Many have done it, and some have regretted it–going back to school after you’ve worked professionally for years. Is it worth it?
Many years ago, my aunt was let go from her job as a factory line worker after being employed there for well over 20 years. At that time she was in her mid-50s, had a teenager still living at home with her as well as my uncle, and had not attained any additional education since graduating from high school in the 1960s. Upon being laid off, she decided it was high time to go back to school so she could have more options in her job search. She decided to enter into a program for her Associates Degree and worked as an administrator at a local University for the next 15 years until her recent retirement.
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I always admired her perseverance with seeking to further her education, especially given the fact that she was in her mid-50s. She could have easily decided to not pursue additional opportunities and stayed within her comfort zone as a factory line worker, but she went for more. But is going for more as it pertains to a pursuit in higher education always beneficial for everyone?
Many have explored this trend of full time employees going back to school, whether as a reaction to being laid off or simply as a means to get ahead on a current job, and some of the more common factors and benefits to consider before doing so are as follows:
- There is no guarantee for a better job upon graduating. As with many who have gone to college immediately after high school, the fact remains that we are still dealing with a rough job market. Persons desiring to go back to school after working full time, especially in an unrelated field, often times find themselves dealing with the issue of not having enough work experience in that area they went to study. A way to combat this issue is by interning while in school and seeking outside opportunities that may go hand in hand with your new degree. Those who have been out of the job search market for years should seek assistance and take time to brush up on their resume and interviewing skills so their new degree will not be in vain.
- Do Your Research. Your current job may offer a program that will send you back to school at no cost to you as long as you stay on board with them for some years thereafter. Additionally, the consideration of all fees and offered degrees should be at the forefront of your search. It has been suggested that those seeking to go back to school don’t just pick any old major and/or school simply because they desire to enroll. Make sure you are pursuing an educational goal that will put you on the right track to achieving the goal you set for yourself.
- Understand the Pros and Cons of Student Debt. Student loans should not be looked upon as free money. I believe that some of us who have graduated from institutions of high learner at some point in time believed we would get major high paying jobs and the student debt we incurred will be minuscule in the grand scheme of things also. Boy, were we wrong! Student debt is real. It is even more of an undertaking if you have grown up expenses, such as health care costs and mortgages, to manage as well on top of the costs associated with school. Sit down with a counselor or administrator at a school you are interested in to not only get information about any possible scholarships, but to also understand the amount of student loans you may need if you decide to enroll.
- Do not let anyone or any circumstance deter you. Some people go back to school as a means of obtaining higher pay, while others do it simply to achieve a goal they may have set for themselves years ago. It is easy to get bogged down by the opinions and stories of struggle from others, but do not let that deter you. So many people have decided to go back to school, whether part-time or full-time. The key is exploring all options, being prepared for the time and financial constraints it may cause and just going for it!
Rashida Maples, Esq. is Founder and Managing Partner of J. Maples & Associates (www.jmaplesandassociates.com . She has practiced Entertainment, Real Estate and Small Business Law for 9 years, handling both transactional and litigation matters. Her clients include R&B Artists Bilal and Olivia, NFL Superstar Ray Lewis, Fashion Powerhouse Harlem’s Fashion Row and Hirschfeld Properties, LLC.
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