Hi all. I'm thinking about maybe returning to uni for grad school and I'm in my mid-30s. Right now I'm employed FT and I've been at this place for 6 years now. While there's nothing wrong with my current employment, which I do enjoy most of the time, I felt this passion to do something and wanted to change careers so hopefully I can make a difference in the community and the people I work with. I know some people told me I'm crazy to leave my steady employment doing what I enjoy especially in this economy but it's draining me already mentally and spiritually. The money isn't too great since it's a non-profit org. but I'm not really in for money. Fortunately, I have a spouse who also works FT and makes a good living. We can relocate for school and he can either take a train or drive down to his job since his company is pretty flexible. So, I'm not worried about this and I always wanted to go back to school. But it has been a long, long time since I've been in school (out for 7 years now) so it'll be an re-adjustment for me and I plan to work PT around my school schedule which is mostly nights to pay any living and school expenses. Should I go for it or stay at my job in this recession? I don't know if I will have a job if I do leave for grad school and actually graduate from school.
Can you go part time for a semester or two and decide whether it's for you? You can sign up as a non-degree seeking student and take a couple of classes. I would also recommend talking with the department chairperson and the placement office about employment opportunities if that's your greatest concern. I have seen a lot of people go back to graduate school for career changes who ended up stuck as a result of not being able to get a job. I think the most important reason to go is if you really want to learn about the field you chose and feel you would get something out of it that way regardless of whether you end up with a different job as a result. Unfortunately, these days a degree isn't a guarantee of anything but a credential.
ETA: I think that it's a good potential idea, so I'm not trying to dissuade you so much as say "Proceed with caution but definitely move forward".
I agree with Dune about potentially going to school for one class only for a term or two. This would give you an idea about your ability to handle the classes, and would also make it more likely that they would take you on as a grad student.
This leads to my first though which has to do with your likelihood of getting into grad school. I'm sure that you are an able and intelligent person but be aware that when the economy falls apart then suddenly everyone returns to school. When I applied for grad school they were happy to have me (A average, competent researcher) but if I had applied for the next term (with everyone else in 2001 after high tech died) then I wouldn't have had a chance. At that time they were only taking students that had A+++ averages with scholarships lined up and so forth. So, it may be more worthwhile to check into entrance requirements before committing too much.
Also, for your grad school would you be taking a degree with a supervisor and a big thesis? If so, your biggest hurdle is finding someone to take you on as they get really picky when the economy is bad.
My advice is go part time in the evenings. Don't quit a job, especially if you like it for an unknown.
I would say it depends--if this is your passion and what you really want to do, I'd say go for it. Is there any way you can keep your current job part time while going to school? That way you kinda get the best of both worlds?
I agree with those who say to try it part-time. That was what I did and I did eventually quit to go full-time, but I wouldn't have had to. In fact, see if you can go part-time the whole distance, unless you're in a hurry. I wasn't, but the further I got in the program, the more I hated my job, so I found part-time work on campus instead.