5 answers
Ifeanyichukwu
Student
Lagos, Nigeria
1
Question
Asked
1036 views
I only have my secondary school level certificate and I am married with two children at 35 years of age. Now, I find it difficult to know what I am supposed to do even in career
I need to know what I should study if I go back to school at the university level and also want to know my career area in life
5 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey there,
Ifeanyichukwu, first of all, I want to say how inspiring it is that you’re considering going back to school and exploring your career options at 35. It’s never too late to start a new chapter, and your willingness to grow and improve is already a huge step forward. Many successful people started later in life—so you're in great company!
Before I get into it, I just want to tell you that my auntie got married early on in life so she left after college and durigg her life she encountered family problems and incomes when she lost her husband too, so at age 36 to be able to earn she started to continue her education in medicine, ofcourse the path is expensive she did get help along the way from others, loans she is payed by now because now she is about in her 40s and she is a dintist, and that has made her to love her decisions regardless. She has her own clinic as well now, newly built! So, Ofcourse you can do it, because age.... It's just a number we have given and living those numbers in How method is the decisions we take. 🤔 Hope that makes sense! 😅
1. Look at Your Existing Skills & Experience – Dina’s advice about using what you already have as strengths is so important. Your life experiences, problem-solving abilities, and responsibilities as a father can all translate into valuable skills in the workplace. You might have leadership, organization, communication, or even technical skills you haven’t thought about yet.
2. Think About Your Interests & Passions – Kazi’s point about identifying what you love to do is key. If you’re going to invest time and effort into a career, it should be something you enjoy and find meaningful. What topics naturally interest you? What problems do you like solving?
3. Consider Practicality & Family Balance – William and John both brought up great points about choosing a career that fits your lifestyle. With a family to support, you’ll need to consider job stability, income potential, and work-life balance. Careers like IT, healthcare, engineering, or teaching could offer solid opportunities with flexibility.
Now my further Advice & Pathways for you to Explore.
1. Identify Fields That Align With Your Strengths
If you're good at math, problem-solving, or technical work, consider engineering, IT, or skilled trades like electrical work, plumbing, or mechanical engineering. These fields are in high demand and often have shorter programs with good earning potential.
If you’re drawn to helping others, healthcare careers like nursing, medical technology, physical therapy, or even public health could be great. Some roles allow you to study while working in an entry-level position.
If you like teaching or working with people, you could consider education, counseling, or social work. Schools often need teaching assistants or support staff, which could help you gain experience while studying.
2. Explore Short-Term & Alternative Education Paths
University is great, but it’s not the only option! Trade schools, online certifications, and apprenticeships can get you into high-paying careers faster and with less debt.
IT fields, for example, offer certifications (like Google IT Support, CompTIA A+, or AWS Cloud Practitioner) that can land you a job in tech without a full degree.
3. Balance Education With Work & Family
Consider part-time programs, night classes, or online degrees that allow you to study while working. Many schools offer flexible options for adult learners.
Look into scholarships, grants, or employer-sponsored education programs to reduce costs. Some companies even pay for employees to go back to school.
4. Start Gaining Experience Now
You don’t have to wait until after school to start growing in your career. Look for entry-level jobs, freelance work, internships, or even volunteer opportunities in your field of interest. Even small steps can build your resume and confidence.
My friend, You’ve already taken the first step by asking this question, and that’s huuuuuge! The key is to take small, consistent steps forward—research different careers, explore training options, and maybe even try short courses to see what excites you. You are not behind, not at all man; you are on your own path, and your best years are still ahead!
If you’re not sure where to start, let me know what subjects or activities you enjoy, and I’d be happy to suggest more specific career paths for you! I would love to see you thrive towards your success and know we are here for you always mate! Good luck stay blessed and your family as well! 🤗
Ifeanyichukwu, first of all, I want to say how inspiring it is that you’re considering going back to school and exploring your career options at 35. It’s never too late to start a new chapter, and your willingness to grow and improve is already a huge step forward. Many successful people started later in life—so you're in great company!
Before I get into it, I just want to tell you that my auntie got married early on in life so she left after college and durigg her life she encountered family problems and incomes when she lost her husband too, so at age 36 to be able to earn she started to continue her education in medicine, ofcourse the path is expensive she did get help along the way from others, loans she is payed by now because now she is about in her 40s and she is a dintist, and that has made her to love her decisions regardless. She has her own clinic as well now, newly built! So, Ofcourse you can do it, because age.... It's just a number we have given and living those numbers in How method is the decisions we take. 🤔 Hope that makes sense! 😅
1. Look at Your Existing Skills & Experience – Dina’s advice about using what you already have as strengths is so important. Your life experiences, problem-solving abilities, and responsibilities as a father can all translate into valuable skills in the workplace. You might have leadership, organization, communication, or even technical skills you haven’t thought about yet.
