1. Having trouble logging in by clicking the link at the top right of the page? Click here to be taken to the log in page.
    Dismiss Notice

Changing career/education/retraining later in life.

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic Pub' started by TimFloyd, Oct 7, 2015.

Discuss Changing career/education/retraining later in life. in the TalkCeltic Pub area at TalkCeltic.net.

  1. TimFloyd Gold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    25,925
    Likes Received:
    5,335
    I'm sure I have maybe spoke of this before :smiley-laughing002: but it's that time again when I drive up a rain soaked M6 thinking "what the * am I doing with my life?"

    I'm interested to hear peoples experiences of changing careers or going back into education later on life and how much of a success (or maybe failure) it has been.

    I would like to go back into education and work towards a degree but have 0 qualifications so unsure if it's a pointless endeavour.
     
  2. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,810
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    My Mum went to Uni and got her degree at 40, said it was a life changing experience and has never been happier about applying herself to something and taking control of her life.
     
  3. TimFloyd Gold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    25,925
    Likes Received:
    5,335
    That's great, fair play to her!

    Did she go to Uni full time? or do like distance learning?
     
  4. Sno'sLeftFoot

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2014
    Messages:
    4,964
    Likes Received:
    1,217
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubo
    Never been myself, and don't intend to go into education any time soon but the thought of it later in life appeals to me. In terms of qualifications, I'm in the same boat, zilch. But from what I hear and pick up from folk is that life experience counts for so much more. If you have the basics down I'd imagine you could get into a course depending what it is. College or something first then leads onto other things.

    Too busy keeping up with bills at the moment to even contemplate any changes, but it's definitely something I'd look into in a good few years when I'm hopefully a bit more settled.
     
  5. TimFloyd Gold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    25,925
    Likes Received:
    5,335
    Aye continuing to pay the bills would be a problem.....

    Anyone with A mechanical engineering degree on here? that's the kind of thing I would like to work towards.
     
  6. Wicker Bhoy

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2010
    Messages:
    3,585
    Likes Received:
    4
    I went back at 23 and got a degree. 27 now and its the best thing I ever done by a mile. In the line of work I want to be in now and although Im probably a few years behind in terms of experience than other people my age it wont matter in a few years.
     
  7. Sno'sLeftFoot

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2014
    Messages:
    4,964
    Likes Received:
    1,217
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubo
    How does an open university work? Is it the same kind of entry requirements as mainstream unis? A lot of people seem to do it in their spare time or evenings after work. Could be an option.
     
  8. jj81

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,626
    Likes Received:
    2,837
    Heres a good site for some short courses as open uni can be years.

    Lots of programming courses and a few others.

    Some free some got a price.

    https://www.edx.org

    Open learn has a few free courses too.
     
  9. jj81

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2011
    Messages:
    4,626
    Likes Received:
    2,837
  10. Liam Scales Gold Member Gold Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2006
    Messages:
    80,375
    Likes Received:
    28,810
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Broony
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Celtic Symphony, YNWA, Grace
    Part time mate, took her about 4 years. She done brilliant, so never too late to change what you're wanting to do with your life.
     
  11. Tim-Time 1888 Always look on the bright side of Life Gold Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
    Messages:
    32,395
    Likes Received:
    11,210
    Location:
    Scotland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Enrico Annoni
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Hail Hail
    Floyd if I remember correctly you are often away overnight as well, so you could study then as well as work if the bills are a concern ?
     
  12. Celtic Symphony

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2013
    Messages:
    805
    Likes Received:
    3
    Started Open Uni this month, four year part time course to get a degree in IT.

    Complete change of career but something I should have done years ago.
     
  13. TimFloyd Gold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    25,925
    Likes Received:
    5,335
    Aye I would be able to do distance learning for working towards highers etc in my current job but I was more thinking ahead to doing an actual degree.

    Not sure how a thing like that could be undertaken with very little or no class time.
     
  14. Celtic Symphony

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2013
    Messages:
    805
    Likes Received:
    3
    The one I am on atm recommend between 16-20 hours a week, they send out all the books and equipment you need and you have to take part in the odd video lecture and also a few seminars at the Caledonian University on Saturdays that last a few hours.

    Only started and its been a shock to the system a bit having to make time to study.
     
  15. Tim-Time 1888 Always look on the bright side of Life Gold Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2012
    Messages:
    32,395
    Likes Received:
    11,210
    Location:
    Scotland
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Enrico Annoni
    Fav Celtic Song:
    Hail Hail
    Will you not need to do the highers and that before the degree anyway ?

    Only thing I would worry about is if you go to uni will you become like .. you know .. em .. huh .. studenty :97:
     
  16. Callum McGregor The Captain Gold Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    Messages:
    68,186
    Likes Received:
    33,554
    Location:
    London
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubomir Moravcik
    Fav Celtic Song:
    You'll Never Walk Alone
    OP, definitely not a pointless endeavour. If you put the effort in and get qualifications towards your desired career change, you can change your career.

    Even if you don't want to jump straight into a degree, the Open Uni and other places have access modules you can complete if you haven't studied for a while.

    Pretty sure a lot of colleges offer night classes too. Best thing to do is contact them and see what's available in your chosen subject area.
     
  17. TimFloyd Gold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Messages:
    25,925
    Likes Received:
    5,335
    What is it your doing? that seems pretty manageable.

    Yeah will need to get highers first so probably best crossing that bridge first. :smiley-laughing002:

    I know I can't wait to sit in starbucks ordering my soy milk chai tea latte and ranting about capitalism on my iphone/imac with my big daft black rimmed specs on like an uber *!

    edit: better start practicing my * uni accent now then.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 7, 2015
  18. Sno'sLeftFoot

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2014
    Messages:
    4,964
    Likes Received:
    1,217
    Location:
    Glasgow
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubo
    At least if you came out with no qualifications you'd have a cracking Glasgow Uni accent to prove you went rather than a diploma.
     
  19. Callum McGregor The Captain Gold Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    Messages:
    68,186
    Likes Received:
    33,554
    Location:
    London
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubomir Moravcik
    Fav Celtic Song:
    You'll Never Walk Alone

    Nah, some Open Uni degrees have no previous experience or qualifications needed. Seriously.
     
  20. Callum McGregor The Captain Gold Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2008
    Messages:
    68,186
    Likes Received:
    33,554
    Location:
    London
    Fav Celtic Player:
    Lubomir Moravcik
    Fav Celtic Song:
    You'll Never Walk Alone