Going back to college in your early 40s...sounds like a terrible idea...but Im considering it.

[StuckInTheEast]

Fair enough and easy enough for me to say knowing absolutely nothing.

But…..there’s always only fans?

Not sure that works quite as well for guys...but if I had anything anyone wanted to pay to see I'd show for a paycheck in a heartbeat

 

[MarkOrtiz]

I went back to school at 36 and just graduated from SNHU at 41 this spring with an Environmental Science degree. It was mostly paid for by my employer which was the only reason I really could do it, plus SNHU was pretty easy and all after work in the evenings online. Now looking at other jobs that I might like better and everything is about 50% of what I make now. We are set up pretty well and packing away money into 401ks, HRA, and investments with a plan to retire/semi-retire about 55. I think I will just stay here at this employer and take more vacations and just learn to live with it at this time. I'll keep the degree for a what if or need to move scenario. Maybe just a lateral shift for you might be what you need. Close to equal pay and close to the same job, but for a different employer, or just different enough that it makes your day to day life a little better. Hope you find a solution or something that works for you.

 

[Amos Keeto]

I went back to school at 36 and just graduated from SNHU at 41 this spring with an Environmental Science degree. It was mostly paid for by my employer which was the only reason I really could do it, plus SNHU was pretty easy and all after work in the evenings online. Now looking at other jobs that I might like better and everything is about 50% of what I make now. We are set up pretty well and packing away money into 401ks, HRA, and investments with a plan to retire/semi-retire about 55. I think I will just stay here at this employer and take more vacations and just learn to live with it at this time. I'll keep the degree for a what if or need to move scenario. Maybe just a lateral shift for you might be what you need. Close to equal pay and close to the same job, but for a different employer, or just different enough that it makes your day to day life a little better. Hope you find a solution or something that works for you.

Put yourself out there as a "consultant". Guy i worked with was the first person in our department to work with an ozone (O3) generator in one of our plants.
Until he retired and after he retired, he made some good money as other plants in the area installed ozone systems.

 

[Sandhills]

My dad did it in his late 40s and early fifties. Goofed off too much when he was younger, would rather party.

He got a degree, associates of science as he went to a jr college, and a certificate in fish hatchery management. He took out a 30 k student loan and then never applied his degree or certificate to a career.

Not trying to dissuade you, because education is important and I commend anyone who wishes to further theirs. Good luck and I hope you find a kick ass job in the field you like

 

[180ls1]

Interesting how fast time goes by.

Since my post here, I earned my Masters in Personal Finance. Some of my designations applied/exempted me from 2 classes and some of the other classes I could pass at my own pace (expedited, been in the industry a while).

I know confirmation bias is real but it feels like the right decision. I'm 37 and never plan to fully retire until I have to. Best of luck everyone! It was certainly rough at times but I am glad I jumped in and hit it hard.

 

[jdl25]

Just a thought, based on how I went back to college as an adult. I went to community college and got a two year associates degree, then transferred to a four year school and finished the last two years. This saved me a ton of money. Plus it was cool in the short term to earn the two year degree, a halfway point goal with something tangible.

Initially I was so scared to fail that I took one class per semester in community college for the first few semesters. By the time I got to the university I was taking a few classes each semester, maximizing both summer sessions, working full time, and I had a part time job. Adults do well in college. It's mostly time management.

You can do anything you put your mind to.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I graduated from high school at 18. Got my first degree if fisheries at 23. I got a second degree in mining at 28. I got a masters in mining at 48. In between I was 1 class short of a degree in geology. I took multiple classes in metallurgy and now I occasionaly teach them.

Along the trip I have taken numerous classes in the form of short courses at 5 or 6 universities. I have taught classes at 2 universities and for the federal government. All of this while working hunting elk every fall.

You never quit learning and often you⁰ learn more teaching. I have spent the last 30 years teaching people how to be successful including solving complicated industry problems. You never quit learning.. Make life work for you. School teaches you how to think- life teaches you how to use it.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Have you looked at fleet maintenance jobs? Would at least take dealing with the public out of the equation.

Our fleet guys do well, they get to be apart of our union and it’s a fairly chill environment, it seems pretty sought after, but great guys!

