At this campus, students' average age is 31. Their stories are inspiring.
What's the image that springs to mind when someone says "college student"? It's hard to avoid pop culture tropes that fixate on late-stage adolescents living in dorms. In this version, college is a stressful but fun transition from high school to adulthood.
Yet that stereotype ignores nearly a quarter of the 20 million students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities. Some 4.4 million of them are age 30 or older, and this cohort is expected to show the fastest growth over the next decade.
These older students' college experience isn't about beer pong, an overseas semester in Italy, or texting mom and dad for advice. For undergraduates in their 30s and beyond, college is far more likely to be spartan and part-time. Think of it as as earnest attempt to redefine horizons after a decade or more of battling against adversity.
You can find a lot of older learners at Metropolitan State University, in St. Paul, Minn. The average student age here is 31. Some 61% of students are part-time, generally because they are juggling college ambitions with full-time jobs. They include Army veterans, the children of Somali immigrants and a wide cross-section of working parents.
I visited Metro State last week, eager to learn more. The school's career services director, Bill Baldus, invited me to talk with students, faculty and administrators about the college-to-career pathway. Our time together started with me on stage, sharing LinkedIn expertise about local-area skills gaps, as well as some of my own work about the importance of creativity, curiosity and empathy as workplace strengths that can't be automated.
Everything kicked into higher gear as we moved into freewheeling conversations with alumni and current students. Here are four personal stories that made deep impression on me.
- Crystal Spanjers tried an expensive private college for a few terms right after college, but left when her debt load became unsustainable. As a working mother, she's built solid expertise in debt collection and customer success. For years, she's seen leadership opportunities that might be available if she had a college degree. She regrouped a few years ago, adding evening classes in English literature at Metro State to her weekly routine. She recently earned her bachelor's degree -- which opens new promotion opportunities.
- Anthony Galloway credits Metro State's anthropology program with deepening his critical thinking skills and teaching him the power of empathy. Now he's coaching a wide range of Minnesota school systems about how to do a better job of establishing racial equity. At one of his presentations, wary members of the audience greeted him with chilly stares. By the time he was done, they had uncrossed their arms and engaged in his message. Several even invited him to join their ice-fishing groups.
- Richard Bailey (gray suit in photo; back to camera) spent 22 years in the U.S. Army, including eight years as a mortician. Now he's at Metro State, taking classes in human resources and looking to start the next chapter of his career in corporate setting, probably specializing in recruiting or employee benefits.
- Amira Hussein's first shot at college was turbulent. (That's her at the far left of the photo above.) At the urging of her Somali immigrant parents, she enrolled in pre-nursing classes, but didn't feel a connection to the field. Since then, she has regrouped, tapping into her love of books as she nears completion of an English literature degree. She's also earned certification to teach English as a foreign language and is considering doing so in wealthy parts of the Mideast. If she does, that will be a stepping stone toward her long-term goal: being self-sufficient enough to return to Somalia and open a school for disadvantaged children.
Even when life doesn't unfold in a straight line, the opportunities to make an impact still exist. If you've arrived at college at a later stage in life with a bold goal in mind -- it would be great to hear from you in the comments section below.
Quality Control Manager and Corporate Trust Officer at Computershare U.S.
5 年I am a 2005 graduate and Metro State help shaped my career by instilling the importance of diversity and inclusion when planning and making business decisions. My professors were top-notch! The principles and philosophies I learned have helped me excel in my professional career. One of my main priorities is to hear every employees voice as a valid contributor to innovation and problem resolution. I am grateful my company has a higher educational program in place where a portion of the tuition cost is paid by the company and for giving me the opportunity and flexibility to attend a few classes over my lunch period.
Professional Speaker, Transformer of Lives and Thinking, Leadership Development Strategist at Capturing Kids Hearts - CEO Founder & Director of Boys With A Purpose an Afterschool Mentoring Program for young boys.
5 年I went back at age 38 to get my teaching degree. It has changed my life. Go for it!
Student at Metro State University
5 年I struggled with school and jobs at the same time after high school for my first degree at Normandale community college. However, it was still difficult to switch industries with just one associate's degree and no experience. I always intended to come back for more schooling later, but realized with the advice of places I interviewed at that there was no reason to wait. My second experience at Normandale was different as I took part in internships and qualified for financial assistance. This has given me a start in experience, but also gave me a new opportunity, Metropolitan State University. Through its partnership with Normandale, I was able to easily transition into continuation of my education for a bachelor's degree. It is with the advice and help of both peers, teachers, and my advisor that I now have an opportunity to continue further and go for a graduate degree. Having multiple campuses available and evening classes made all the difference me. Going to Metropolitan State University was the right decision for me.
I started attending Metropolitan State University around 2012-2013 taking one class at a time. I remember my first class was the Metro 101: Your Academic Journey. This class was an eye opening for me because it made me think deep of my education goals and encouraged me to set goals that were attainable . At the end of this class, the professor made everyone to create an educational goal sheet for short and long term planning. As I begun to write mine, I was realizing that this planning was something I was missing in order to achieve my educational goals. This class was a wakeup call for me to put more effort in my schooling and get my bachelor’s degree as soon as possible. However, change takes time so I had to adopt to some new schedules and new habits. Returning back to college as a mother of two and a business owner was definitely challenging so I was only able to climb up the ladder of my own success at my own pace. At first I was not persistent in taking classes every semester because I was not mentally ready yet Therefore, I was not fully engaged in my education at that time so I skipped some semesters without taking any classes. As I took classes here and there and with good grades, I experienced a horrible life changing situation in Dec. 2013 during my final week. I separated with my ex-husband and this put my educational goals that I set for myself back immediately. I took a long break from school and was developing myself and learning new skills towards a fulfilling career. In 2016, I started what I didn’t finish in 2013 but was still cautious so I was a part time student. I came back with a rejuvenated mindset that no matter how long it takes I am going to graduate and be proud that I have finished what I started. Overall I am very happy that I have the options at Metro to take courses online, weekends or evenings to work with my schedule. This really made it easy for me to accomplish my goal. Now I am very excited that I only have a year left to graduate with a bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management and Minor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. My achievements so far is first with God’s help, my effort and persistent, adaptation to new habits for success, having resources and of course setting my attainable goals. I would like to motivate all single mothers out there that you can do anything you put your mind to it. You just need to focus and come up with your own plan that works best for you. “ life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” – Charles R. Swindoll
Bilingual SUD/Mental Health practitioner
5 年My Experience at Metro State was great, less expensive, great instructors, and the right university for adults that wants to continue their education. I enjoyed the flexibility of the classes (Online and Campus) which allowed me to work and go to school at the same time. It gave me the opportunity to gain more experience and built my knowledge in the field of Human Services. Upon obtaining my BSA degree in Psychology and a Minor in Disability Studies, I applied for a position and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with people.