Best Career Move Ever

The best career move ever for me was going back to school at 50.

Are you’re considering going back to school and worried about your age? Let me share some encouraging numbers from the National Center of Education Statistics.

As of 2021, there were 695,000 students enrolled in graduate programs, and over 137,000 of these students were between the ages of 40 and 49.

Even more surprising, over 62,000 students were between the ages of 50 and 64.

So, age should not be a concern if you’re thinking about furthering your education.

People enroll in college later in life for various reasons.  Career advancement or change, self-fulfillment, economic necessity, staying current in the job market, or setting an example for their children.

In my case, right around the time I turned 50, I started contemplating what I wanted to do when I was 60.

Although I loved my job as a Vice President of Information Services, I knew I didn’t want to be in technology when I was 60.

I envisioned myself teaching online college courses, which I could do from anywhere in the world.

So, I returned to school so I could teach online college course when I was 60.

Crazy, huh?

About three-quarters through my graduate program, I took a course on executive coaching, which opened a new career path for me.  Up until that time, coaching for me was little league or basketball.

But that executive coaching class introduced me to something I had never considered before.

After completing my master’s, I enrolled in another 18-month program to become a credentialed professional coach.

I balanced this new role with my full-time job until 2015 when I decided to take a risk and pursue coaching full-time.  Since then, I haven’t looked back.

This career shift wouldn’t have been possible without my master’s degree.

So if you’re contemplating going back to school, I highly encourage you to explore it. Age is not a barrier, and the rewards can be immense.

For more insights and inspiration, check out the full video:
50 & Fearless | Earning My Master’s Was the Best Career Move Ever