 

[F16pointy]

I spent 20 year in the USAF, thought I knew the entire time what I was going to do when I retired. The last 8 years that I was in I was miserable most of the time. I also had completed 3 degrees while I was in, highest was a Masters. Then I got a wild hair up my butt and completely changed directions, started Electrical Engineering degree at 43. Definitely wasnt easy juggling home life and school work. But I have been done now for a little over 6 years and love what I am doing. It was totally worth the time it took to complete the degree. Life is to damn short to be miserable all the time! Go for it dude!

 

[VomSteinbruch]

I went to an art school when I was 17. I spent five years studying everything and nothing at the same time, while also drinking, dating, and generally trying to figure myself out. If a class was considered cool, I took it: painting, sculpture, anthropology, urban studies. You name it. I probably wasted a fair amount of my parents' money and patience along the way.

I graduated at 21 with even more confusion and delusion than when I started.

Then I moved to NYC where my uncle lived. He told me he could get me a day job so I could pursue my dreams at night. I started working as a drawing librarian at a large engineering company. I was impressed by how serious and committed those people were. Unlike many of my artist friends, they actually built things.

Long story short, I started an apprenticeship and learned drafting. I spent five or six years there and eventually worked my way up to assistant engineer. I met some great people, including a surprising number of closet hunters and outdoorsmen. You can't exactly advertise that hobby in NYC.

Then I went through a breakup. For a sensitive young man, it was devastating.

I walked away from everything and spent four months hitchhiking across the country. It was an incredible period of solitude. I saw some beautiful places and realized just how magnificent God's creation is. Eventually, I returned to my normal life. My old boss rehired me, and I spent more time in the field working on larger and more complex projects.

A few years later, my boss, an avid outdoorsman from some godforsaken village in Arctic Norway, sat me down and told me that I would soon hit a ceiling because I didn't have a degree, and there was nothing he could do about it.

By then, I was 32. I honestly thought I was too old to go back to college.

I told my wife what was going to happen. She said I had to get a degree and that she would support me however she could.

So, I moved to Michigan and earned a bachelor's degree in building sciences. I graduated just three months before my 36th birthday. Those were some of the best years of my life.

My dad went to a collage at 35 and graduated 40.

If you really want something and have the support to pursue it, age becomes secondary.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Frat parties are lit I am sure, that would be one bonus

 

[MuleDeerMike]

Keep in mind you can likely get your 4 year degree in only 3 years or even 2 and a half if you takes classes each Summer and do an extra class each quarter or every other quarter. That's what I did to get my Bachelor's.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I went to an art school when I was 17. I spent five years studying everything and nothing at the same time, while also drinking, dating, and generally trying to figure myself out. If a class was considered cool, I took it: painting, sculpture, anthropology, urban studies. You name it. I probably wasted a fair amount of my parents' money and patience along the way.

I graduated at 21 with even more confusion and delusion than when I started.

Then I moved to NYC where my uncle lived. He told me he could get me a day job so I could pursue my dreams at night. I started working as a drawing librarian at a large engineering company. I was impressed by how serious and committed those people were. Unlike many of my artist friends, they actually built things.

Long story short, I started an apprenticeship and learned drafting. I spent five or six years there and eventually worked my way up to assistant engineer. I met some great people, including a surprising number of closet hunters and outdoorsmen. You can't exactly advertise that hobby in NYC.

Then I went through a breakup. For a sensitive young man, it was devastating.

I walked away from everything and spent four months hitchhiking across the country. It was an incredible period of solitude. I saw some beautiful places and realized just how magnificent God's creation is. Eventually, I returned to my normal life. My old boss rehired me, and I spent more time in the field working on larger and more complex projects.

A few years later, my boss, an avid outdoorsman from some godforsaken village in Arctic Norway, sat me down and told me that I would soon hit a ceiling because I didn't have a degree, and there was nothing he could do about it.

By then, I was 32. I honestly thought I was too old to go back to college.

I told my wife what was going to happen. She said I had to get a degree and that she would support me however she could.

So, I moved to Michigan and earned a bachelor's degree in building sciences. I graduated just three months before my 36th birthday. Those were some of the best years of my life.

My dad went to a collage at 35 and graduated 40.

If you really want something and have the support to pursue it, age becomes secondary.

Tell us some stories about hot, wild, goth art school chicks!!!!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Keep in mind you can likely get your 4 year degree in only 3 years or even 2 and a half if you takes classes each Summer and do an extra class each quarter or every other quarter. That's what I did to get my Bachelor's.

Yeah if you can buckle down it’s very doable. I got both my masters degrees in under 14 months each.

