Recently I followed a thread on a LinkedIn forum for professionals. “Ann” wrote with great frustration. She had spent large sums of money to get a degree to prepare for a career that required a license. Now she had large loans – and she discovered her degree would not meet the rigid requirements for a license in her state.

This story is more common than you might realize. A few other people added similar comments to the discussion.

The school’s answer will be, “It’s your responsibility to read the fine print.” That is true.

However, when you return to school at mid-career, you need to be aware of 2 realities that can cost you thousands of dollars and leave you in worse shape than when you started.

Reality #1: You can’t count on anyone employed by a university to be your advisor or advocate.

Academic advises – whether they’re faculty or “enrollment managers” – typically feel a conflict of interest when students ask, “Should I enter this program?” When you apply to a highly competitive program, such as a doctoral program with limited places, you may be screened. Otherwise anyone who is employed by a university will be unlikely to say, “I think you would be better served by going elsewhere.”

Anyway, even with the best intentions, faculty and administration often don’t understand the value of specific degrees. I once talked to a professor from a university that offered one of the top 10 programs in his field. I expressed concern that students wanted to earn a certain type of masters degree – one that wouldn’t qualify them for anything or make them more marketable. He just shrugged and admitted he directed students into those programs because “they would have a good learning experience.”

Reality #2: As a new entrant into the field, you may not appreciate the significance of disclaimers.

In one case, the fine print says that a certain psychology program is not suited to a “clinical degree.” When you’re new you may not understand which degrees are accepted by licensing agencies and which are not. You may be even less aware of finer distinctions. When I lived in the southwest I considered taking a certain kind of degree at a local university.

In doing my research, I found out that this university did offer degrees that were considered appropriate for my new career goal. If I had asked the school, they would have said, “Yes, our degree will gain you admittance into the new career.” What they might not have said – and they were not required to say – was, “However, with our degree you will have to jump through some expensive, time-consuming hoops to reach your goal. If you choose a different school, your path will be easier.”

The bottom line is that you have to do your own research – something that may midlife career changers are not equipped to do. It’s very different from applying to a company for a job.

I’ve written a Report where I outline very specific steps you can take to assess whether a particular program is right for you. You can draw on my experience as a professor, business owner, and student. Visit http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/schoolbk.html

You can also hire me for a consultation. See
http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/careerstrategysession.html

Psychologist Jonathan Alpert answers a question about career change.
Read the full article here.

A 30-something man writes that he’s working long hours in a job he doesn’t like. However, he makes really good money so he’s reluctant to quit. He wants to be in a job where he can make a difference. He’s considering a career as a teacher.

Alpert says he should go for it. He makes an excellent point: “The longer you stay in [this job], the greater the dissatisfaction and likelihood of poor behavior driving you out.” I tell my own clients, “If your miserable, you’d better think about doing something; otherwise you will self-sabotage and you will be forced to make a change.”

He’s also right when he emphasizes the need to explore – to find out what new teachers earn and what their days are like.

But I’m not sure I’d agree that he’d be “well received” due to his experience. Teachers at the elementary and high school level are hired based on credentials and education credits, as far as I can tell. These days it’s not easy to get and hold a teaching job. I’m told you often need a contact who can be an intermediary.

I’d also question what’s going on. It’s not always clear what’s wrong when people feel restless or frustrated. Sometimes you think the problem is related to the job and it’s really about your family, home, location or other aspect of your personal life. You may be in the wrong job with the wrong people.

Teaching has a lot of downsides too. Check them out.

Education does make sense for mid-life career changers… if you choose targeted, focused education from appropriate programs. But it’s not always easy to find the right schools. For instance, online education can be extremely valuable when you choose an accredited program that’s recognized in your field. But you will find many diploma mills and fake schools offering online programs because (a) they’re cheap to set up and (b) they’re appealing to working students. Some of these schools don’t even exist.

Be especially careful of ads inviting you to apply.

It sounds SO appealing: “You’re losing $21000 if you DON’T go back to school…” You complete some questions about your background, age, interest, previous schools and majors. Then a list pops up of schools for you.

Don’t believe it. Check out this page.

Why would anyone recommend schools for you? They’re getting a commission, of course! Who’s paying the commission? Established, accredited schools don’t have to.

I’d also be careful of schools that never fail anyone and schools that permit plagiarized work. “Real” universities and colleges have policies related to plagiarism in their student handbooks.

Additionally, be wary of schools where all the professors came from the same place … usually the school where they’re teaching. A few professors do teach at the schools where they got their degrees but you shouldn’t find that half the faculty graduated from there. Most people teaching at top universities do not teach at the school that granted their degrees. If they do, they usually teach at another institution first.

How do you check out a school? You have to go beyond accreditation. Find out if employers respect your school. I’ve been dozens of students who attended a school at great expense of time and money … only to learn their education had no value. Worse, employers raised an eyebrow: “Why would you go there?”

I’ve created an affordable Report you can download at http://www.MidlifeCareerStrategy.com/schoolbk.html

“Norman” had been working for 15 years with great success. His mid-life career change came from a decision to move to a new state to be closer to his family, he discovered he would need a certification from an approved university. He found certification programs at a variety of venues, from a community college to a state university to a private school.

