I spent a good part of my life working a job I did not enjoy. I did enjoy it when I was hired, but the duty I did was phased out to contractors. By that time, I had 20 years in and needed 30 to retire, so I did another 10 years and stuck it out. After I retired, I stayed home and finished raising my children for another 12 years.
Off and on since high school, I have taken college classes in the areas I enjoyed, as well as voc-tech programs. I am now to the point I have my own part time small business. I have been wanting to get a degree in the same area of study as my business. Although I have several voc-tech certificates in this area, many authorities prefer the 4 year college degree.
On a lark, I called my old college and had an academic advisor look over my transcript. I told her what I wanted, and she did some checking. When she got back to me, she told me I only lack 12 classes of a degree in my dream job. So, I then thought I would try to see if I qualify for financial aid, since right now we are putting 2 children through college. I just got an email, and I do indeed qualify for financial aid, mainly in part due to my age and the fact I am putting 2 other household members through college. I have also been doing some research and have found out I may also qualify for other grants and loans as I am over 55.
My point is, you are never to old to go back to school. The remaining classes that I need can all be taken online. I will be starting this fall. Once I get my degree, I can further expand my business and take it out of my home and into the school setting. The school requires I have a bachelors degree in that field in order to teach in the district. They will not recognize an associates degree or voc-tech certifications, even though what I will be teaching for them is a voc-tech program.
If you are interested in going back to school, apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid ), it is free to apply. Check online for the different schools and programs you are interested in. FAFSA will help you find more than just tuition money for college, it also covers financial aid for other programs as well that are in the voc-tech setting, such as EMT and paramedic (which I will be teaching), welding, CPA and more. Had I known 5 years ago, that I could qualify, I would have applied at that time.
No, I will not be "too old" to do this job when I graduate. In fact, many fire and EMS personnel spend the last 10-15 years of their career teaching, as they have the experience under their belt to make their teaching more effective.
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You will do well in any job you take. I wish you the best.
Way to go! You're a terrific inspiration (even if you don't know it) to not only your kids but all the people in your life who tell themselves they're too old (to do any number of things).
Best of all? I love the fact you're a woman and not selling yourself short. Takes a fair amount of courage to do something like this and I hope you pat yourself on the back. A lot.
My daughter's job of 15 years with a commercial insurance company was downsized and she was terminated from her job, in the meantime, her family lost their home in a horrific house fire with a total loss of all of their belongings. She and her husband and daughter worked through the ordeal of rebuilding their lives, buying a home, furnishing it and beginning a new life.
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