Originally Posted By utahjosh So here's my story. I'm 36. I earned a bachelors degree back in 2000. Like many, I find myself needing a new career path, and I'm thinking about getting a masters degree in School Counseling. Any tips for going back to school after 12 years away from a classroom? I'm pretty tech savvy and I'd be comfortable to do some classes online, too. I'm basically just looking for some encouragement - this is kind of scary!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I don't have any real advice, but good luck! Several of my friends have taken classes online, and have heard mixed reviews. I think they expected that they would somehow be easier online, but ended up being more difficult, since you basically have to teach yourself most of the material. But if you're good at keeping on top of things all the time, it seems like a pretty straightforward way to do it. Also, make sure that, if you do the online route, you're taking classes from a reputable school. There are a lot of diploma mills out there that will give you a piece of paper, but it won't really be worth anything. Most traditional colleges and universities now offer a wide variety of classes and degrees online (some use a combination of online and live classes), so there are a lot of possibilities. And since you likely won't need to be geographically close to the school, you have a ton of options (which can be better or worse, depending on where you are in the process and how everwhelmed you feel)!
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I think the most important thing would be to find out how good (or bad) the market is for people that have that education. I mean, is that specific degree worth it, money and time-wise? I totally think you could do it, Josh. I think people who have more life experience who have the time to really concentrate on their education and do well. I'd offer my help since I went to school forever, but I know zip about School Counseling. I think that as an older student you would also be more willing to look for help (which usually is available) than a younger student. I personally would find it hard to stay motivated by online classes, but that's me.
Originally Posted By gardenrooms Hey, utahjosh, you'll do fine. Many of the younger students will not take the courses as seriously as you (and may be doing a bit more partying as well). Not to say you are not young. I was 51 when I went back to school and got my teaching credential (before education fell apart). I had to get course descriptions from the 60's to prove the courses on my transcript met requirements as Cal had changed many of the course numbers since my day. I agree to check employment prospects and also look into your school's track records for placement of their graduates. You might want to talk to human resource people in some of the school districts in your area. I know my district had to cut back on counseling hours due to $14 million in budget cuts for next year alone. If your area has education job fairs, that is a good place to make contact - even school districts that have laid off many people are still apparently attending those to fill some of the more difficult positions (like Special Ed) and most are happy to talk to people or tell them who they can talk to if they can't answer your questions. Good luck.
Originally Posted By MissCandice Oh man! I'd love to go back to school. As far as online stuff goes, from what friends and family tell me, be prepared for a lot of bugs or software issues. Any time they had a problem it was resolved but it took time so if they were required to turn something in at a specific time and that's when issues arose they missed the deadline. I'd say if you take online classes to turn in your assignments as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last moment. I think you would have no problem going back to school. I don't know you but you seem intelligent enough from your posts here on LP.
Originally Posted By Princessjenn5795 I am 30 and back in school studying to be a nurse. I think it is better this time around, because I appreciate much more than I did when I was 18 and felt I had to be there. I will say you should start out slowly, to figure out how classes will fit into your schedule. I started with one online class my first quarter back, and am now up to 3 on-campus classes per quarter. I took as many online classes as I could (I am now taking care of all of my lab science classes so I have to be on campus) and I really liked them, but you have to be really, really self-disciplined to do well in them, because it is so easy to get distracted when you are at home. I second Happy Haunt...go for it!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Beware of for-profit schools like the University of Phoenix! They cost a fortune and the degrees are of questionable value in the marketplace.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 Good luck to you! Other than a few general courses at my local community college many moons ago I never really went to college. I'm seriously thinking about it now... I'm 41.
Originally Posted By fkurucz My advice: Ask the local school districts which College they prefer for recruiting.
Originally Posted By Crunchfunkel Good for you for going back to school. I'm doing that, too. Taught in California and Texas for 17 years and with the sad state of education, I'm back in school for speech pathology. Taking one class online will give you an idea of what to expect. Just know that you might start with a very difficult class (that's what I'm seeing with my neuroanatomy class this summer), so don't throw in the towel. In some states, like Texas, most elementary, middle and high schools have at least one counselor. My elementary school of 700 students has two counselors. Not sure what state you're in, but check online to see what your local schools have. Check their salary schedules, too, to see if that's what you are expecting. None of my California school districts had counselors except the high schools, but that can change. Good luck to you!
