college at 26?

Question

i feel so lost i have been out of high school for almost 3 years i've done a year of city year and worked 2 years i am thinking about going to college but feel that i am too old to be starting college i sould be in my 3 or 4 year will it be weird because of my age will it be differant because of my age i also have felony for robbery and feel a degree would be a waste of time because i will be unable to get a good job with felony please help i feel so lost

Answer 1

College at 26 is not too bad, the average age of a community college student is 28 so you would be younger than the average by two years!

I was 48 when I went back to school and have a year to go, so it is not too late, don't be like me and at 30 I thought I was too old so I did'nt. My wife finally said when I was 40 that if I had gone when I was 30, I would have graduated by then.

Finally I decided to only take one class, it was keyboarding 104, and I was very nervous, but I got a 3.9 and haven't looked back! Do it now and have a degree by the time you are 30.

Don't wait like I did. It is not a waste of time because a degree is something that nobody can take away from you.

Answer 2

I have two aunts who went back to college after they raised their children. They were both in their 50's and got their masters degrees! I met and married the wrong guy, and quit college. Now, at 34, I am back in school pursuing my teaching degree. I thought like you did at first, that it would be weird because I am not the same age as "traditional" college students. But I found out that while the majority of students may be 19-24, there are MANY students who are not! Particularly if you attend classes at night. I find most of these classes are filled with people who work during the day, have families to take care of, and tend to be a lot more serious about their education than the students you see in the day time classes. It's never too late to improve your life. By the time you get your degree, you'll be such a changed person, and have so much more confidence, I'm sure someone will give you a job regardless of your past. You can always tell a potential employer that you made a few mistakes when you were younger, but you turned your life around, got a college degree and chose a different direction in life. You would be surprised how many people would be willing to give you chance. Good luck, and God bless.

Answer 3

Robert, you should go back to school if that's what you feel like doing. Being 26 isn't such a biggie. I knew some men taking night classes with me and they were in their 40's and 50's possibly even 60's. Let people think whatever they want, you would be going to get an education, not to socialize with them. As for the felony, well I don't know the laws of your state, or country for that matter, but as far as I know, good companies do not discriminate against people that have committed crimes. Also, the fact that you want to go back to school after everything that has happened is something to be so proud of cuz it shows your maturity. And one other thing, going back to school isn't a small thing, I suggest you really make yourself aware of what will be required of you when you go back. Good luck man!!!

Answer 4

You really need to research careers that will hire people with criminal backgrounds. It would be very bad for you to go to college and borrow a bunch of money, only to find that you can't get work because of your criminal conviction. This being said, YOU ARE NOT TOO OLD. I know long-haul truck drivers are in demand right now and you can get hired with an old felony conviction.

Here are some jobs that don't require a college degree: (some won't work due to the felony, but I thought I would post them anyway)
10 High-Paying Jobs... No Degree Required

By Laura Morsch, CareerBuilder.com writer

Higher education and higher income often go hand in hand. But a college diploma certainly isn't the only ticket to the gravy train -- just ask Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen. These two college dropouts are now among the wealthiest people in the United States, with an estimated combined net worth of $72 billion.

They have plenty of company. Five of the six richest self-made billionaires on Forbes magazine's list of wealthiest people in the nation didn't finish college.

Exceptional performers or entrepreneurs in nearly any industry can command enormous salaries. The following jobs, however, consistently boast high pay, with nationwide average salaries far above the norm -- and no degree is required.

1. Air Traffic Controller -- $105,820
The job: Organizing and controlling the flow of airplanes into and out of an airport.

How to get it: You may not need a college degree, but getting hired as an air traffic controller isn't easy. Candidates need four years of college and/or three years of work experience before undergoing pre-employment testing. Once they make the cut, they must complete the FAA Academy and an additional training program before starting work.

2. Real Estate Broker -- $76,930
The job: Helping clients sell their residential property.

How to get it: To obtain a broker's license, candidates need 60 to 90 hours of formal classroom training, and one to three years of real estate sales experience.

3. Transportation Manager -- $75,130
The job: Working out the logistics for transportation firms, including mapping out the best routes and estimating demand.

How to get it: Experience driving a truck or working in transportation sales is the most common route to this occupation. Just over half of transportation managers have some college experience, but less than one-quarter completed a bachelor's degree.

4. Non-Retail Sales Supervisor -- $73,670
The job: Hiring, training, supervising and scheduling the work of sales workers, including cashiers and customer service representatives.

How to get it: Many supervisors start out on the sales floor and work their way up the organization. Good conversational skills, problem-solving ability and computer literacy are crucial.

5. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator -- $66,900
The job: Running the machinery at nuclear reactors.

How to get it: Operating a nuclear power reactor requires extensive training by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which includes a mix of classroom work and on-the-job instruction To obtain a license, candidates must pass an annual practical exam and may be subjected to drug screenings.

6. Gaming Manager -- $65,920
The job: Creating game policies and managing the day-to-day responsibilities at a casino.

How to get it: Work experience is the primary requirement. Many gaming managers start out as dealers or other casino floor workers.

7. Power Distributor -- $59,510
The job: Controlling the flow of electricity through lines to industrial plants or substations.

How to get it: A high school diploma is usually required, and candidates undergo extensive on-the-job training and classroom instruction.

8. Detective -- $58,750
The job: Gathering facts and evidence to help solve crimes.

How to get it: Detectives usually begin as police officers and get promoted to detective after a probationary period that ranges from six months to three years.

9. Elevator Repairer -- $58,500
The job: Installing, repairing and maintaining elevators and escalators.

How to get it: Most new repairers apply through the local chapter of the International Union of Elevator Constructors. To qualify for an apprenticeship, candidates must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, pass an aptitude test and be in good physical shape.

10. Ship Engineer -- $57,290
The job: Operating and maintaining machinery on a ship, including propulsion engines, generators and pumps.

How to get it: Most water transportation occupations require a license from the U.S. Coast Guard. Applicants must accumulate a certain number of hours at sea and pass a written exam, physical exam, drug screening and National Driver Register Check to be considered.