up.

Long story short, I'm much happier now than if I had stayed in the restaurant business.
 
#8
#8
I started my career at 33, as getting a PhD in Clinical Psychology takes a while, including a year of internship. My wife and I were married 8 years before that, and we had a child when I was 34. My wife, and the stipend that UT paid me, supported us through my schooling, with no need for student loans. Don't think it would have been worth it if I had left with a ton of loans.
 
#9
#9
This is the very topic of my late discussions, I've worked my fingers to the bone doing HARDwood floors, I may do one here and there, but, I've gone into sales... Mostly Electronics... HypR inc/HypR communications. You can find me on Amazon
 
#10
#10
VolLee said:
I started my career at 33, as getting a PhD in Clinical Psychology takes a while, including a year of internship. My wife and I were married 8 years before that, and we had a child when I was 34. My wife, and the stipend that UT paid me, supported us through my schooling, with no need for student loans. Don't think it would have been worth it if I had left with a ton of loans.
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Probably applying to grad schools this cycle for clinical psych. Did you like UT's program? What are the GRE and GPA requirements?
 
#11
#11
I'm starting school back up this fall semester. I'm in my early thirties, and have had the same career for 8 years now. I'm bored and would like something else to do. Never hurts to have other options.
 
#12
#12
WiseGuy said:
Probably applying to grad schools this cycle for clinical psych. Did you like UT's program? What are the GRE and GPA requirements?
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They say that most of the students they accept have a combined verbal/comp GRE of 300 and GPAs above 3.5. It's a pretty competitive program, but not like UNC or anything. I loved it there, from beginning to end. Like all clinical programs, it's a ton of work, and not all of it is fun. There were semesters that I had to put in at least 70 hours every week. I thought the clinical training was excellent, and the opportunities for research are always there. They have a great record of getting students into Internship sites, which is something you need to consider, as internships accept 75% of applicants and you have to have it before you can earn your doctorate. Many Clinical PhD programs have shifted to less clinical training and more research; UT still concentrates on both.
 
#13
#13
I had been in the restaurant business for 15 years. My wife and I found out we had a baby on the way and there was no way we were going to make it, as things stood. We moved from UT to Memphis, where her parents were. I took what work experience and un-finished college schooling and went out applying for jobs in my field of study - Transportation/Logistics. I was hired by a solid company down here that would even allow me to go back to school for two classes per semester to finish out my degree - free of charge. This was quite a good benefit, as I was on salary and they would let me miss work to attend class, as long as I provided them my course schedule. I had to maintain a certain GPA, but never made less than an A (except for that evil Managerial Economics class - made a B.) The career took off and I've never looked back.
Good luck to you, if you make a switch.
 
#14
#14
MphsBlues said:
I had been in the restaurant business for 15 years. My wife and I found out we had a baby on the way and there was no way we were going to make it, as things stood. We moved from UT to Memphis, where her parents were. I took what work experience and un-finished college schooling and went out applying for jobs in my field of study - Transportation/Logistics. I was hired by a solid company down here that would even allow me to go back to school for two classes per semester to finish out my degree - free of charge. This was quite a good benefit, as I was on salary and they would let me miss work to attend class, as long as I provided them my course schedule. I had to maintain a certain GPA, but never made less than an A (except for that evil Managerial Economics class - made a B.) The career took off and I've never looked back.
Good luck to you, if you make a switch.
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Wait, what restaurant were you involved with MB?
 
#15
#15
I'm in my late 40's and I'm considering returning to college full-time. I just can't see myself retiring as a truck driver.

Good luck to the OP.
 
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#16
#16
MG1968 said:
I'm in my late 40's and I'm considering returning to college full-time. I just can't see myself retiring as a truck driver.

Good luck to the OP.
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I'm 40 (and while I drive a dump truck) I don't want to retire as one either.

I'm thinking of learning to weld and maybe start my own business in the field.
 
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#17
#17
I got my Paramedic certification back in 2000 and been doing that ever since. I'm 37 now and getting ready to start my second year of (Associates Degree) nursing school. I still have to work full time in order to pay the bills, pay for school, and keep health insurance. I'm married and have two kids, but the marriage is pretty well on the rocks, not totally because of school though (I worked two full time jobs for 3+ years prior to school, yet had more free time in those days). I don't have a problem with the material that I'm "learning" or the practice of nursing because of all of my years of experience as a Paramedic, but it's a major time commitment/inconvenience.
 
#18
#18
It is great to hear you guys willing to do what it takes to give you and your family a better life. It could be a little tough while you are in school just keep in mind 2 -4 years is a short time in life and well worth the sacrifice.
My hats off to each of you :hi:
 
#19
#19
Thanks all. Great stories and advice thus far. I went back to finish undergrad in 2012 - 17 hours in Spring, nine over the Summer, and 19 in Fall all while working full time, so I've done the grind. It's definitely brutal, but doable with the proper motivation.

Just trying to decide what kind of path to follow, how much (if any) debt is reasonable, and so forth. I would love to teach, but a doctoral program is probably not in the cards at this point with the kids.
 
#20
#20
zidanefan said:
Thanks all. Great stories and advice thus far. I went back to finish undergrad in 2012 - 17 hours in Spring, nine over the Summer, and 19 in Fall all while working full time, so I've done the grind. It's definitely brutal, but doable with the proper motivation.

Just trying to decide what kind of path to follow, how much (if any) debt is reasonable, and so forth. I would love to teach, but a doctoral program is probably not in the cards at this point with the kids.
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Look for scholarships/grants. I had to do some lab monitoring and assisted a professor with an online course one semester but it was less than 5hrs/week (lab duty I used to work on projects).
 
#23
#23
golfballs said:
What kind of textiles?
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We make different fabrics. A lot of shade cloths, material that they use before paving roads, the fabric for trampilines, swimming pool covers and such.
 
#24
#24
VolLee said:
They say that most of the students they accept have a combined verbal/comp GRE of 300 and GPAs above 3.5. It's a pretty competitive program, but not like UNC or anything. I loved it there, from beginning to end. Like all clinical programs, it's a ton of work, and not all of it is fun. There were semesters that I had to put in at least 70 hours every week. I thought the clinical training was excellent, and the opportunities for research are always there. They have a great record of getting students into Internship sites, which is something you need to consider, as internships accept 75% of applicants and you have to have it before you can earn your doctorate. Many Clinical PhD programs have shifted to less clinical training and more research; UT still concentrates on both.
Click to expand...

My GPA isn't quite 3.5, but I think I'll have a very competitive GRE score. Do you have any other tips on things I can do to increase the likelihood of being admitted?

I've been talking to the military and they qualified me for the HPSP.
 
#25
#25
WiseGuy said:
My GPA isn't quite 3.5, but I think I'll have a very competitive GRE score. Do you have any other tips on things I can do to increase the likelihood of being admitted?

I've been talking to the military and they qualified me for the HPSP.
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Research experience is key. Without that, there is really no chance of getting in. Even in our masters program, we don't admit anyone without research experience and a desire to conduct research. You need three good recommenders. At least two of them need to be in academia and write about your research skills and interest.
 
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