Baby Boomers Head for College, and Some Colleges are Ready for Them
The boomers-go-back-to-school trend is about to explode, but really you’d never know it from the colleges. Most are moving in baby steps, if at all, in terms of offering courses or preparing for the influx. This article, though–from the Dallas Morning News–profilesone institution that is actively trying to welcome boomers, and to train them for fields where they can find meaningful, or at least well-paying work. Richland College apparently now has 4,000 people in its ‘Emeritus’ program, and is in the midst of launching a new ‘Boomer Reboot’ program.
Kudos to them. Some boomers are going to be switching careers to find something more fun, some are going to be looking for interesting courses to fill their time, and some are just going to be looking for ways to make money because they can’t afford to retire and their first jobs are disappearing. All in all a real niche for the colleges to fill - but those who hesitate will see the new-but-not-young students headed elsewhere.
Carol D. O'Dell responds:
Posted: January 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm →
I am a young(ish) boomer who returned to college at 40 years old. My husband and I did it together, and at the “mature” ages of 44 and 48 we walked down the aisle together for the second time–this time in black caps and gowns.
I plan to return again for my masters. I paid for my education (hubby’s paid through work) and I consider that I’m “driving” my Lexux when I look at the diploma hanging on my wall because that’s about how much it cost.
Learning is integral to our health and well-being–and it sure beats flipping channels night after night. Alzheimer’s research has proven that using your brain is the best preventative there is.
I hope to have many more adventures–traveling and learning–and my first book, Mothering Mother: A Daughter’s Humorous and Heartbreaking Memoir came out this year–in my 46th year. And it’s only the beginnning.
Boomers are go-getters–there will be lots of stories about how we’ll revolutionize what it means to be 50, 60, 70+.
~Carol D. O’Dell
author of Mothering Mother
http://www.mothering-mother.com