A Guide for Adults Going to College • Hacker News Board

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#31

Post by PhasmaFelis » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:46 PM UTC

ddoolin wrote: post #24

I really want to go back to finish school. I'm 28 and dropped out at the end of my 3rd year with 97 credits because I had a baby on the way in another country. I've been working as a software engineer ever since. I did try one semester at a CC shortly after but my job was too demanding on top of parenting a wee lad and I took a slate of all Fs, sadly, since I missed the withdrawal date. Now I have the time, funds, an…

If you've got a solid software resume under you already, I'm not sure a CS degree will open any new doors for you, or teach you much that you haven't already learned. Most employers (that you'd want to work for) only care about a degree if you don't have work experience.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#32

Post by reificator » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:47 PM UTC

nostromo wrote: post #21

theparanoid wrote: post #15

I'm switching careers from tech to nursing. Being older--mid-thirties--hasn't been an issue. It helps that healthcare has less of an age bias than computing.

My significant other just got a job as a captain at a major airline. At 30 he was one of the youngest people hired in his cohort. In aviation experienced captains with lots of fly time and safe and timely arrivals are seen as assets. It's quite a contrast to what we hear about in tech.

I'm still young but this has always been my question as well. When is tech going to grow up and recognize experience as an asset? Beyond of course putting "10 years of Julia 1.0 experience" as a requirement to be hired in a junior level position.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#33

Post by xyzzyz » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:47 PM UTC

sjg007 wrote: post #30

porphyrogene wrote: post #26

It is never too late for education. It is always too early for crippling debt that exceeds your proven earning potential. None of this advice touches on the lost principle of not putting one's future on layaway. Student load debt forgiveness is a death sentence for American politicians yet there are millions of us waiting for a miracle.

It will happen if you vote blue. The first wave of it was 10 year of payments and then debt forgiveness.

That will push college prices even higher.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#34

Post by mrfusion » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:49 PM UTC

zigzaggy wrote: post #11

mrfusion wrote: post #2

I’ve always wondered how employers treat an older person changing careers? Do you get an internship along with the young people? Is that wierd? Will they be uncomfortable asking a 45 year old professional to do low status jobs? And then are entry level jobs open to older adults? How would you design your resume? Leave your past career off?

All very good questions. I’m at the Senior Manager level in my profession, trying to switch to entry / junior level in IT security. I have solid experience and great references, and I get calls from clients and recruiters constantly for work in my current field. But I get practically no responses when I submit myself for positions in the new field. I tracked one recruiter down recently and she basically told me she’s…

Can you find an in between job. Maybe it does what you do now mostly but has some aspect of what you want to switch to?

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#35

Post by sjg007 » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:49 PM UTC

ddoolin wrote: post #24

I really want to go back to finish school. I'm 28 and dropped out at the end of my 3rd year with 97 credits because I had a baby on the way in another country. I've been working as a software engineer ever since. I did try one semester at a CC shortly after but my job was too demanding on top of parenting a wee lad and I took a slate of all Fs, sadly, since I missed the withdrawal date. Now I have the time, funds, an…

Your application essay is probably where you would talk about why you want the opportunity to finish your degree and what benefit you will bring to the institution. Highlighting appropriate adult behaviors like "taking responsibility" for you child etc... Your real world experience will definitely help you.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#36

Post by azhenley » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:50 PM UTC

ddoolin wrote: post #24

I really want to go back to finish school. I'm 28 and dropped out at the end of my 3rd year with 97 credits because I had a baby on the way in another country. I've been working as a software engineer ever since. I did try one semester at a CC shortly after but my job was too demanding on top of parenting a wee lad and I took a slate of all Fs, sadly, since I missed the withdrawal date. Now I have the time, funds, an…

You might be surprised at what admissions might think. Stuff happens and people (including admissions) know that. In your application you are even given the chance to explain that sort of thing (it makes for a more interesting story if you ask me!)

My advice would be to also reach out to the department admin and or department chair of the department you are interested in (CS at USC?) with a brief email. Even try to arrange a visit. If you get a chance to speak with them, explain you are nontrad student with industry experience and prior college credits with a minor blemish on your record. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you in!

Disclaimer: I'm a prof.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#37

Post by porphyrogene » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:50 PM UTC

sjg007 wrote: post #30

porphyrogene wrote: post #26

It is never too late for education. It is always too early for crippling debt that exceeds your proven earning potential. None of this advice touches on the lost principle of not putting one's future on layaway. Student load debt forgiveness is a death sentence for American politicians yet there are millions of us waiting for a miracle.

It will happen if you vote blue. The first wave of it was 10 year of payments and then debt forgiveness.

> It will happen if you vote blue.

Unfortunately it is a matter of voting blue enough, not just blue. In some areas politicians, even Democrats, regularly relate to their constituents by bashing "East cost liberal elites" despite having degrees from Ivy League schools. If Doug Jones had said that a liberal arts education is valuable for developing into a well-rounded citizen his race would have ended then and there.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#38

Post by fma » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:51 PM UTC

theparanoid wrote: post #25

rwbt wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting. Do you mind telling us what made you choose nursing over tech?

Everybody at my old company was laid after 50, flexible hours: full-time, part-time, on-call, and working 40 hours a week in a cubicle gets really old.

I'm 35...I've too considered nursing or PA for the same reason. I know I'm "young" but the writing is on the wall for the age bias.

Nursing/PA is decent pay, always work opportunities, can't get outsourced (easily). You also don't have BS job interviews. If you have updated certifications and aren't an ass... Hired! You also get continuation education too!

I also like that it's hourly. The hospital needs you for OT? More money. As you get older and have more money, less expenses you can choose to work less and enjoy free time. Unless you are freelance or consulting, software doesn't have that flexibility.

Maybe in a few years...

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#39

Post by azhenley » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:53 PM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #13

mrfusion wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Noted. I’ve edited it to be more clear what I was trying to express.

Do interns in technology jobs do low status jobs either? My experience is interns usually try the big cool new ideas, because it frees up the regular people to bring work to production and it doesn't matter so much if the interns try something and it doesn't work?

Can also confirm. Did 5 internships at a variety of companies.

I got to try out radical new ideas and was given a surprising amount of freedom.

Re: A Guide for Adults Going to College

#40

Post by sjg007 » Tue, Jan 08, 2019, 6:53 PM UTC

chrisseaton wrote: post #13

mrfusion wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Noted. I’ve edited it to be more clear what I was trying to express.

Do interns in technology jobs do low status jobs either? My experience is interns usually try the big cool new ideas, because it frees up the regular people to bring work to production and it doesn't matter so much if the interns try something and it doesn't work?

The primary goal with interns in tech is to convince them to work at your company post graduation.