Should I go back to school?

Question

I am 31 and currently on maternity leave. I am due to return to work in November. I like my job but have always wanted to be an accountant. Am I too old to start a degree course? How long would the course take?

Answer 1

You are never to old to go back to school. I went to school full-time at 28 to get a BS in Computer Science. I don't regret it.

But since you just had a baby you need to really think about how you will be able to do it. Do you have a great supportive husband or family? Remember that once you get out of class you still have lots of homework, projects, studying and reading to do. Unlike most jobs, were once you go home you get to leave work at work. Just make sure you understand what it will take for you to be able to do it, depending on your life situation.

See a counselor at the school you would like to attend.
Then sit down and plan out how much it would cost you to go back to school. Take into account the money you will lose by being in school full time, if you need to pay for your and the baby's own insurance, how much school will cost, any scholarships you might get, etc (if you want to be an accountant this should be right up your alley :-))

Do you have an Bachelors degree in something else already?
Do you have any college credits?
If not then it will take 4+ years (in the US) going full time, if you don't run into any snags, like needing a class that the school only offers every 2 years. Then after you graduate, I think you need to take the CPA test, (anyone correct me if I am wrong) which will require lots of studying. I know some fairly smart people that took a couple of times to pass it.

You could always take one night class and see how it goes. That way you can really make sure you want to be an accountant. It takes much longer to go part time, but the sooner you start it the sooner you will be finished.
Good Luck

Answer 2

You are never to old to go back to college. It would only take you 3 years to achieve your degree and by that time you will be say 34. When you think about it we have to work until we are 65 now, so you could spend the next 30years working in a job that you enjoy and feeling proud because you set out to make your dream reality, that's better than working in a job you hate and don't enjoy. You don't want to pass up the opportunity to do something you really want as you may end up regretting not taking the chance many years from now. Go follow your dreams and good luck : )

Answer 3

I was 29 when i went back to school. I am so glad i did. I was more mature and ready to learn. I went into education and became a preschool teacher. Now i have a job i love to get up in the morning for. I no longer dread waking up to a mundane office job stuck in a cubicle all day with only my desk and a computer to work with. Now everyday is different, and to see the sweet faces of my students learn something new is so meaningful. Today college students are not just 18 or 19 they are all ages. If you really want to go back to college i encourage you to do it. It will open so many doors for you. What do you have to lose. Nothing but you have everything to gain. I wish you luck.

Answer 4

i am 40 this month. I returned to school last January after my husband became disabled to increase my earning power. I work, go to school take care of the kids and I am ready to do it all over again when I finish the courses I am taking now.
Look into small trade universities before jumping off into a large university for accounting.. there are several good ones including the one I tried first that will have you in accounting in a year or less.. then you can go complete your 2-4 year degree if you wish, while you earn more!!
Bottom line.. GO FOR It!!!!!

Answer 5

Well I can sit here and tell you that you should go back to school, its always good, but I'm not. I think that one school isn't for everyone. For most people that wait so long to go back its very hard. Even if you have a family its hard to make time to study and do you family duties. If you really think about going back I would suggest the on line courses. They have courses for almost everything and I know they have if for accounting. Good Luck in what ever you do!

Answer 6

You're never too old to start following your passions, though I can't imagine anyone's true passion being accounting, but maybe that's just me. A 43 year old lady I know, after reading the book "Emotional Resilience" by David Viscott, MD, quit her crap job and is retuning to school on a five year plan towards becoming a traveling nurse. At 34, I myself am planning to become an Outward Bound instructor, starting from the very bottom as an intern next season.

Answer 7

I am 34 and I went back to school last year. It is a lot of hard work, but I am loving every minute of it. There are a lot of people there older than me, so if we can do it, you can too. You will have to talk to someone at the school you want to go to about how long it will take to get your degree, but no matter how long it is it will be worth it in the end.

Answer 8

I'm returning to college on Monday and am same age, so I say go for it girl!!

Depending on current level of qualifications you may be able to get on to a shorter course that would give you a similar qualification to a degree but take less time and would get you into the job you want sooner. Check out your local college/uni website for details and all the best!

Answer 9

My husband's 34 and has just completed a degree with the Open University. Visit http://www.open.ac.uk/ for details of their courses. This means you can study from home, while you're working or looking after baby. It does take longer this way, but means you don't have to give up work.

Answer 10

The UK degree course is 3 years but you will hten need to enter an accounting firm as a junoir and hope they will pay for your accountancy exams - to become fully qualified you are looking at a total of about 5-yrs.