2. Think About Your Interests & Passions – Kazi’s point about identifying what you love to do is key. If you’re going to invest time and effort into a career, it should be something you enjoy and find meaningful. What topics naturally interest you? What problems do you like solving?
3. Consider Practicality & Family Balance – William and John both brought up great points about choosing a career that fits your lifestyle. With a family to support, you’ll need to consider job stability, income potential, and work-life balance. Careers like IT, healthcare, engineering, or teaching could offer solid opportunities with flexibility.
Now my further Advice & Pathways for you to Explore.
1. Identify Fields That Align With Your Strengths
If you're good at math, problem-solving, or technical work, consider engineering, IT, or skilled trades like electrical work, plumbing, or mechanical engineering. These fields are in high demand and often have shorter programs with good earning potential.
If you’re drawn to helping others, healthcare careers like nursing, medical technology, physical therapy, or even public health could be great. Some roles allow you to study while working in an entry-level position.
If you like teaching or working with people, you could consider education, counseling, or social work. Schools often need teaching assistants or support staff, which could help you gain experience while studying.
2. Explore Short-Term & Alternative Education Paths
University is great, but it’s not the only option! Trade schools, online certifications, and apprenticeships can get you into high-paying careers faster and with less debt.
IT fields, for example, offer certifications (like Google IT Support, CompTIA A+, or AWS Cloud Practitioner) that can land you a job in tech without a full degree.
3. Balance Education With Work & Family
Consider part-time programs, night classes, or online degrees that allow you to study while working. Many schools offer flexible options for adult learners.
Look into scholarships, grants, or employer-sponsored education programs to reduce costs. Some companies even pay for employees to go back to school.
4. Start Gaining Experience Now
You don’t have to wait until after school to start growing in your career. Look for entry-level jobs, freelance work, internships, or even volunteer opportunities in your field of interest. Even small steps can build your resume and confidence.
My friend, You’ve already taken the first step by asking this question, and that’s huuuuuge! The key is to take small, consistent steps forward—research different careers, explore training options, and maybe even try short courses to see what excites you. You are not behind, not at all man; you are on your own path, and your best years are still ahead!
If you’re not sure where to start, let me know what subjects or activities you enjoy, and I’d be happy to suggest more specific career paths for you! I would love to see you thrive towards your success and know we are here for you always mate! Good luck stay blessed and your family as well! 🤗
Dina R. D'Alessandro, MS, RDN, CDN
Registered Dietitian
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Dina R.’s Answer
Hello! Thinking about going back to school or starting a new career can be quite challenging.
First of all, consider any and all of the skills and experiences you already have available to you and use these as your strengths once you start navigating your new path.
Next, visualize how you see your future. Do you want to work for yourself or someone else? What kind of benefits do you want/need? Does your profession require you to maintain certain credentials or continuing education (where you would have to set aside money every year or ask your employer if they could reimburse you for these expenses)?
I ended up going back to school in my mid-40s. I already had a bachelor's degree in the arts and wanted to pursue a master's degree in science. I scheduled many meetings first with different schools/programs to get a sense of how much time and money it would cost me to complete my degree, then I scheduled a few meetings with people already in the field (I used LinkedIn to find people I was already connected to or that could connect me to others) to learn more about the paths they took and where they ended up to be sure I was willing to make the sacrifice, if I needed to.
In the end, I didn't need to take out any loans, but I did ask my parents and my husband to support me financially while I went back to school. Maybe you already have some money saved or would have to ask for financial assistance, depending on how you decide to move forward. From start to finish, it took me nearly 5 years and now I work for myself in private practice and am also an independent contractor. I enjoy what I do, but it was definitely challenging and stressful to start all over again.
Figure out what kind of path you are interested in following and spend some time learning more about the fields you are interested in and wish to pursue. Perhaps you are already qualified for certain positions and can work while you go back to school to become a more desirable candidate should you want to move into a different field or ask for a promotion in the future.
First of all, consider any and all of the skills and experiences you already have available to you and use these as your strengths once you start navigating your new path.
Next, visualize how you see your future. Do you want to work for yourself or someone else? What kind of benefits do you want/need? Does your profession require you to maintain certain credentials or continuing education (where you would have to set aside money every year or ask your employer if they could reimburse you for these expenses)?
I ended up going back to school in my mid-40s. I already had a bachelor's degree in the arts and wanted to pursue a master's degree in science. I scheduled many meetings first with different schools/programs to get a sense of how much time and money it would cost me to complete my degree, then I scheduled a few meetings with people already in the field (I used LinkedIn to find people I was already connected to or that could connect me to others) to learn more about the paths they took and where they ended up to be sure I was willing to make the sacrifice, if I needed to.
In the end, I didn't need to take out any loans, but I did ask my parents and my husband to support me financially while I went back to school. Maybe you already have some money saved or would have to ask for financial assistance, depending on how you decide to move forward. From start to finish, it took me nearly 5 years and now I work for myself in private practice and am also an independent contractor. I enjoy what I do, but it was definitely challenging and stressful to start all over again.
