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When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? - Career - Nairaland

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When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 7:19pm On May 28, 2012
My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?

Will appreciate any advice.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by nitrogen(m): 10:00pm On May 28, 2012
wakagirl: My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?


Will appreciate any advice.

@op, it isnt late, the fact that your sister is 38 years doesnt mean she cant go ahead and get a first degree, even after the first, she can go for masters( if she isnt up to 50 after the acquisition of first degree) and it will be useful cos it will place her somewhere okay(position) before she retires.
If you are ready to learn, knowledge doesnt care about age. There was this my level mate( 70 years) when i was in my first year in school, the funny thing was that he was studying medicine, when interrogated, he said he came for this in order to fulfill his desire to acquire a first degree certificate before he joins his fathers beyond.

So, i think, it is even early for your sister compared to the case stated above. She can go for part time programme and within 4-5 years, she is through. Please, encourage her to proceed. She will cope unless she doesnt want to.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by deenee: 11:28pm On May 28, 2012
This is a pathetic scenario. It is quite painful and I empathize with your sister regarding this dilemma. All hope is not lost but she needs to be very objective because this is a life changing decision that she is about to embark on. At 38, the options for a 360 degree career change are very limited so if she is embarking on a decision to study for a degree course, she has to be sure that the intended course of study will be relevant to her in the long term. More so she has to consider her family which in my own opinion will play a critical role in this regard! All the best!

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by tanimola22: 11:02am On May 29, 2012
nitrogen:
@op, it isnt late, the fact that your sister is 38 years doesnt mean she cant go ahead and get a first degree, even after the first, she can go for masters( if she isnt up to 50 after the acquisition of first degree) and it will be useful cos it will place her somewhere okay(position) before she retires.
If you are ready to learn, knowledge doesnt care about age. There was this my level mate( 70 years) when i was in my first year in school, the funny thing was that he was studying medicine, when interrogated, he said he came for this in order to fulfill his desire to acquire a first degree certificate before he joins his fathers beyond.

So, i think, it is even early for your sister compared to the case stated above. She can go for part time programme and within 4-5 years, she is through. Please, encourage her to proceed. She will cope unless she doesnt want to.

lol, your example is hilarious.

@OP, All hope, as the previous posters said, is not lost.

Tell her to go for a course that is in line with her current professional inclination, a course where she would just read, understand and pass, where only her written English language and her ability to assimilate would be tested. If she goes for such a course, she will not perform poorly. She may even get the best of grades because of her experience and exposure.

Depending on her current professional inclination, I propose her
1. Public Administration
2. Managerial Psychology
3. Mass Communication
4. English/Lit
5. International Studies

All the best to your sis. And please it is not unfortunate that she is 38.

T22.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by nitrogen(m): 11:31am On May 29, 2012
tanimola22:

lol, your example is hilarious.

Na so o, it was learnt that all the man's children are abroad, so all they were doing was to send money to baba.
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 12:42pm On May 29, 2012
Great encouragement from you all thanks and God bless.
I copied and emailed these fantastic encouraging posts to her and she has really been encouraged.
Thanks to you all and a speacial one to Dinee and Tanimola who went on to suggest courses.

@Nitro that is actually funny, got me laughing so hard. wao! there is nothing like been fulfilled.

Will still keep checking for more encouraging words and suggestions.

Thanks.

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 7:48pm On May 31, 2012
@tanimola please what do you think of her going for Business Studies? Do you think this will be something she will be able to cope really well with?
Thanks
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by tanimola22: 9:15pm On May 31, 2012
wakagirl: @tanimola please what do you think of her going for Business Studies? Do you think this will be something she will be able to cope really well with?
Thanks

Hi,

Can we see the curriculum of the course? Which school is she looking at?
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 11:12am On Jun 01, 2012
tanimola22:

Hi,

Can we see the curriculum of the course? Which school is she looking at?

I should be able to get the info from her today. Thanks
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by nnana4top: 11:42am On Jun 01, 2012
Its never too late, there was a man of 50yrs in my class then, in same class with his daughter. I will advice her to get an online degree since she is oversea, this will require less time and she can study on her own. I think management cousres will do her fine.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 2:20pm On Jun 01, 2012
@nna thanks a mill

attanimola pls see the link for the course and sch one of which she is looking at

http://www.uws.ac.uk/special_6_years/business_studies_(pt)/

thanks
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by tanimola22: 6:54pm On Jun 01, 2012
wakagirl: @nna thanks a mill

attanimola pls see the link for the course and sch one of which she is looking at

http://www.uws.ac.uk/special_6_years/business_studies_(pt)/

thanks

Yeah its fine. The duration is 6 years, so she is not in a hurry to graduate and leave. I also did not see the terrible things I was expecting to see, so I think she should cope well and maybe blast too smiley. Part time students are adult students and they are treated as such.

All the best to her.

T22
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 7:40pm On Jun 01, 2012
@tanimola
thanks a mill bless you.
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by tanimola22: 7:46pm On Jun 01, 2012
wakagirl: @tanimola
thanks a mill bless you.

Amen! Thanks..

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by wakagirl: 6:27pm On Jun 13, 2012
@tani and others
Just wondering what career lane can get into with a degree in business studies?
Thanks
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by tanimola22: 7:56pm On Jun 13, 2012
wakagirl: @tani and others
Just wondering what career lane can get into with a degree in business studies?
Thanks

You just cracked me up with this your question smiley. Almost everything in life is business. She can build a career in almost any area of management. But I think she would have an edge in the business area she has worked in for many years.

T22

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by luckgames(m): 9:45pm On Jun 13, 2012
wakagirl: My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?

