Going back to school increases the possibility of securing higher-paying employment, advancing your career, getting training in a highly marketable field and also if you want, getting the chance for a career change. If you’re over 50, you may want to back to school due to several reasons.
Perhaps you started a family and never had the chance to better yourself education wise, or you’ve had a secure job all your life but now all of a sudden it’s gone, or maybe you’ve been in the correctional facilities all your life and are looking to learn a trade and better your life. Whatever your motivations are, here are five reasons why you should actually consider going back to school after 50.
1. Higher Pay
As we grow older, we have more responsibilities and these usually require more money. Going back to school and advancing your education will often lead to getting higher pay since it enhances your skill set making it more appealing to prospective employers. If your current employer cannot afford to give you a hike, there are other employers who are more than willing to recognize the value of your skills. What’s even better is that you don’t have to go to actual physical classes, you can study online and get your degree.
2. Change Careers
Careers sometimes hit a dead end, they can be replaced by technology or they may just get boring. If you’re at that point in your life where you feel your career no longer satisfies you, then it may be time to consider changing it. But how do you do that? By going back to school and gaining a different set of skills. For example, if you were a court clerk and now want to become a nurse, you can enroll in an online nursing program and get your nursing degree online. Many universities offer these online programs, an example is the Arizona State University which has a fine online nursing degree that is accepted by a wide variety of institutions.
3. Start Own Business
You may have had a difficult boss all your life and always dreamt of freeing yourself by starting your own business but lack the relevant skill set to do just that. Obtaining a business administration degree can be a great place to start as it will give you a foundation of business principles that will allow you to venture out and scan for available opportunities around. You can also learn a skill and then start a business based on that skill. For example, if you get your nursing degree, you can start your own nursing home and employ other nurses too.
4. Gain a Competitive Advantage in the Job Market
The job market is a highly competitive place and technology keeps changing daily. To retain your competitive edge, you have to be updated with the latest trends in your field or else you may be replaced by younger and more skilled competitors. To avoid this, going back to school will get your mind refreshed and updated making you irreplaceable.
5. Chance to Work Again
You may have gone into family life early and dedicated all your life to taking care of the family’s needs. Probably your children are now grown and you’ve been left with a void and are looking for something to do. Going back to school can help you gain relevant skills that will make it easy for you to secure employment.
When you’re over 50, going back to school can be quite challenging especially when you have personal and professional responsibilities.However, it can be an exciting and eye-opening undertaking, so if you’re willing to do it, you go for it!
