Need Some outside opinions

[freethought]

This question is about the job market.
A while ago, I quit my job, sold my home and decided to start over. The occupation I was in was either working me to death or providing zero oppurtunity for advancement/promotion.
At 36 I decided to return to school. Kind of weird. First semester back the 19 and 20 year olds I was housed with thought I was a NARC!
I took some time off to work to build up cash. Now I am back hitting the books.
I have been wondering lately of the risks that I may have taken in doing this. I am not married and I only need to support myself.
I can't help but wonder what is going to the reaction of employers when I return to the job market. I'll be done with undergrad in a year and I am considering graduate level study.
But when I do return to the job market I tend to wonder if by taking this time to reeducate if I may have hung myself because of what my age will be.
Any thoughts? Anyone been in a similar situation?

[kittenpants]

1. what are you going to school for?

I admire you for going back and hope you're having fun.

[freethought]

2. I am studying accounting

Yeah, yeah I know. Accounting, how boring! I find it engaging and beyond that research I have done indicates that it will be an 'in demand' skill. So I could be finished just as the market gets good.

I am having some fun but I am being more disciplined in mys studies than I was years ago. I don't get wild though. I have kind of grown out of
Round Robins and beer funnels.

[Dookus]

3. I think it should be fine

In fact, even though you'll still have to start at entry-level accounting positions, I think employers would be more inclined to hire somebody with a work history and the stick-to-itiveness to go back to school at your age.

I think you'll do fine.

[freethought]

4. I hope so

This has been bugging me. I imagine going to an interview after all of this reeducation and having the interviewer point at me and laugh his ass off.

[MissB]

7. Not only that, but they'll probably prefer him/her

because he is mature.

[salin]

5. Not quite the same, but I went to grad school

in my 30s... came out on the other side in a situation where I was offered several jobs before I applied for them (that is, in conversation with professionals who then inquired to my availability... ) The difference was not just the additional education, but the work experience I acquired along the way. My suggestion is to get every bit of internship, and field experience as possible while in school. Seek out opportunities to build some interesting work experience and expertise that is related to your studies. Use your previous work experience to get these ed/work experiences while back in school - seriously - undergrads are not always reliable workers, so you could market yourself while in school to get these positions (internships, etc.) In turn, use those to build your resume and more importantly to build your network (for after graduation.)

Good Luck!

[Thor_MN]

6. You will have that piece of paper that says "been there"

I have been surprized at the number of places that think a degree is the be-all and end-all. My major is chemistry, but I've been working with computers since before college and that is what I am getting paid for now. However there are places that freak when they find out that my major was not computer science. Much of what I would have studied had I majored in compter science would be obsolete now, but some people (generally people that don't have a clue about computers, yet hire IT people) think that piece of paper is more important than having a brain.

There shouldn't be any reason to worry about obtaining a degree at any age.