cross-posted from: linux.community/post/4052877 don’t give me the it’s never too late bs. Life happens, people have jobs, debts and rent to pay. Going back to school when you’re employed means debt, earning way less or nothing during your bachelor or master, stress, opportunities you’re not aware of because you’re simply not at your workplace anymore, unpaid overtime during those 2 to 3 years… the money you lose is more than what the bachelor / accreditation costs. When does it start being a stupid idea? Is it when you’re 30? 40? 50?

I’m 39 and feel like it’s definitely too late for me. I’d be 42+ by the time I’m done and with the way the economy is and the job market in general I don’t think there would be any positive for me to go through that expense. I basically just missed the boat, all my friends went to school for computer science when they were ~20 so they’re safe now and make an absolute killing. If I were to try that now I’d just join the like millions that can’t find work in that field… For the last 5 years every single day the news has been “omg a recession is coming, it’s coming, it’s definitely coming like tomorrow! Be afraid, it’s coming!” So I never left my shitty factory job, but now I just feel stuck…

The time is going to pass regardless. Take some courses at a community college and test the waters. Maybe you’ll end up with a cert in something that interests you. Does your shitty factory job do any kind of tuition reimbursement?