Heading back to grad school after a professional life?

[phdthoughts]

Hi all, this is my first post here. I wanted to introduce myself and get some advice. I'm very seriously considering my PhD, but have some reservations as I feel I'm a non-traditional student. I earned my BA in 2005 and worked for a few years before going back to school to get my MA in 2011 while working full-time. I've since found a job in my field, making decent money. However, I love my research topic and the idea of pursing it further has never left me, I've been encouraged by my thesis advisor to pursue a PhD, but only after a few years out of school have I started taking her promptings seriously. 

The thing is, I'm now 35 and won't even apply to programs until 2016. I really don't want to pursue this if teaching and research are off the table after I get my degree due to my age, otherwise I'd rather just stay the course in my current career path. I was even made to feel old in my masters program at 27! On the other hand, I think I actually might be a fairly compelling candidate due to my job history --- it relates directly to my research interests, I've lived and worked overseas and I've spoken at a conference on my thesis. I'm just starting to study for my GRE, so I don't have that as a factor in my decision as yet. I've been told I'll need to get a paper or two published to help with my application as well, which I'm more than happy to do.

Is there anyone in my boat? In that the path is not as clear as for some (undergrad to grad to PhD etc.)?

Thank you!!

Edited September 6, 2015 by phdthoughts

[Cheshire_Cat]

There are several older people here.  I'd say 25% of the first years in my incoming class are over 30.  One looks about 45 and has her law degree.  It isn't that unusual to come into a Ph.D program later in life.

[fuzzylogician]

The thing is, I'm now 35 and won't even apply to programs until 2016. I really don't want to pursue this if teaching and research are off the table after I get my degree due to my age, otherwise I'd rather just stay the course in my current career path. 

It's not the most common, but it is certainly not unheard of to start school at an older age. Of my cohort of 8, 2 were in their early-mid 30s when they started, and the third-oldest person was 27. There was only one person who came straight from undergrad, most people were around 24-25. We were all close, or, at least, the way friendships got formed have nothing to do with age and none of us ever cared about it. If you look at where people are now, I also don't think you'd find anything to indicate that age played a role in people's success on the job market.

You can get hired as a 40-something year old, there is nothing that would in principle preclude it. On the other hand, no one can make you any promises. The job market is very competitive, in every field. So if you think you will only want to do this if you are guaranteed an academic job on the other hand, I would recommend not going down this route. 

[phdthoughts]

It's not the most common, but it is certainly not unheard of to start school at an older age. Of my cohort of 8, 2 were in their early-mid 30s when they started, and the third-oldest person was 27. There was only one person who came straight from undergrad, most people were around 24-25. We were all close, or, at least, the way friendships got formed have nothing to do with age and none of us ever cared about it. If you look at where people are now, I also don't think you'd find anything to indicate that age played a role in people's success on the job market.

You can get hired as a 40-something year old, there is nothing that would in principle preclude it. On the other hand, no one can make you any promises. The job market is very competitive, in every field. So if you think you will only want to do this if you are guaranteed an academic job on the other hand, I would recommend not going down this route. 

Thanks for the kind words. I guess one of the reasons I'm a bit preoccupied with it now, was that most of my cohort in my MA program came straight from undergrad and frankly, were treated much better by faculty and the department in general.  It felt a bit like "first class" and "second class" and divided the program unnecessarily.   

I'm keeping myself open to jobs after graduation for sure, not just academic jobs. I'm open to higher level administration within academics for example, or a nonprofit etc.  I know a couple of colleagues who got similar positions with their PhD. All my work experience since undergrad with the exception of a newspaper gig has been in higher education, so I imagine that I would be a good fit. Not going to lie though - I'd love to end up teaching and writing!

Edited September 7, 2015 by phdthoughts

[phdthoughts]

There are several older people here.  I'd say 25% of the first years in my incoming class are over 30.  One looks about 45 and has her law degree.  It isn't that unusual to come into a Ph.D program later in life.

Whew! This is good to know. I have to remind myself that not all departments are the same across the board. Thanks. I've always been mistaken for 5-7 years younger than I really am anyway.  

[fuzzylogician]

Thanks for the kind words. I guess one of the reasons I'm a bit preoccupied with it now, was that most of my cohort in my MA program came straight from undergrad and frankly, were treated much better by faculty and the department in general.  It felt a bit like "first class" and "second class" and divided the program unnecessarily.   

That sucks. Sounds like the kind of thing to gently inquire about after you have your admissions decisions in hand and before deciding where to attend (in the lucky case that you have several options open to you). Don't let that one bad experience color how you see all of academia, though. 

[bhr]

My MA cohort (in a field where they aren't considered terminal/fallbacks to PhDs) included 3 early 20s and 4 30+ members. I'll be starting a PhD next year (fingers crossed) at 38, and have been told, repeatedly, not to worry about it. In fact, the only one who really cares about age here seems to be me (which is a personally thing I'm having hard getting over).

