Going back to Uni at 40!

Red0desert

Jaybee_16 said:

Yes, it was a slog at times, social life disappears as friends give up asking if you are going out because you're studying but the feeling of achievement at the end was something I'd not felt before.

Thank you, that is a very inspirational story. I'm glad you stuck with it and succeeded in the end. 

cr1mson said:

I did a MSc part time at 45 and whilst I have ended up doing nothing directly related it has opened a lot of doors. I was working part time at the time aswell. Fortunately employer was flexible and didn't care when work was done just that it was so was able to fit it around studying easily!

There were quite a few other mature students and we did gravitate to each other but I learned a lot from those who were doing it at a more traditional age.

Great to hear you made it and yes both the lecturers and the other students are very positive. For at least 2, this is their second Master's. 

Gavin83 said:

If you don't mind me asking (but it is relevant to the discussion!) how old are you?

How do you find the other students treat you with you being a lot older? Do you find integrating difficult?

Early 40's, male. Two other students expressed surprise someone like myself would be doing this, due to my professional experience, which has made me self-conscious. (Obviously the uni wouldn't dare, as they're a business.) I'm worried I come off as somewhat intimidating, especially when it comes to group work. There are many international students and one of them is fascinated with me, which I find just a little uncomfortable lol. It is a mix. 

MrsStepford

I went to uni as a mature student in my 30s. We don't have children, and shared the household chores, but even so, it was difficult to do DIY, cleaning, cooking, walking the dog, seeing our parents, dealing with two allotments and studying. 

I had to bite my tongue, when younger students would ask me how to spell 'toilet' or 'hamstring '. I managed to avoid the relationship advice questions from angsty students though. 

Marcon

Red0desert said:

Early 40's, male. Two other students expressed surprise someone like myself would be doing this, due to my professional experience, which has made me self-conscious. (Obviously the uni wouldn't dare, as they're a business.) I'm worried I come off as somewhat intimidating, especially when it comes to group work. There are many international students and one of them is fascinated with me, which I find just a little uncomfortable lol. It is a mix. 

Based entirely on what you've written, you come over as very inward looking and all your comments are about your feelings. Maybe spending less time obsessing (or possibly imagining) how others on the course see you, and just focusing on what the lecturers are saying, would get you a better result in every sense of the word?

Whether looking at your own behaviour might be fruitful is another matter, of course. 

Red0desert

Marcon said:

Based entirely on what you've written, you come over as very inward looking and all your comments are about your feelings. Maybe spending less time obsessing (or possibly imagining) how others on the course see you, and just focusing on what the lecturers are saying, would get you a better result in every sense of the word?

I take the degree very seriously, and a major component to performing successfully is the study environment especially as group work is essential to our assignments. It rubs off on me when others do not demonstrate the same seriousness (such as a third of students bumbling through the door after class has already been in session for 15 minutes).

That said, the majority of my time has already been in the library trying to keep up with all the reading.

Adults have feelings too you know.. 🙂👍

Simon11

Based on my professional experience along with personal experience within my industry, I don't really see much point in doing Masters and don't understand why people put themselves through several years of hard work.  I have colleagues with a masters doing the same role (or less) and I will expect are actually getting paid less (as they lack experience/ negotiation skills).

Appears most people do it because a) there is a set purpose (some roles do require it), b) they don't know what to do, c) don't wish to work or d) companies offer it as 'professional development' or e) do it for the fun of it

Only real reason for doing it is for the personal enjoyment and challenge, however even then I think there are loads of other opportunities where you can gain the same skills and experience outside of the workplace such as supporting a volunteer organisation! The benefit is that you actually deliver something that makes a difference at no cost and build long-term relationships.

However, looking at your primary objective, it is to increase employability. However, it doesn't appear that you have done much thinking, haven't got an idea where you are heading and haven't set out a strategy to achieve your ambitions? 

If you are looking to increase your salary and job prospects, you would be far better to spend your time networking using a site like Linkedin, understand what opportunities are out there and trying to obtain experience within the sector. That will make a far bigger difference than a Masters and will come at little to no cost plus within a shorter timescale. 

Doing a Master's is not a golden ticket into a higher paid job.

Red0desert

Simon11 said:

Doing a Master's is not a golden ticket into a higher paid job.

Thanks Simon11. These are all excellent points for myself or anyone considering a Master's degree, and they are worth answering.

From reading your post, it is suggestive you are not a degree holder, or at least are not too interested in talking about your education and would promote work instead. This is admittedly an assumption, as your post does not explore the advantages of a degree or your experience of earning one, if you have one.

You make good points about students running to study degrees because it is an easy chance to avoid thinking about work for a while, or believing it is a linear life route. That is probably very common sadly, due to the availability of cheap loans, and those people have a high dropout rate, with few employment prospects.