Figure out what kind of path you are interested in following and spend some time learning more about the fields you are interested in and wish to pursue. Perhaps you are already qualified for certain positions and can work while you go back to school to become a more desirable candidate should you want to move into a different field or ask for a promotion in the future.
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
154
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Dear Ifeanyichukwu,
Learning is a life-long process. Each day is an opportunity for us to learn something new. Experiential learning is one of the most enduring forms of acquiring knowledge and skills. At 35, there are many things you are already good at doing. Your community may be facing challenges you are aware of. Providing solutions to some of these challenges could be a good starting point. Your interest in a solution to some of these challenges could be a good trigger to the kind of profession you would like to persue.
Obtaining a high school certificate means you already have the basic foundation to persue a professional career. The subjects you are good at point to a suitable career for you. Proficiency in maths, physics, chemistry & computer applications point to an engineering career in addition to persuing studies in pharmacy. Chemistry & biology provide the building blocks for a career in the medical sciences. Other professions are also available depending on your interests.
If your children are already in school, it's easier for you to resume your studies. Many institutions provide evening & weekend classes. At the end of the day, your choice should be something that interests you the most. Self-drive & discipline are key for success.
Learning is a life-long process. Each day is an opportunity for us to learn something new. Experiential learning is one of the most enduring forms of acquiring knowledge and skills. At 35, there are many things you are already good at doing. Your community may be facing challenges you are aware of. Providing solutions to some of these challenges could be a good starting point. Your interest in a solution to some of these challenges could be a good trigger to the kind of profession you would like to persue.
Obtaining a high school certificate means you already have the basic foundation to persue a professional career. The subjects you are good at point to a suitable career for you. Proficiency in maths, physics, chemistry & computer applications point to an engineering career in addition to persuing studies in pharmacy. Chemistry & biology provide the building blocks for a career in the medical sciences. Other professions are also available depending on your interests.
If your children are already in school, it's easier for you to resume your studies. Many institutions provide evening & weekend classes. At the end of the day, your choice should be something that interests you the most. Self-drive & discipline are key for success.
Kazi Rubayee
Oriental medicine health professional, Acupuncturist, Holistic health practitioner
82
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Kazi’s Answer
Many people reevaluate their goals and start fresh later in life, often finding success and fulfillment.
So, be positive and try to find out if it is possible to restructure and pull things together.
The first thing is to figure out what interests you, what you love to do, watch, or read. Focus on your strengths and assess your weaknesses.
Remote school and part-time work can be an option while you take care of kids and manage household responsibilities. These are valuable and can be considered as transferable skills
Try the local school, they need a lot of helping hands.
In education fields like nursing, allied health science, IT, teacher assistance/teacher also consider healthcare field.
The point is to start small and get involved in different opportunities, even volunteering, and see how it works for you in terms of managing your family time and work-life balance as well.
So, be positive and try to find out if it is possible to restructure and pull things together.
The first thing is to figure out what interests you, what you love to do, watch, or read. Focus on your strengths and assess your weaknesses.
Remote school and part-time work can be an option while you take care of kids and manage household responsibilities. These are valuable and can be considered as transferable skills
Try the local school, they need a lot of helping hands.
In education fields like nursing, allied health science, IT, teacher assistance/teacher also consider healthcare field.
The point is to start small and get involved in different opportunities, even volunteering, and see how it works for you in terms of managing your family time and work-life balance as well.
Thanks for your encouragement!
Ifeanyichukwu
John Butler
Fse
1
Answer
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Updated
John’s Answer
Well . The medical engineering FSE .
If family and being home most of the time is super important than in house at a hospital if you dont mind traveling then an OEM or ISO . be able to work on equipment mechanicaly so if you you can do this great a biggie . I would personaly go to a software major because if you have a grasp on software it will be an advantage to you trouble shooting . There is a mass shortage of people to work on medical equipment . You will make very good money . If you find a company you can do both school and work .
Good luck !
If family and being home most of the time is super important than in house at a hospital if you dont mind traveling then an OEM or ISO . be able to work on equipment mechanicaly so if you you can do this great a biggie . I would personaly go to a software major because if you have a grasp on software it will be an advantage to you trouble shooting . There is a mass shortage of people to work on medical equipment . You will make very good money . If you find a company you can do both school and work .
Good luck !
Thank you, John for the advice.
Ifeanyichukwu
John makes solid points!
Pros: Medical engineering is in high demand, pays well, and offers job stability. Plus, if you like working with your hands and problem-solving, it’s a great fit.
Cons: It may require travel if you work with an OEM or ISO, and troubleshooting complex equipment can be challenging without a strong grasp of software. Ifeanyichukwu: If you enjoy fixing things and want a stable career, medical engineering could be a great choice! However, since you’re starting fresh, you might also explore fields like IT, business, or healthcare—something that aligns with both job opportunities and your personal interests.
Dr H
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