Proud to be an adult student
Walter Pearson
Adult Higher Education Consulting, Editor - Journal of Continuing Higher Education
“I finished my degree as a working adult.” I used to say this regularly to in-coming adult students to make sure that they know that whatever preceded this try at learning as an adult, there were no limits in front of them.
We had recruited a new adult student who was working at a high level in one of the major local companies. He did not want to be listed in any directory and was resistant to any student honors we wished to bestow upon him. He went on to graduate and rose to be the CEO of that company. He now serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for that college. Why did he wish his student status to be a secret?
Sometimes, we approach life as an adult student in college from a background of prior failure. The first attempt at college that was not successful. Sometimes, we want time away to do something we viewed as more important and must come back when working, doing the difficult dance of balancing work and study.
Either way, the road to a degree as an adult is in many ways much more meaningful than that of a traditional student.
To convey this, let’s look at just a few who completed their degree as a working adult:
George Washington Carver started college at age 29 and had to work while studying.
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Stephen Spielberg dropped of college in 1968. He finished his degree in 2002.
Oprah Winfrey dropped out of college to pursue a media career and finished her degree at age 32.
James Franco finished his degree at age 30.
Venus Williams finished her degree at age 35.
I invite you to add your story and nominate others to be included in this list of distinguished adult students.
Director of Marketing & Communications at Northbrook Park District
1 年Hi, Walt! I am so appreciative of the work you did for adult learners at Loyola University Chicago. I started there in 1985 and finally went back over 30 years later to complete my undergraduate degree at SCPS. Thinking of starting my masters this fall too!
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1 年I finished my Masters's Degree at age 52 and am an adult learner, earning my degrees while working full time and having an active family life. There were no reputable online schools, and I had to go to school in the evenings and take weekend courses. There is always light at the end of the tunnel! Keep moving forward; the more you know, the more you grow!
Seattle University’s Executive Leadership MBA program: Discover the leader you were meant to be.
1 年I flunked out of college first time around at age 20, lots of starts and stops till I was 33, then completed Bachelor's at 40. Cried a lot along the way thinking I was too "old", then continued on to earn two masters degrees (ages 43 and 50) then earned doctorate at age 58, having completed a dissertation on adult undergraduates' experiences. Been teaching adult learners throughout!
Exploring! University Senior Leader, Higher Ed Consultant
1 年Finished my first masters at 39, my doctorate at 43, and a second masters at 48 -- working adult -- never too old to keep learning, growing, developing.
Innovative problem solver with experience in higher education. healthcare, and leadership.
1 年I finished my Masters at 35 and my PhD at 44.