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Going back to school - advice? - calling it quits

Posted: Dec 10, 2009

I have decided to call it quits with MT - I am 55 years old, and even if things turn around in the future it will not be in time for me.

I only have a few college credits, and would love to go for ultrasound but there is a 2-3 year waiting period, and I would have to get an associate's degree in addition to ultrasound certification.

Am I too old? Any suggestions? TIA

calling it quits - KImberly

[ In Reply To ..]
No, you're not too old :) I say you should go for it! You'll have a great advantage, too, having done MT!

Good luck!

How old will you be in 2-3 years - if you do not go back?

[ In Reply To ..]
And what will your situation be in 2-3 years if you don't go.

Or 5 years?

If you have the time and resources to get more education and a degree, I say absolutely go for it. I def would!

Good luck to you.

Never too old to learn! - Tina

[ In Reply To ..]
In fact, you inspire me and I say go for it! I am almost 40 and sometimes think I am in too deep to switch midstream; however, my true passion is photography and writing. I'd love to be a photojournalist. I think it's time to cross on over and do what I love!!!

Thanks, everyone - this is what I'm going to do - calling it quits

[ In Reply To ..]
I have had to go on unemployment in the past 2 months because of no work. I am working now, but not even making enough to match unemployment, so I am working and receiving it still. The umemployment office got in touch with me and said that I had been identified to receive reemployment assistance -- and right when he called me, I was absolutely livid about what was happening with MT, and I let loose on him. He said that he was well aware of what was going on as he had talked with 2 other MTs in the past 3 days. He said, "just come in and tell me what you want to do" - and that I most certainly qualified for a Pell grant. I have an appt tomorrow morning.

I will let you know what I'm told and pass along all info --

I'd like to go back to school but can't figure out what I want to be when I grow up - mtmom

[ In Reply To ..]
I was thinking about being a PT assistant. I know someone in her 50s who recently completed a 2-year course at a community college and started at over $50,000 at the hospital. I looked into the prerequisites and that would take me another year just to get in! Also, there's a long waiting list to get in, just like for ultrasound tech. I also thought about being a massage therapist but I don't know if my old bones and muscles can handle the strain. All this typing has ruined my shoulder muscles.

re: calling it quits - still standing

[ In Reply To ..]
I went back to school 3 years ago to finish up what I had started decades ago. I am 50 now, graduated last December with a BA in education, WITH HONORS and 3.9 GPA.(major in English and reading with a minor in history) Guess what... CAN'T GET A JOB! There is a hiring freeze in our area in most districts! Then there were 267 "displaced" teachers so they are floating around doing the subing and they get preference for any positions that opens, be that teacher or clerical. It has been a struggle with that as well.

It's all over the country so chose your field very carefully.

I didn't qualify for a grant so I feel like the last 3 years in school has been a $45,000 mistake.

I DO get a very, very rare call to sub, but SHEESH...!!! WHEN IS SOMETHING GOING TO CHANGE!??

Oh, I failed to mention. Loans came due this month, (1 year after graduation...). close to $400 a month.

~my troubles continue.

About going back for teaching degree - Lynn

[ In Reply To ..]
I have heard exactly the same thing, people with degrees are unable to find a teaching job. My housekeeper is going to school to become a dialysis nurse and she tells me she personally has friends whose degrees are meaning nothing in the fact they cannot land a job.

No, never too old... - NMMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Funny though...I went to back to school after being laid off working in a doctor's office in 2000. Studied accounting and kept my GPA at 4.0 throughout the entire year. Couldn't afford to finish and only got a certificate so, of course, no job offer. That's when I decided to try working at home. Bought an MT course and landed a job 6 months after completing it. I think the pay is lousy but, in these times, it's a paycheck coming in whereas I would still be looking for a foot in the door with my accounting certificate. Sometimes the grass is not always greener. But, if you're wanting out, I would go for it. I'm 57 and, if I had the financial backing, I would certainly give it a go. Good luck to you!!

BACK TO SCHOOL - PurpleHaze

[ In Reply To ..]
No, you aren't too old. My mom once worked with a lady who went back to nursing school in her 50s. She had always depended on her husband and he left her and she had to find a way to support herself. The last time my mom heard from her she was still working part-time in a hospital and she was in her 70s then.

I have wondered about this also. I know I am not too old to - mt

[ In Reply To ..]
go to school, but what about getting hired? Everyone knows companies cannot discriminate for age, but they can give other reasons for not hiring you. I am 57 and would hire someone younger than me if given a choice. I hate the idea of wasting money on school and then not getting hired. I wish there was a way to contact companies and find out how they feel about hiring older employees just getting out of school.

I know how you feel - I'm 55, but don't give up - calling it quits

[ In Reply To ..]
I just got home tonight and don't have many details yet, but you (and I) may qualify for a Pell grant which covers your living expenses as well as everything else while you go to school.

I am going through unemployment, and I was told that they have expanded all of their programs and there is money there.

I have an appt on Wednesday to find out what they can do for me -BUT I was told that they would not train for a job that made $10.00 an hour - it has to be substantial (if others already knew that - I didn't - I thought they would just train me to do a certain list of things, but no - he made it clear that it would be something that I wanted to do).

I have been feeling the same way, but I do believe that things will change and they will be PROUD to have us work with them, no matter what age we are. There is something to say about inherent work ethic and just life experience, right?

Keep us posted please, and good luck.nm - mt

[ In Reply To ..]

going back to school-me too - Transcend MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I am going back to school too...just registered last Thursday. I'm 50...I'm so sick of this field and I've been in it almost 20 years. I'm going for paralegal. I want to work where I am more than just a number and so will look for a small law firm to work for or the government for the great benefits and enormous pay raises.

THAT'S GREAT! - calling it quits

[ In Reply To ..]
I thought about paralegal also . . I used to be a legal secretary. I can tell you one thing, lawyers have their reputation, but I never met one that came close to the rudeness of some doctors. I have an appt tomorrow to see what kind of money I can get, and go from there. Still hoping for ultrasound.

Congratulations!

Going back to school - Transcend MT

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks and good luck to you too. I know I can get aid as I made less this year than last year and have 2 kids in college right now. Even if I end up with a loan it will be worth it.

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