 

[VomSteinbruch]

hot, wild, goth art school chicks

Art hoes are real, but there were not many goth chicks around when I was there. It was the early 2000's
Ones that were, or closest to that movement, they were very picky and only dated the top tier looking and "charismatic" dudes. I met none of the requirements, so they were above my grade.

Them and the Cocaine Chick girls were kinda overlapping. The Cocaine Chicks were even hotter and but even pickier. And many of them actually did drugs, which I never did.

Having said that I remember when the hipsters came around. Initially, it attracted uncool (unconventional), ok looking but smart people. I kinda met those parameters. I felt like a fish in the tank. I had my share of fun with the chubby hipster girls lol. They were easily approachable and weren't nearly as picky or as mentally deranged as other art hoes.

Besides all that art hoe stuff, there were quite a few nice girls that were normal, who didn't do crazy shit to just piss off the parents or prove a point. They actually studied well, worked hard and are now happily married and/or have a decent career. My best friend met his wife at the same time we were there. She is a great person and a good artist.

I keep few of those nice ones in Facebook friends in case my wife divorces for spending too much time in the woods with my dogs

 

[browndogs]

Where are you located? Being a mechanic already, have you given any thought into maintenance at a data center? Pay is great and it is always something different.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Art hoes are real, but there were not many goth chicks around when I was there. It was the early 2000's
Ones that were, or closest to that movement, they were very picky and only dated the top tier looking and "charismatic" dudes. I met none of the requirements, so they were above my grade.

Them and the Cocaine Chick girls were kinda overlapping. The Cocaine Chicks were even hotter and but even pickier. And many of them actually did drugs, which I never did.

Having said that I remember when the hipsters came around. Initially, it attracted uncool (unconventional), ok looking but smart people. I kinda met those parameters. I felt like a fish in the tank. I had my share of fun with the chubby hipster girls lol. They were easily approachable and weren't nearly as picky or as mentally deranged as other art hoes.

Besides all that art hoe stuff, there were quite a few nice girls that were normal, who didn't do crazy shit to just piss off the parents or prove a point. They actually studied well, worked hard and are now happily married and/or have a decent career. My best friend met his wife at the same time we were there. She is a great person and a good artist.

I keep few of those nice ones in Facebook friends in case my wife divorces for spending too much time in the woods with my dogs

This is a great and very honest poast, I love it haha

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

The ladies with daddy issues would be the main plus

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

Unless you are into dudes
But I assume there will be plenty with daddy issues as well

 

[StuckInTheEast]

Well, I wasn't expecting this one to resurface, but here it is.
Alot of guys with some inspiring experiences and solid input...and some weird shit about college art chicks to boot...good reads.
I wish I had something I could home in on and just know "yep...thats it...thats my goal, thats what I want to do" like some of you have...Ive not found that yet, but Ive not given up either.

I suppose I should have updated, but not much positive progress to report.
Lately Ive been in maintain/survive mode and havent accomplished much other than fighting lumbar spine issues that suddenly started affecting my legs/feet pretty bad a few months ago and really been kicking my ass.
Not doing much other than desk duty at the daily grind, PT, doctors visits and trying to get an injection set up soon in hopes to get it more manageable before my moose hunt in September...which has been one of few things keeping me going and somewhat motivated. That hunt, should my back not slide further down hill before hand, will soon be followed by l4-l5 decompression surgery and possibly some work at l5-s1 before the years end. Im still working things out with the surgeon but 2 separate opinions point towards how soon and not if I'll need to go under the knife.
Ive had back pain for over a decade, but some congenital issues accompanied by 25 years of physical labor finally caught up with me it seems. This may force my hand to find a different route to finishing out my working years though Im really not sure where its all gonna lead just yet.
Not real worried about to far in the future presently to be honest. The last few months of my own and immediate family health issues, vacations, kids sports/activities and just trying to keep up with life in general while living in pretty constant pain has pretty well dimmed any glimmer of clarity I was searching for and Ive made peace with that for the time being.
I dont wanna sound like a downer. Im ok, life is not bad by any means and Im fortunate enough to have alot of support on the home front come what may.
I just dont have the bandwidth to process much more than the day to day right now.
The fresh start success stories are always good to read, keep them coming for anyone who might find some motivation and reassurance in them.

I'll update if I ever manage to stop falling apart long enough to get my shit together.