Will appreciate any advice.

I know somebody who completed his degree
He is over 53 years old
Have a great job, so age is a number
People go to medical school at 38
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by brade: 9:48pm On Jun 13, 2012
when you are dead.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by AnotherOkija: 9:52pm On Jun 13, 2012
wakagirl: My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?

Will appreciate any advice.


My advice to her is pursue an agressive part-time degree whilst keeping her job. It aint gonna be easy but then again, its the price she has to pay.. If she can find a good course and a good institution, she could pursue one and in 6 years tops, she would be a degree holder and with her experience, would be absorbed into the job market without too much fuss..

I have an aunty who went back to school at the age of 45 (after her last child).. Today she is 60 and is reading for her PhD.. She isnt doing it for a job but she said she always wanted to do it and so is pursuing her lifes ambition..

Tell your sis that she can do it.. It aint gonna be easy, but if her determination matches her dedication, she will definitely achieve..

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by amosy007: 9:52pm On Jun 13, 2012
Nothing is late...It only too late when u are dead
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by zangiff(m): 9:53pm On Jun 13, 2012
From the cradel to the grave,man is a student.she can always get back to school anytime.

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by deleo16(m): 9:53pm On Jun 13, 2012
brade: when you are dead.
You have said it all it,s when u are dead that's when it is late. But there one ultimate degree. We need to get here. Ticket of making heaven

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by SuyaEater(m): 10:15pm On Jun 13, 2012
never
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by Nobody: 10:17pm On Jun 13, 2012
I've had 40, 50 year olds in some of my classes. Some people graduate College or Uni, work for some years and then decide to pursue another field, often because that sense of fulfillment was missing in their previous field or they've just found their "niche." I read an inspiring story of a 92-year old man who went to Law school in his 60s. When he finished, some employers poked fun at him and told him to go home and play with his grandkids, but he didn't let them discourage him. One firm finally decided to give him a chance and he's still with them today, a successful Lawyer at 92, no joke! There're also 70, 80, 90 year olds who go back to high school to get their diplomas! Besides, post-secondary institutions always want older folks, because they're more focused and are there to work. So, who says you can't go back to school at any age? You sure can!

To end with one of my favourite quotes, "It is never too late to be what you might have been." - George Elliot

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by Curiouscity(m): 10:22pm On Jun 13, 2012
@OP,
If the main concerns for your sister is getting more money to take care of her responsibilities,
I will suggest she learns a trade(skills). Fortunately, she is in the western world. Though I don't
know much of UK, but in North America, some skills attract more $$/hr that some MSc degrees.
Skills she can consider(if applicable in UK) include:Wielding/fabrication,Plumbing,furniture making,etc
But, if her concerns is getting fulfilled with a degree(just to answer a graduate), then she is still
young for it. In 2010, I had a man who was already 45 year taking 1st year chemistry in my class.
He was always punctual and meticulous in all he did. In fact his presence made a positive in my life
as a teacher.

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Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by dokunbam(m): 10:32pm On Jun 13, 2012
Its better late than neva
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by Sijo01(f): 10:38pm On Jun 13, 2012
Its neva too late @Op
Pa Amodu is among d convocating graduant of Lasu. He graduted @d age of 80 as a Sociologist. He has already sat for n passed his Masters entranc exam. He's sayin he wil nt stop dere til he gets his Phd.

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by TopeFl(m): 10:49pm On Jun 13, 2012
It is not late at all. If it was Nigeria ehenn....shame no go let u go back to school. But abroad, u no send nobody o. Even me sef i am in school with small pikins dem. One of my friends works in a hospital here and one 54 year old Oyinbo guy (cleaner or something like that) was telling him that when he grows up he wants to become an accountant.
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by PeterKbaba: 11:00pm On Jun 13, 2012
WATCH THIS AND FREE YOURSELF FROM SLAVERY... ANGELS AMONG US!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncITvsYR6sA
Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by toluxe0075: 11:05pm On Jun 13, 2012
wakagirl: My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?

Will appreciate any advice.

have she heard of the 70 years old man studyin law at oau?...

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by Nobody: 11:14pm On Jun 13, 2012
wakagirl: My elder sister is getting quite upset and frustrated with herself for her inability to further her education back then. She is unfortunately 38 years at the moment, she has a stable job though not quite rewarding financially but it keeps body and soul together. She lives abroad (Scotland) and is not doing really bad just that recently she started feeling bad about not holding a degree cert. It was not her fault there just wasn’t support when she was supposed to further her education.

For some reasons she is feeling so bitter about it now and is getting very upset. She is to me lucky to still have a job and a stable one but she thinks if she holds a degree cert she can do a better job and earn more as her current job does not require any special skill and anyone can do it. At the same time she is worried about being able to cope and come out in flying colours as age is not on her side and she also has other commitment like kids to look after.

At 38 what advise will you give her, is it too late to pursue a degree and if not will she be able to cope and come out well and even at that will this degree be that relevant and useful at the end of the day with her age?

Will appreciate any advice.


My dear, It's never too late. During the abacha era when lecturers were paid peanuts, one of my uncle who was a professor at one of the federal uni's in one of the biological sciences resigned at age 54, went back to uni and studied law. Now he has been a practicing lawyer and he's successful in his new career more than he was as a lecturer.

In developed countries like USA and Canada, this practice is very common as well. So it's never too late to get a degree.

1 Like

Re: When Is It Too Late To Get A Degree? by mikron(m): 11:16pm On Jun 13, 2012
no sir. there is no age limit from acquiring a degree. even if u be 80 years. as long as you can read and write. the open universities (long distance) are there for such purposes. tell ur sister to go ahead

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