<p>I am 26. I am married and have a daughter who is almost one (so I think that qualifies me to post in the Parenting forum? :) ). </p>
<p>I work as a System Engineer for a Fortune 500 company and make a decent salary at $75k/yr and have no college education. I self-taught most of my computer skills and have been fortunate enough to transition it into career the last 8 or so years. </p>
<p>I am considering going back to school now. I can pay out of pocket for a degree so cost isn't the issue- and I would clearly have to go part time. In my state (Tennessee), you can take the entire first two years of classes at a community college at a much cheaper $/credit hr rate. And it can be done online. After 2 years, I would transfer to one of the state schools here and then I could enroll as a part time student and just flex my hours at work. </p>
<p>I am going back and forth about the value a degree would have. My wife holds a Master's degree so education is important to us. It's just- I don't have any. At this point would it be worth it for me? I have a great career. I have experience. I make a pretty decent salary. But I am also not satisfied.</p>
<p>I think the reasons I would like to go back to school are the following:</p>
<p>1) Set an example for my daughter
2) Career change. I am 26 and not happy with my career. I don't like working in IT at all. But I have nothing other than my experience in IT to fall back on.
3) I can afford to pay out of pocket. </p>
<p>I was thinking about getting a degree in Mechanical Engineering or Physics. I love physics, I enjoyed it back in HS. But I don't know how marketable a Physics degree would be. </p>
<p>I suppose I am just torn. At this point in my life where I am relatively successful without a degree- would it be worth going and getting one?</p>
<p>Perhaps you can start part time at the CC to take the introductory level math, physics, statics / solid mechanics, thermodynamics, etc. courses to see if continued study in mechanical engineering or physics is something like more than your current work.</p>
<p>Physics majors often end up working in computers or finance; actual physics work typically depends on getting a PhD in physics.</p>
<p>Another option, if you think you might like designing computers and software over managing computers and software is to look in the CS direction. You have both self-education and classroom education options here.</p>
<p>You are still early in the game at 26 and may find that certain doors are closed to you in future years without a bachelor’s. It is a gatekeeping device for many jobs. I have worked with students who, like you, did not go to college until they were older than the traditional age. If you make the decision to go for it, know that older students are generally pretty successful and focused compared to their traditional-aged peers, because they know why they are in school and what the alternatives are like. It also sounds as if you can see the limitations of your current work and can foresee a time when you’ll want something else. A bachelor’s can only help. It becomes more difficult to juggle family, work and school as you get older so I would recommend starting soon if you want to do it.</p>
<p>You have a lot of advantages. You can afford to pay for your education. You will be a serious student, and you likely know the value of collaboration. However, you might miss a bit of that collaboration be doing online only for the first two years.</p>
<p>You never know what life will bring: having the flexibility and credibility from a degree can really help later on in life, believe me. I say, go for it, definitely, especially if you are not happy and already feeling limited without a degree.</p>
<p>I would recommend getting some courses under your belt part-time but then taking a leave or even leaving your job to finish full-time at some point. Will your employer support you going to school, financially and in terms of time off when needed?</p>
<p>^“bro”? Why – because the OP mentioned a wife?</p>
<p>I never assume. If OP identifies as female, Smith has a great Ada Comstock program for women who are older than the typical college aged individual. You owe it to yourself to get the best education possible.</p>
<p>Classof2015, it’s weird that you’d jump to that. Just weird. “Bro” does not dictate whether the subject is a male or a female. It’s a just a word you call someone.</p>
<p>I’d go for it… and see no negatives at all as long as you manage your time well to still be a parent, spouse, and employee (all do-able, esp with part time). If you were to change your mind part-way through you’re only “out” some money. You’re not boggled in loans.</p>
<p>I think this is key. There is far more to life than money. Personal satisfaction is necessary for long-term happiness, IMO. Go to school part time and see if you like it and see if it brings you some of the satisfaction that you’ve been looking for. </p>
<p>Thanks for all of the replies, folks. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I think I really just needed a pep talk from folks other than my wife, who naturally would be supportive of whatever I decided to do. My wife’s only concern is that I would eventually be taking a step back in pay if I changed career fields- which is true. But she also understands that money isn’t necessarily the only motivating factor in pursuing employment in a field you enjoy. She holds a Master’s degree and is a middle school teacher- so she understands that more than anyone lol. </p>
<p>I agree- money isn’t everything. I make decent money now but find no satisfaction in my career. I have tried changing positions (3 different companies in the last 3 years) both from small business to large enterprise roles- and I just do not like supporting IT infrastructure. It was a great field to get into without formal education but- I think if I was to do this for the next 40 years, I would have major regrets. </p>
<p>You guys have given me some things to think about and some great replies. Thank you so much. I will head to different subforum for specific degree questions. </p>
<p>There are an increasing number of schools that offer life experience credit, or assessment/competency based (e.g., UW Madison) credit. You may be closer to that degree than you think.</p>
<p>In my field (software engineering), without a degree you have no shot of your resume getting looked at unless you have a very strong advocate already on the inside. I think that is true of most jobs now.</p>
<p>Does your Fortune-500 employer offer tuition reimbursement? Perhaps you can get them to pick up some of the tab.</p>
<p>
An entry-level job with a BS in mechanical engineering field would probably pay in the $60 range, which is not a huge step back.</p>
<p>What are the job prospects like in your area for the degrees you are interested in? Or are you willing to move?</p>
<p>You may initially take a “step back,” but over time your earnings may actually increase above where you are now. Also, you may find yourself stymied without a degree. Let’s say that you stayed a system engineer now at your job. You may find it difficult to move to another company, because other companies may require someone in an equivalent position to have a bachelor’s degree. You will find it difficult to move into management because most of those positions will also require at least a BA. And you may even find yourself pushed out of your workplace. My mother has that issue; she has no degree but a diploma and license to practice as an LPN, and she was recently let go by her job - along with three other LPNs on her floor - because new management wants to replace them all with RNs, preferably with bachelor’s degrees.</p>
<p>You’re still young (I’m actually older than you, lol!). My husband just turned 28 and he’s back in school pursuing his BA in math after having left college at age 23 to join the military. I have students in some of my classes (I’m a TA) who are older than you - sometimes many years older than you. My brother (a year younger than you) is also returning to school part-time while he works; he chose not to go to college out of HS and works a good job, but like you wants the BA for advancement. He’s doing business administration.</p>
<p>DO IT. There are so many people who make it happen and these days, it’s a lot easier than it used to be. There are places where you can do the entire degree online, like Penn State’s World Campus. And if you have flex arrangements at work that makes it even easier.</p>