A career coach, who penned this article for Forbes, gets asked by her clients (chiefly women) regularly about whether going back to school is the right choice for them. Among the most common reasons she's identified from mid-career professionals who are contemplating doing so:
- I'm at a dead end in my career and want to start over.
- I hate my job and don't know what else to do.
- I'm not earning enough money in my current career or business.
- My new business is not making it, and I need a way out.
The author, Kathy Caprino, counsels her clients who are contemplating investing in more education to consider the decision from every possible angle and to research thoroughly what type of return on investment (ROI) another degree may (or may not) bring them.
Speaking from her own experience to go back to school mid-career, she urges them to ask themselves the following questions, and to examine their answers carefully:
- What do you believe another degree will give you – have you researched your potential new career path and its ramifications carefully?
- What will it cost you – emotionally, financially, and professionally and personally?
- Do you have the necessary support to make it a success – from family, your partner, or friends?
- Do you really need to jump ship on your current career, to be happier and more successful – have you done everything you possibly can to improve your situation?
- Is your business failing? If so, is it another degree that you need, or perhaps enhanced business savvy?