Education Options for Career Changers
Many "non-traditional" (that is, older) adults are returning to campuses across the country — some to retool for another career, others simply to learn and to stay engaged. The number of adult students on college campuses is growing. Nearly 6.5 million adult students are enrolled for credit in colleges, universities and trade schools.
The challenges and benefits of being older
If you're considering serious studies — to get a degree or perhaps launch a new career — experts advise careful planning. To make the most of your opportunities, they recommend that you:
- Expect to make substantial adjustments to your schedule and your budget.
- Talk with your spouse and kids to make sure they are on board with you returning to school. It will involve some sacrifices for the family.
- Prepare for a surprise: The workload will likely be far heavier than you might remember from your college years.
The bottom line: Full-time adult students should treat college like a job. That may mean letting housework slide and heading to campus every day to study at the library. When you're at home, designate a space in the house to study.
The new realities of education
If you haven't been to college in a while, you'll find that education has changed right in step with the employment world:
Teamwork and collaboration. Students are now expected to participate in class and work on group projects. Their classmates may decide to meet in the late evening for this outside collaboration.
More use of technology. Technology skills also are a must. Entrance tests are taken online. Professors expect assignments to be turned in electronically. And email is the mode of communication. If you're not up to speed, ask your advisor about a computer refresher course before diving into your first class.
Paying for classes
Returning to school after being in the workforce can be daunting. And it may take some planning to swing it financially. Fortunately, there are ways to manage the cost.
Go part-time. It may be easier to attend classes only part-time and maintain an income.
Ask about tuition reimbursement. Look first for potential employer tuition assistance or scholarships. If you're employed, check with your human resources office to see if there is a tuition-assistance program that will pay for all or part of your college expenses.
Look for scholarships. More and more scholarships are open to adult and part-time students.
Ask about financial aid. When working with a college financial aid office, ask to see a staff member who works with adult students. Many schools set aside special scholarship funds for nontraditional students. Some schools also offer extended payment plans.
Take the next step...
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