In my professional experience, I have remained at the relative bottom of the professional ladder. If a pay rise was in need, it meant another job. So, it's meant going through a lot of jobs, particularly with the house price boom over the last 10 years. There's no jobs for life anymore, everything is uncertain.

This may or may not be surprising to hear, but networking in this state is doomed. Who wants to network with a customer service rep, security guard or admin clerk - particularly one who's moved around? Your chances on Linkedin or any other site, where recruiters are bombarded hourly with CVs, are moribund. This is the real world.

It is interesting to hear that the same amount of territory across academic study could just as easily be found in volunteering work. My best response would be if you could direct the same question to our accomplished (and very well paid) academics. They will think you are bonkers.

There's also the amazing challenge of studying. A generic Bachelor's these days can be completed by any cretin who wants to dose off for a while, but a Master's is most definitely not. I'm bored in my work, being underchallenged, the constant lack of opportunity, that alone is motivation enough.

No, I don't have an exact idea of how my graduate opportunities will evolve let alone what I'd like them to be. But it's funny how the more fortunate will scorn a degree as a golden ticket, and the less so will see it as an opportunity. Sometimes when you encounter resistance, it means you are doing the right thing.

I hope this was a fair reply!  

Emmia

Simon11 said:

Only real reason for doing it is for the personal enjoyment and challenge, however even then I think there are loads of other opportunities where you can gain the same skills and experience outside of the workplace such as supporting a volunteer organisation! The benefit is that you actually deliver something that makes a difference at no cost and build long-term relationships.

Unfortunately whilst worthy, and may develop skills... volunteering does not give you a qualification (aka a bit of paper) which you can list in that section of your CV. 

Both routes are worthwhile, but I have doubts that volunteering is a direct alternative to an MA/MSc. 

Yazmina

Red0desert said:

To be frank I don't have a clear goal - I do have ideas, but they are admittedly hazy. I'd like a more senior role in my current industry, which isn't very glamorous, or a graduate opportunity in a new one. My interests are working with data and/or digital media. My industry roles have dealt with this area but only minimally. 

Could you let us know what you're studying and what your current industry is, please? 

ToonPatriot

Why don't you just work full time and study part-time like everyone else in your situation? Open Uni is great for that. For Masters I think lots of unis accommodate it. 
I'm working full time and doing a masters and I can tell you that the reading does not require you to cancel your life. 

Simon11

Red0desert said:

Thanks Simon11. These are all excellent points for myself or anyone considering a Master's degree, and they are worth answering.

From reading your post, it is suggestive you are not a degree holder, or at least are not too interested in talking about your education and would promote work instead. This is admittedly an assumption, as your post does not explore the advantages of a degree or your experience of earning one, if you have one.

You make good points about students running to study degrees because it is an easy chance to avoid thinking about work for a while, or believing it is a linear life route. That is probably very common sadly, due to the availability of cheap loans, and those people have a high dropout rate, with few employment prospects.

In my professional experience, I have remained at the relative bottom of the professional ladder. If a pay rise was in need, it meant another job. So, it's meant going through a lot of jobs, particularly with the house price boom over the last 10 years. There's no jobs for life anymore, everything is uncertain.

This may or may not be surprising to hear, but networking in this state is doomed. Who wants to network with a customer service rep, security guard or admin clerk - particularly one who's moved around? Your chances on Linkedin or any other site, where recruiters are bombarded hourly with CVs, are moribund. This is the real world.

It is interesting to hear that the same amount of territory across academic study could just as easily be found in volunteering work. My best response would be if you could direct the same question to our accomplished (and very well paid) academics. They will think you are bonkers.

There's also the amazing challenge of studying. A generic Bachelor's these days can be completed by any cretin who wants to dose off for a while, but a Master's is most definitely not. I'm bored in my work, being underchallenged, the constant lack of opportunity, that alone is motivation enough.

No, I don't have an exact idea of how my graduate opportunities will evolve let alone what I'd like them to be. But it's funny how the more fortunate will scorn a degree as a golden ticket, and the less so will see it as an opportunity. Sometimes when you encounter resistance, it means you are doing the right thing.

I hope this was a fair reply!  

I am a degree holder and I would have to say it is needed for any decent type job. My degree was rather pointless but what set it apart was that they ran a fantastic sandwich course where you spent a year out in the industry gaining work experience while getting paid. Mid-way through my final year, I had already secured a job with another firm and started straight after my exams.

I don't understand why you say networking is doomed. Suggest you open your eyes and once you have decided on a career or industry to target, you will find quite a few opportunities to network, learn more about the career path and how to get there. Networking could just be a 1-1 over the phone/ Linkedin, going to a industry learning type event or having a coffee/ drink with someone.

In my industry, we are encouraged to get out and network. The people we talk to could just be a low-level manager, however later down your career they may well end up being a Director. Contacts really do help.