Going Back to School at 30: Taking Classes Online While Working Full Time

Of the almost 20 million students attending colleges and universities in 2019, 7.4 million of them are over 25 years old, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. FinAid reports that 14.4% of college students are 30 years old and older. The number of adult college students continues to increase for various reasons. Some adults look to complete an undergraduate degree they weren’t able to finish. Others take new directions in their careers and need to establish new foundations. Working professionals who have experienced several years in the workforce may go back to school at 30 to advance their careers and increase their salaries.

Going back to school as an adult can provide impactful educational opportunities as well as expand career horizons. In this more technologically advanced era, returning to school as an adult is easier than ever before. Many online programs cater to the busy schedules of working professionals, while still equipping them for their next career move. AdventHealth University Online (AHU Online) offers programs for promising career paths that enable adult students to work full time while taking classes online.

Going Back to School as an Adult

Young college students often struggle with gaining experience while pursuing their education. Adults going back to school at 30 have the advantage of having already gained experience from their years of working. Some adults want a change in their work environment after working at the same job. Adults can return to school to learn a new set of skills and earn a degree to pursue a different career.

Other adults go back to school to expand their knowledge and refine their skills, staying up to date with the advancements in their fields. It’s vital in today’s technologically advanced workplace for employees to stay current with computer skills, problem-solving, and troubleshooting, while maintaining great communication skills.

A study conducted by CareerBuilder shows that about a third of employers have been raising their educational standards, hiring employees with bachelor’s degrees for jobs where high school diplomas once sufficed. Working adults with high school diplomas or bachelor’s degrees may need to go back to school at 30 and earn higher credentials to continue working in their fields. Employers want candidates to meet education requirements and also show an ability to change. By working toward master’s degrees and professional certificates, adult students demonstrate diligence, motivation, and a desire to improve their quality of work.

Some working professionals may be excellent employees but need an advanced degree or a professional certificate to receive a promotion. Going back to school at 30 or later enables adult students to pivot into new roles in their professions. By pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, particularly in a growing field, working professionals can move into leadership positions and earn higher salaries.

Challenges of Going Back to School at 30

While going back to school at 30 has many benefits, it isn’t without its challenges. Many traditional colleges and universities don’t cater to the busy schedules of working professionals. Adults relying on evening classes may need several years to complete the credits needed to receive a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. In many programs, students must attend and participate in class and dedicate time to complete assignments, study, and pass exams. The process of commuting to a college also poses a challenge for an adult student who may already be busy driving to and from work.

Finding a Balance

The demands of family, work, and school, which often leave working students feeling overburdened, are also challenging when going back to school at 30. Working adults considering going back to school need a realistic schedule that can be maintained. Adult students must review their lifestyles and mental health for the strain that going back to school may cause.

Making the Transition to Being a Student (Again)

In any new chapter of life, the time of transition can be demanding. Many adults going back to school at 30 and older can feel out of place and uncomfortable at first. Adults moving between the roles of working professionals and students should give themselves time to readjust to the college environment again. Adult students should embrace positivity and maintain their focus on achieving their academic goals.

Meeting the Financial Demands of Student Life

One of the biggest challenges of going to college at any age is finances. Working adults can feel financially burdened in their attempt to return to school. They should manage and track school expenses by budgeting for college and keeping track of student loans. Applications for grants and scholarships as well as other forms of national financial aid are available.

Most working adults can’t afford to sacrifice a salary for an education. It’s also likely that work and school requirements will collide at some point. Since classes will be extending knowledge and capabilities for their career, adult students should ask their employers about tuition reimbursements and the types of college courses that are eligible for funding. Some employers will pay for classes, but others may require the employees to pay up front and be compensated after completion of the courses. These benefits can help relieve some of the burden of going back to school at 30.

The Challenges of Traditional College

Going back to college as an adult often increases a salary and brings a sense of accomplishment. But traditional college classes may not coincide with a typical work schedule, and few people have the freedom to take a sabbatical or a leave of absence to pursue higher education. Attempting to earn a degree by completing classes while working can take several years, and for many people, it may seem like an impossible task. Adults going back to college can now consider creative educational options, like taking classes online.

Why an Online Program Is a Great Option

Taking online classes while working full time enables working adults to pursue their degrees with more convenient college schedules. Not all online programs are the same, and it’s important to research options before pursuing an online degree. The following are significant factors to consider:

• Are the classes self-paced or live with face-to-face interactions with faculty through communication software applications? Some programs offer a combination of both. Students should learn how the classes are structured and decide which types of learning are the most effective for them.
• Does the college offer online support? The college experience should include high-quality education and the option for identifying mentors and creating networking opportunities. Does the school offer tutoring; counseling; and access to qualified, experienced faculty? Faculty-to-student ratios are also important — students should be aware of class size and teacher availability.
• Are there options available to miss any classes due to work or family obligations? A student working a full-time job and juggling family commitments may miss a class. It’s important to know the absence policy and if a student can make up missed work.
• What’s the school’s testing policy? Will students be required to take tests on campus, or is testing also completed online? Online programs should offer testing with the same requirements for classwork — through remote access.
• Is an online program accredited in the field? A student interested in a professional certificate or degree should make sure that the institution is credentialed to offer the program that the student needs.

Careers for Adults Who Go Back to School at 30

While working adults may have to deal with the various challenges of going back to school at 30, there are many promising careers for adults pursuing higher education. A field that continues to grow is healthcare. Many career paths with high salaries in healthcare show projected growth over the next several years. Some career options for adult students are as follows:

• Healthcare management and administration
• Public health
• Managerial accounting and finance
• Nursing
• Marketing and planning in healthcare

By taking online classes, adults going back to school at 30 can receive their bachelor’s or master’s degree or a certificate that’ll enable them to pursue a career in one of these occupations. With experience, working adults can expand their practical knowledge and build upon their established foundations.

Taking Online Classes While Working Full Time

Adult students looking to expand their career horizons and expand their knowledge, particularly in the field of healthcare, have more options now than ever before. With many colleges and universities offering online classes, adult students can balance work and school. Students looking to advance their careers can take online classes while still working full time. Discover how you can go back to school at 30 by exploring AHU Online’s programs for promising career paths. AdventHealth University is a regionally accredited university, offering comprehensive health science education programs that are completely online. The virtual campus provides the support you need to succeed as an adult going back to school.

Recommended Readings

AdventHealth University Online, MHA vs. MBA: What are the Differences?

AdventHealth University Online, Healthcare Administration: Salary, Careers, and Education

AdventHealth University Online, The Fastest Growing Healthcare Careers

Sources

Chicago Tribune, “No College Degree? That’s a Growing Hurdle to Get Hired”

FinAid, Financial Aid for Older and Nontraditional Students

Forbes, “Going Back to College After Age 50 — The New Normal?”

National Center for Education Statistics, Fast Facts: Back to School Statistics

ThoughtCo, “Growing Industries to Consider If You’re Going Back to School”