When Norman asked for help in evaluating his options, I suggested that he find out how he’d be viewed by prospective employers when he conducted his job search. My hunch was that employers would look first at his experience. At this point, the certificate was just getting his ticket punched. He didn’t need a school with a big name. He could choose the cheapest, fastest option with no loss of opportunities.

“Cynthia” had a successful professional career as a veterinarian. But after ten years she wanted a career that would let her spend evenings and weekends with her family. She considered getting an MBA to seek a corporate job. Harvard? Wharton? Northwestern? Those programs were high on her list.

Cynthia needs to find a way to use her skills to transition into the business world. She might find a pharmaceutical company where she could use her experience to market to veterinarians. She might develop software to help veterinarians keep track of their expenses and income.

Would a Harvard MBA help? Like Norman, she needs to research how she’d be received by prospective employers. I’d suspect she would be evaluated by the question, “What can you bring to the table? How can you contribute immediately?”

Both Norman and Cynthia need to be aware that they cannot forget their experience. When I talk to workers who agree to take a big pay cut and step back to a lesser position, they almost always report more frustration – not less.

On the other hand, if they are starting in a whole new field, they may be advised to take an entry level position. If they do, they need to pick organizations where they can move up quickly, rather than rigid companies that cling to outdated norms and timelines. Experienced workers learn fast and when you are bored, everybody knows it.

Bottom Line: For a career change at mid-life and mid-career, look at the whole picture. Before investing in the top schools with big names and big tuition bills, find out if you can make the same progress with a lower-cost program. You will be surprised: you may be equally challenged in those programs.

Of course, if you have the funds and you want the experience, you have little to lose with an Ivy League degree or a top-rated certificate program. Just be aware that you will respond differently to the program and the opportunities that present themselves when you hold that coveted diploma in your hand.

More? Download my Ebook: Back To School For A Mid-Life Mid-Career MBA.

I just came across a blog post from a student at Vancouver Island University, Canada. A student was sharing her experience in the university blog. You can read it here.

In my Report, Back to School For a Mid-Life Career Change, I emphasize the importance of learning what other students are doing. So if you read this blog post, how can you use this information?

First, the blog is transparent. You know it’s published by the school so you know it’s going to be biased.
I think the post would actually have more credibility and influence if the author had been allowed to present a more even-handed picture of her life at the university.

Second, the author notes that she went from a government job to developing her own business. If you were considering an MBA, especially from this university, as a bridge to a new job for a corporation, you would be wise to question whether this graduate’s story applies to you.

When starting a business, an MBA can be helpful in gaining credibility. Few MBA programs directly address challenges of entrepreneurship but you do learn the basics of accounting, marketing, finance and management. From a purely financial perspective you’d have to ask if this approach makes the most sense: are there other ways to take classes and learn?

Of course, money isn’t your only consideration. If you’ve been laid off and you are undergoing a major career shift in any direction, a year or two at a university can be a good way to evaluate your options. You often get access to resources who can help you as well.

For more info on returning to school for a career change, click here.

Every so often I talk to someone who wants to return to school to become a professor. They know it’s competitive but they think they really would like to teach and conduct research.

If you’re considering this option, be aware that you are facing stiff competition. When you’re applying for a research program, the faculty wants to see if you’ve demonstrated an aptitude for research.

If you haven’t done any research, you’ll be at a disadvantage. Committees are looking for reasons to disqualify you because they usually have more applicants than openings (if they’re any good). If you’re willing to put in an extra year or two you could find a way to serve as a research assistant with a professor who will share publication credit and/or give you a reference. One enterprising undergraduate found a researcher to serve as her external thesis advisor; she knew her own professors weren’t strong enough as researchers to give her credibility.

I’d also encourage you to be sure you understand the way research really works in your field. The game is played very differently depending on whether you’re in social versus physical or biological science. In many cases you’re not working alone in a lab, ready to scream “Eureka!” when you look at the test tube or printout. You’re working as a member of a team, with competing priorities and contentious personalities. You’re definitely playing a game and it’s treacherous.

If you’re considering a return for a graduate program, especially an MBA, check out my irreverent back to school guide.

If you’d like to talk about opportunities in academia, I’d be happy to consult with you. I have an unusual combination of career change expertise and academic background. See my Services page for details.

Exchanging a job for a passion: A neurosurgeon’s story
John Seelmeyer, 9/12/2011

From Northern Nevada Business Weekly

Christopher Demers sat in a hospital room in 1996, waiting while his wife, Linda, gave birth to the couple’s first son.

Waiting and thinking, actually.

Waiting and thinking and preparing to make a breath-taking decision, all the more breath-taking because of the increased responsibilities that he would face as a father.

Christopher Demers prepared to chuck a successful, good-paying career in marketing and go back to school.

And not just any school. Medical school.

Today, Max, the son who was born that day, is a freshman at Reno High School. And Demers, who decided to start over, is starting over as a neurosurgeon in practice with Sierra Neurosurgery Group in Reno. For months before he sat in that hospital waiting room some 15 years ago, Demers had known that he needed to change direction.

