I am currently going back to school to achieve my first undergraduate degree. I waited to do this and though I have been very fortunate to have two very good careers prior to going to college, I don't recommend taking this route. In hindsight, I realize how much college would have benefited me in life and just how much energy is required if one is to really get anything useful from an education. Granted, being an "unconventional" student has it's advantages. First of all, this is not my first time away from home and so the temptations that befall younger students do not apply; Second, I am doing this of my own choice not by parental force so my devotion is higher than some that might be in that situation; Lastly, I know what it is like to work in a career and I know specifically what it is like for me so I am better equipped to examine my choices and make a truly educated decision about the route I choose to take. So, why would I do this differently if there are so many advantages to going to college later in life??? Well, some of the experience that helps me to make educated decisions also hinders me from taking a leap, if you will. I have also found so many other benefits for myself in terms of my own issues with things like discipline and other personal challenges that I know would have served me well in years past had I been forced to deal with these things at an earlier age. I think that maybe a happy medium could be achieved by allowing young people the opportunity to work in internships or co-op type positions for a few years after high school before going to university. So many students I encounter chose a path based on money or family connection and find in their senior year during their first co-op that they HATE the work itself, but they feel stuck. Many of my friends went the conventional route of college straight out of school and have always hated their careers. I say work for a while, not too long, and then go to college. In point of fact, at age 18 your frontal lobe hasn't even developed completely, and by the way, this is the part of the brain used for things like memory, judgment, problem solving, and impulse control!
Main Points:
1. Go to work for a while and see what it's like before going to college.
2. Do a co-op or internship early in your education.
3. Do your research about the career you are interested in, Google is your friend :-)
4. Shadow someone who is in your career of choice, or at least interview them about their job.
5. Try on some different hats, you might be very surprised to find out who you really are and what you really like after all.