[phdthoughts]

My MA cohort (in a field where they aren't considered terminal/fallbacks to PhDs) included 3 early 20s and 4 30+ members. I'll be starting a PhD next year (fingers crossed) at 38, and have been told, repeatedly, not to worry about it. In fact, the only one who really cares about age here seems to be me (which is a personally thing I'm having hard getting over).

bhr - thanks for the encouragement. I understand - I also feel like it's mostly my hangup more than anyone else! I'm curious what program you're applying to?

[Chiqui74]

I had an undergrad professor who didn't start graduate school until she was already in her 40s.  She has a TT job (just got tenure, actually), and is on fire as far as research, grants, fellowships, etc.

I'm in my mid 30's, also had a professional life post college, and just started a PhD program this fall.  Age is but a number!  I'm also not the oldest in my cohort.  I think there is only one person who came straight from undergrad.

[bhr]

bhr - thanks for the encouragement. I understand - I also feel like it's mostly my hangup more than anyone else! I'm curious what program you're applying to?

Two different field. Rhet/Comp programs, primarily, where I will be a bit (or more, sadly) older than the average student, and education, where I'll be a lot closer, since there are more career-stage folks.

[avflinsch]

Is there anyone in my boat? In that the path is not as clear as for some (undergrad to grad to PhD etc.)?

Thank you!!

Not quite the same boat -

My path - high school - some college - work - some more college - work - some more college - work, family, career – back to college part time - finish undergrad @ 52, then straight to grad school, considering a PhD after the masters (or possibly a second masters)

I know of several other folks that finished their PhD while in their 50’s so it may not be all that common, but it certainly is not unheard of.

[RunnerGrad]

I'm an older student.  Not only am I completing graduate school at an age much older than that of my peers, I actually did a second undergraduate degree, after many years as a working professional.  Why?  I wanted to change careers and become a registered dietitian, and the only way to do that in Canada is to attend a Dietitians of Canada accredited undergraduate program as a first step.

Two of my profs (one at my undergrad institution, one at my graduate one) did their PhDs in their 40s, and didn't become faculty members until their late 40s/early 50s.  While it's not typical, in can be done.  I'd say it is easier in fields that don't have an overabundance of PhDs.  For example, in my field, there aren't a lot of individuals with both their RD credential and a PhD, so it is relatively easier to find jobs than for those in oversaturated fields.

I'm completing a master's now (typical in Canada to do a master's before a PhD, plus my master's is getting me the internship experience I need to get the RD credential - which is the other piece required to be an RD after the undergraduate part).  I'm starting to work on my materials to apply for a PhD for Fall 2016.  Sure, I'll be in my late 40s by the time I'm done, but I'm told I look between 5 and 10 years younger than I actually am, and I know I'll be able to find work as an RD, at the very least (according to all the human resources projections, there currently aren't enough RDs to fill the positions available, and there won't be enough for anytime in the near future).

[phdthoughts]

Not quite the same boat -

 

My path - high school - some college - work - some more college - work - some more college - work, family, career – back to college part time - finish undergrad @ 52, then straight to grad school, considering a PhD after the masters (or possibly a second masters)

I know of several other folks that finished their PhD while in their 50’s so it may not be all that common, but it certainly is not unheard of.

 

avflinsch - It's funny, I joke that I seem to find myself back in school every 3 years, so might as well just stay there.  

[phdthoughts]

I'm an older student.  Not only am I completing graduate school at an age much older than that of my peers, I actually did a second undergraduate degree, after many years as a working professional.  Why?  I wanted to change careers and become a registered dietitian, and the only way to do that in Canada is to attend a Dietitians of Canada accredited undergraduate program as a first step.

Two of my profs (one at my undergrad institution, one at my graduate one) did their PhDs in their 40s, and didn't become faculty members until their late 40s/early 50s.  While it's not typical, in can be done.  I'd say it is easier in fields that don't have an overabundance of PhDs.  For example, in my field, there aren't a lot of individuals with both their RD credential and a PhD, so it is relatively easier to find jobs than for those in oversaturated fields.

I'm completing a master's now (typical in Canada to do a master's before a PhD, plus my master's is getting me the internship experience I need to get the RD credential - which is the other piece required to be an RD after the undergraduate part).  I'm starting to work on my materials to apply for a PhD for Fall 2016.  Sure, I'll be in my late 40s by the time I'm done, but I'm told I look between 5 and 10 years younger than I actually am, and I know I'll be able to find work as an RD, at the very least (according to all the human resources projections, there currently aren't enough RDs to fill the positions available, and there won't be enough for anytime in the near future).

It's a good point that you make - that it's easier in fields that don't have an overabundance of PhDs. I mentioned in another response that I look about 8 years younger as well. It's always annoyed me a bit, especially in the professional world, but it could very well be an advantage in this case. I hope it goes well for you this year with application prep for 2016.

[avflinsch]

avflinsch - It's funny, I joke that I seem to find myself back in school every 3 years, so might as well just stay there.  

The final push for me was getting a job at the university that I am attending - free tuition for employees & their kids, so it finally made sense to complete the degree.

I am now in a race to get my master's before my daughter gets hers, I have a 2 semester lead on her, but I am part time, and she just started full time, so it very may well end up as a tie.