Ask the Experts

E. Faith Ivery, Ed.D is President of Educational Advisory Services, Inc., which specializes in designing education plans for adult learners to complete college degrees efficiently and significantly reduce costs.

Dr. Ivery has also authored How To Earn A College Degree: When You Think You are Too Old, Too Busy, Too Broke, Too Scared. This guidebook will help you make choices about your life's direction and educational planning.

Question: I was a highway patrolman for 18 years, but had to retire about 10 years too early, due to an injury. My former employment was closely associated with the transportation industry, so I am quite familiar with trucking, rail, and intermodal transportation. I would like very much to gain employment in an operations/supervisory position, however most of these positions now require a bachelor's degree in business or transportation, which I don't have. I am looking at a good 3 plus years to obtain my degree. Is it too late for me? Would a future employer look at me as being too old? (I'm 44.) What would you suggest? - Jon

Answer: Jon, there are over 2.5 million adults going to college - you won't be alone in your efforts to earn your college degree. It can be done. Research schools that will grant college credit for work/life experiences. This process is usually termed portfolio credit. There are hundreds of colleges/universities that award such credit to adult learners. There are testing programs and other options to evaluate your prior learning towards your degree. Usually graduation from a police academy also gives college credit. If all your background is used to its full potential, you may only need 1-2 years of actual college work to complete a bachelor's degree in business. Finding the best-fit college for your needs is essential. - Faith

Question: Hi! I'm a 35 year old mother of three boys. One of my children was diagnosed with major (as in outrageously expensive) medical problems five years ago and I left college with only a few classes remaining for a B.A. in child development. My income has been limited to approximately $50,000.00 a year in order to qualify my child for state programs (I stopped working) to pay for the annual RX costs ($100,000.00+ year). In California, this income range barely meets living expenses- and I live in a cheaper area!

I'm seriously considering returning to college to pursue a new degree- a B.N. in nursing. I've actually registered at the community college for Fall to take some prereq's now that the kids are all in school. I've determined that the original degree I was pursuing will not provide an income level satisfactory to my needs and I have a lot of lost time to make up for. I have approximately five years before my son's medications will cease and then I can return to work. It will take me four full time years for the BSN degree. My question is, with four years of college already completed and $20,000.00 in loans still outstanding, would completing a new degree in nursing financially pay off in the long run? Will 40 years old be too old to expect a properous career? Thank you. - Shellie

Answer: Shellie, there is a high demand for nurses, so your age should not be as much a restriction, as with other professions, to find a job. You should be able to transfer many of your credits that you have already earned - especially as general education credits and general elective credits. You could start as an RN and then obtain employment with an organization that offers tuition assistance and complete your remaining courses for a BN degree using this employee benefit. I'd also get some career counseling and "testing" at your local community college to see if nursing is the right direction for you - not just an alternative. Also, talk to nurses and those organizations hiring nurses to ask if your age upon completing your degree will be an issue to obtaining a job in your new field of work. There are areas in the nursing profession that require "specialties" and pay higher salaries for those skills - operation room, ICU, pediatrics, and others. - Faith

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