You can read the rest of the story here. While Demers was (and probably still is) considerably younger than many readers of this blog, his story can be inspiring.

What made it work was that he chose a field where demand is so great that age discrimination doesn’t play a role. In some fields, a thirty-something professional would be considered too old for an entry level job. If Demers had decided to get a PhD in his early thirties, he would have been considered “older” and would not be considered for many university teaching jobs when he was ready to apply in his late 30s.

Additionally the path to the new career was well-defined and straightforward – even regulated. Once you jump through the hoops you are considered qualified.

Finally, Demers chose a field where he can be entrepreneurial. I know two lawyers who finished law school when they were consierably older than most of their classmates. One tried to find a job, but eventually ended up working for a corporation in a related field. Another opened her own practice, where she enjoyed success and found fulfillment.

To review services I offer for your own career transformation, click here.

Recently a LinkedIn post raised this question, “Do  I get an MBA right after graduating from college?”

I’ve taught in MBA programs, completed my own program, and advised dozens of corporate managers. Here’s what I’d say:

(1) Find out if you need the MBA degree. Every industry will be different. Some companies will respect only Ivy League MBAs so your local course will take a lot of time and money, but ultimately leave you with no more marketability than you had before.

(2) An Executive MBA will be very powerful for building connections and networks.

(3) If you’re considering a PhD, skip the MBA. Many doctoral programs will give you an MBA after a year or two, possibly requiring a couple of extra courses.

(4) A law degree lets you do just about everything an MBA does. It can be even stronger as a credential.

(5) Before joining a program, talk to recent graduates. Find out how the degree helped them (or didn’t).

Be very careful about choosing a program. I’ve written up a summary here, in a special report you can buy and download immediately:
http://www.MidlifeCareerStrategy.com/schoolbk.htm

There’s been a lot of buzz about online education and online degrees lately. More and more students are asking about online opportunities for adult education. If you travel a lot or have a crazy schedule (and who doesn’t these days?), it seems to be a no-brainer.

I’ve taught in many online programs and I’m happy to offer one-to-one coaching if you’re making some educational decisions.

Pros and cons of an online education

The positives

You can work on your assignments anywhere on the planet

You don’t have to get dressed, drive and park (or take a bus)

You may find yourself participating and learning more because you have more assignments to write

The negatives

You must be a visual learner with strong writing skills, to get the most out of an online program.

You rarely make connections or have opportunities for networking – a major benefit of any degree program

You usually have  deadlines every week or every other week and many universities are not flexible about meeting those deadlines.

However, your biggest challenge will involve choosing the right program. That’s more important than the online vs offline debate. the wrong program can actually cost you money – and maybe even a job. See

http://www.midlifecareerstrategy.com/schoolbk.html

If you are involved in a mid-life career change or a long job search, you may be getting advice to expand your horizons and try new fields. Recently the New York Times suggested that career changers explore the possibility of adjunct teaching. Read the full article here.

The article makes some good points.

First, teaching won’t pay a lot but it can broaden your resume. You’ll have some answers to a prospective employer’s question, “And what are you doing now?” Almost any paid employment will be better than staying home.

Second, you don’t always need an advanced degree or teaching experience. Some departments will welcome you when you just bring successful experience and at least a BA degree. You get support in putting your course together. Some schools even assign you a mentor to help out when you are new.

Third, you may be able to find new contacts and even clients.

However, I would add a few points.

First, never assume anything. Go ahead and apply. Well-meaning friends will say, “They won’t hire you” or worse. Find out for yourself. Informal networking is less effective in academia than any place I know (except maybe government jobs).

Second, tailor your resume to emphasize related experience in the field as well as any teaching, training or even speaking experience. If you’ve got somespare cash, you can hire a coach for an hour or two to help you revise your resume.

Third, you may decide you like teaching and want to pursue a full-time job. It’s very rare to move from adjunct to full-time in the same school. Ask around to see if others have made this move at a particular place where you are teaching. If few people have made this move, build up a portfolio of good course evaluations and apply elsewhere.

Fourth, if you are interested in higher ed teaching, you can’t afford to assume that all degrees are created equal. Academics are selective about degrees and credentials. Some non-traditional degree will be helpful when you stay within your company or even change jobs in your field but will not be recognized by academic institutions.

Finally, I often recommend adjunct teaching as a helpful activity during a job search or career change. If nothing else, doing something new will bring a new perspective to your life and career. Many professionals are energized by novelty.

However, teaching can be exhausting, especially at first. My first days teaching at a junior college left me wiped! After years of experience, teaching a night course left me both tired and too “up” to go to sleep right away.

And yes, you can make contacts but I wouldn’t count on them. Some adjuncts have had great luck: students hire them as consultants and colleagues expand their professional network. Others have zero success: their students are too junior to do much good and colleagues can be aloof and clique-y.

All in all, though, adjunct teaching is a useful addition to your between-jobs activity and I’d recommend checking it out. I made a major career change this way.

For information about returning to school as a student, go here.

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