Is 30 too old to start again?

never too old to start again. good luck!

It’s never too late to do what you love.

I come from a family of late bloomers. I got my Computer Science degree after returning to school at age 26. I have a brother who dropped out of the ninth grade; eventually got a GRE; and then went back to college and got a Physics degree. My father got his bachelor’s degree when he was 44.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Don’t hurry. You may set yourself up for failure if you take classes initially that are too hard. Start slow, finished inspired. Also, consider going to a junior college first. The instructors there actually care about teaching. At universities, many of the lower classes are handled by teaching assistants, and when you reach the level taught by professors, they care about research and publishing.

But don’t let up. All because you took summers off in school previously, doesn’t mean that you have to now. Summers are great time to get more individualized attention from the teachers since the slackers are on the beach.

Focus on your passions. Don’t go into graphic design because it sounds cool and has a good salary. Go into graphic design because you are a very visual person and love the process of graphic design, whether it’s with a pencil and paper or a computer. Ask yourself: what is it that I really like to do? You’d be surprised at what the right answer might be. It could be auto mechanics, plumbing or nursing. A passionate person can make a good salary doing most anything.

One last amusing anecdote. My brother the physicist hated math in school. Thought it was stupid. After he returned to junior college, he took all the sociology, psychology and philosophy classes they had to offer. In the last philosophy class he took, the professor mentioned that Descartes was also a mathematician and that many philosophers were. So my brother got his girl friend to teach him algebra. He really struggled until one day the light went on. Boom. He soon devoured all the math he could get his hands on: Trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, everything. We can’t shut him up now.

Of course not, but have the sense to be smart about the whole thing.

Quite simply, you can’t make the staple of your life a career in something that you hate. That doesn’t sound like a life worth leading unless you have a remarkably rewarding private life. If you want a change in the status quo, however, you must be prepared to meet that challenge face-to-face with all guns to bear.

You mention that you work for minimum wage and that you have no savings. If you can, before you make such a dramatic shift you should see if you can make any alterations that could earn you extra savings, because it is my strong belief that any person should have at least a few hundred dollars in savings in case of an emergency.

The other reason to look for extra savings is to see if you are really prepared to make change in your life. I don’t know you, of course, but a lot of people I know who are in similar positions never get out of their ruts because they aren’t willing to make all the sacrifices needed to succeed. You’re 26, so hopefully you have the patience and foresight to know how prepared you are to cut back and work hard towards your dream. As always, be realistic. If you have real doubt that you can make it, then do consider whether or not you are emotionally ready for it. Waiting is an option, but you also don’t want to settle into a cycle of waiting.

I suppose it would depend on how frustrated you are with your current life, and how motivated you are to change.

I remember when I was a kid, my mother was a 27 year old mathematics student at a university. She was forced to quit that when my father died and became a beautician. When I was a teenager she started her own beauty parlor, and by the time I was in college she’d changed her life completely by selling her salon and starting a lawn equipment retail business at great financial risk. She was 50 when she started her business, and now she has one of the biggest stores in the city.

I know firsthand how determination and a dream can carry a person to renewal. You have to have a real need. You have to have motivation, and you have to have the smarts to do your research and keep your chin above the water. Most of all, you have to realize that the question “is 30 too old” is a ridiculous question.

On a final note, graphic design is a popular profession for freelance artists. It’s also notoriously competitive to get salaried positions in this field. As such, if you are going to do it, then practice your skill with passion and persistence. Your future will depend on excellence and creativity. You cannot afford to be mediocre in either product or attitude. If a salaried position doesn’t pan out, you must have the skill to make it on your own artwork and marketing.

I’ll let you in on a little artist’s secret. People like to think that the marvelous skills of a great artist comes from his/her passion for the art. This is true, but not in the sense that is popularly believed. Passion is a weak wrist without technique. It’s blind and it’s deaf to the needs of the artist. The true gift of passion to an artist is the passion to continuously, tirelessly practice his or her chosen art. It’s also the reservoir of guts and arrogance that can put you out there into the spotlight, and could possibly save you in a weak market.

Best of luck.

As someone who has gone through higher education, through earning an MBA, I can safely say that anything you do to educate yourself can only improve your position. It is NEVER too late. Too late is after you’re dead and there are no more chances left.

While it’s not a guarantee to get a job immediately post-degree, you absolutely will put yourself in a better position and be happier for it. As an example from the financial end, take a look at this chart that shows the relationship with salary and level of education: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0883617.html

My mom is in a similar situation to you and she’s almost 60 and depressed (not clinically!). Would you really want another three decades of what you’re doing now?

Apply this weekend and good luck!

Good day,

Give Glory to God, You must first find balance, then you must do what you do well not what others do well. You are gifted at something so us that something to go out and subdue your goals mentioned above. You will punish and reward oneself.

Having all that crap is cool beans but, if you live for the money

it will still not be enough their are happy people that society terms as poor and unhappy people who make billions. The kingdom of education and good credit is a great place to leave in but if you don’t educate the heart with Christ what gain is that. Death is always to late to start any task.

Peace

Go for the gold. I went back to school at 32 and it has changed my life. I married at 16, did not finished school, had 2 children and thought I was at a dead in until someone believed in me. I could not afford to quit work, so I took classes in morning before work, at lunch and at night. It took me 6 years to graduate with a BS in Occupational Therapy, but the rewards are worth it. If you don’t search, you will not find. This is the best advice I can give you. You are never too old to do anything you want to do. Do not let society define you by your age, you will get old before your time.

First talk to a career counselor and see what they have to say about it, they will see what you know, what you like, what skills you currently have and come up with some suggestions.

They should also know what positions are currently in demand for people.

As for age PHEWY!!! I am 49 and going back for either drafting or accounting…deciding right now.

26 is not to old and there will always be a risk job hunting anywhere.

Good luck

When you think about it, we spend years of our lives from birth until death just trying to keep up. If you are stuck in a job that you don’t really care for in a field that isn’t your passion, it’s going to be a more miserable trip. If you have the opportunity and the finances to learn a new field, obtain the proper credentials and start up again, I think you should go for it. I don’t think there is an age that is too old to cut it. I think you should do your best to make a change in your life if you think that change will make you happier. After all, isn’t happier better?

Never say you’re ripe..keep learning..you’re too young for 30, you’re still stong and most of all your determination is strong, never mind the odds..the odds are challenges that will make you strong.

For sure during your stay at the uni (if you decide to get a degree) you will meet more individuals whom you can share with your ideas and vice versa..there you will eventualy find more ideas and answers to more of your other questions..and evrything else will follow.

Good luck!

NO WAY!!! I am 28 and starting my masters degree in the fall. It will take almost 4 year’s, but i want a better life for myself, my husband, and my future children!!! More power to you! You owe this opportunity to yourself because this is something you enjoy and would love doing. When you are given the chance to make yourself happy always DO IT!

I am 26 myself, and refuse to believe that it is “too old” for anything! lol. I plan to go back to school myself soon. My theory is as long as you are breathing.. it’s never too late. What if you don’t and look back 10 years from now and regret not going? Go for yours.. you will feel great about yourself in the end.. and it might just be the life change you are looking for! Good luck!