It is not uncommon for someone to hit a bit of a roadblock in their career at one point or another. When this happens, the first thought many people have is that it may be time to go back to school in order to jump-start a new career or propel them forward in their current field. If you are someone who is considering going back to school, you likely know that there is a lot more that goes into this process than simply thinking about it. In order to head down the right path, you’re going to have to be sure about what you are hoping to accomplish. In order to do this, you need to answer some serious questions and be completely honest with yourself. Below are some of the things you should consider before you move forward and begin applying to educational programs.
Why are you thinking about going back to school?
This is often the first question people pose to themselves before they decide to go back to school. Why exactly is it important that you further your education? Are you hoping that you can get a better job? Are you vying for a promotion? Are you bored, looking for a way to escape your current situation? Make sure that whatever your reason is, it is a good one. Going back to school is no small decision and it is surely going to change your life in the future. Whether the change is for the better or the worse, however, it’s up to you and how much determination you have to achieve your goals.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
While you may know why you want to go back to school, you may not be entirely sure what it is that you hope to accomplish with this decision. If you are someone who needs to get your GED, your objective is going to be much clearer than someone who just knows they don’t want to remain in their current job. Choosing the right path for you is dependent on you having a vision of what you hope to do when you are done with your schooling.
Can you afford it?
This is probably the largest concern people have upfront when they are considering going back to school. After all, school can be expensive. On the other hand, it’s important to understand that there is plenty of help out there for you. Do plenty of research about financial aid and about how much money you are going to need realistically in order to accomplish your goal, whatever it may be. Student loans are not your only option. There are plenty of grants and scholarships that are available to people who want to return to school after being in the workforce.
Once you figure out what sort of cost you are looking at, consider whether your desire is worth the cost. Do you honestly think you will be able to justify the money spent in the long run?
Can your current company help?
While this certainly isn’t the case everywhere, there are many companies that will offer to reimburse their employees for the cost of obtaining higher education. While it would be nice if they did this just out of kindness, this is not the case. Your company stands to benefit greatly from you learning new skills and information. If your company is one that offers tuition reimbursement, why not take them up on it? You will get an education and likely a promotion and they will have an employee who can offer even more value. Do keep in mind, however, that many companies will require that you have a certain grade point average in order to qualify for tuition reimbursement.
What would it mean for you not to go back to school?
What finer investment to make than one in yourself? Additionally, it is incredibly common for people who have degrees to earn significantly more over time than those who do not. If you have things in your life that you want to accomplish, that are also going to require you to have a higher income than you currently do, can you really afford to not pursue higher education?
Are you at the right time in your life?
Every person’s life demands different things of them at different times. This means that you truly need to think about whether or not your life will allow for you to go back right now. Do you have the time you need? Will you be able to manage the stress of school on top of your already-busy life? Consider the things you may have to temporarily give up if you do decide to dedicate yourself to your education for a while.
Can you go to the proper school?
If you know what you want to pursue when you go back to school, you may have many choices when it comes to which schools you can attend. If this is the situation you find yourself in, you need to figure out which program seems as though it can offer you with what you need. On the other hand, you may also find that there are very few schools you can attend to get the degree you want. If this is the case, you may want to consider if there are any online programs you can enroll in as an alternative.
Do you have the support you will need?
While monetary support is important, so is the support of people in your life. You aren’t a kid anymore, and going back to school is likely going to be quite the adjustment after a sabbatical. Are their people in your life who will act as your cheerleaders throughout this process? If you have kids, will you have someone to take care of them while you are attending your classes? A good support system is extremely important when making a life-changing decision like going back to school.
Consider Enrolling at The PCD of GCC
If you have answered all of the questions above and you are still convinced that going back to school is what you want to do, it’s time to get started! If you live in the Montrose area, you have a fantastic educational institution right at your fingertips. The Professional Development Center of Glendale Community College offers a variety of courses that help you to work towards the degree you are seeking. Contact us today to learn more about our classes or to schedule an appointment with a member of our friendly and passionate staff. We look forward to helping you take this next big step in your life!