Too old to go back to uni?

mancboy1

Hi guys,

I'm 28 thinking of going back to university to do a degree. I'm I too old & will stand a chance in job market competing as 32yr old fresh graduate?

I want to quit my sales job and learn new skills. Anyone done this, did u regret doing so?

Thanks

duchy

Depends on the degree -on my course the age range is 18 to 50s

GothicStirling

I went to university at 27, best thing I ever did. I went to a Scottish university which was 4 years, and graduated when I was 31. I now work for English Heritage.

When I was at university I was one of the younger mature students, there where people right up to 40-50 year olds there retraining (one friend walked straight into a teaching job, and another who was an ex-policeman is now a Journalist at The Scotsman.)

Do you have a family? Mortgage? Or (like me) no ties?

mancboy1

It's IT related, just worried if employers do take on "mature graduates" or it's best to start looking into unpaid/voluntary work in the sector to gain some experience

jacques_chirac

At 28 you won't be the eldest on any course. Go for it!

Person_one

Absolutely not too old! I'm 29 and I graduate for the second time later this year, there are people on my course (nursing) of every age from twenties to fifties.

Funding becomes more difficult if you've been to uni before though. When you say 'back' to uni, what have you done before? Also, what are you thinking of studying and what do you want to do afterwards?

she_who_can_not_cook

I was fourty when I started my degree I did it with the o u great experience and I could keep my full time job. Go for it.

mancboy1

GothicStirling wrote: »

I went to university at 27, best thing I ever did. I went to a Scottish university which was 4 years, and graduated when I was 31. I now work for English Heritage.

When I was at university I was one of the younger mature students, there where people right up to 40-50 year olds there retraining (one friend walked straight into a teaching job, and another who was an ex-policeman is now a Journalist at The Scotsman.)

Do you have a family? Mortgage? Or (like me) no ties?

Thanks that's really encouraging. No kids or mortgage yet but my OH supports the decision

DigForVictory

Go for it! If for no other reason than you get to study a subject that interests you for three whole years. Longer if you can & sandwich better still, but you are only too old to learn if you *won't*.

You may not remember as easily or quickly, but you'll loose less of Freshers Week in a wow-booze! state & should have the maturity to learn & apply techniques like mnemonics, like mind mapping, like essay planning, like exam techniques - there's plenty of help if you're struggling (especially if you ask early! Leaving it til the last year always a bad idea...)

Also you know there's a real world out there & that here in MSE we're big on budgets - these two things will give you a shocking leg up! Best of luck, have a wonderful time & enjoy every day of it!

sniggings

mancboy1 wrote: »

It's IT related, just worried if employers do take on "mature graduates" or it's best to start looking into unpaid/voluntary work in the sector to gain some experience

they will take you on if you are good at the work. 31 is not even old.

some people go on these courses and think the course alone will get them a job, it won't you have to be the type of person they want, with the skills they need.

My advice will be to have a clear path set out, what type of job will this course allow you to do? is there demand for it? will the pay be what you think it will be?

Don't just do a course and hope for the best, know what it will lead it.

pinkduvetdiva

You are never too old - I graduated last July at the age of 35. Good luck!