No, not at all. Particularly now. The economy being what it is, all bets are off in terms of what you should and shouldn't do. If going back to school and taking an unpaid internship will help you achieve your career goals, you should go for it.
Don't let the fact that you'll be around younger people stop you. Plenty of people in their twenties (and even later) change careers, go back to school, go to med school, join the Army, join the Peace Corps, bail on their career as a lawyer to go teach English in Sri Lanka, etc. As long as you're pursuing your dream, that's all matters. Plus, everyone knows that it's rough out there these days. The important thing is that you're doing something towards achieving your goals and getting a job. It's not like you're living in at home and playing video games all day while your mom fixes you a grilled cheese with the crusts cut off.
27 isn't old. Think about it: the people you'll be in school with are only a handful of years younger than you. Back when I was in college, I always admired the older students. They were so focused, and weren't staying up all night drinking or skipping class in order to finish a level in Halo. This was their fresh start or second chance. They were focused on learning and getting to where they want to be in life. For many people, 18 is far too young to be going to college. So many people burn out, flunk out, or just drift through the four years with zero life goals. You've had this extra time to think about what you want to do and are now making strides towards achieving your dreams. If you ask me, the fact that you've actually enrolled in school and are looking at internships is pretty admirable. So many people just talk about doing stuff. You sir or madam, are getting stuff done.
Finally-- Who freaking cares what people think? You'll be the one laughing when that internship scores you a sweet job.
Don't let the fact that you'll be around younger people stop you. Plenty of people in their twenties (and even later) change careers, go back to school, go to med school, join the Army, join the Peace Corps, bail on their career as a lawyer to go teach English in Sri Lanka, etc. As long as you're pursuing your dream, that's all matters. Plus, everyone knows that it's rough out there these days. The important thing is that you're doing something towards achieving your goals and getting a job. It's not like you're living in at home and playing video games all day while your mom fixes you a grilled cheese with the crusts cut off.
27 isn't old. Think about it: the people you'll be in school with are only a handful of years younger than you. Back when I was in college, I always admired the older students. They were so focused, and weren't staying up all night drinking or skipping class in order to finish a level in Halo. This was their fresh start or second chance. They were focused on learning and getting to where they want to be in life. For many people, 18 is far too young to be going to college. So many people burn out, flunk out, or just drift through the four years with zero life goals. You've had this extra time to think about what you want to do and are now making strides towards achieving your dreams. If you ask me, the fact that you've actually enrolled in school and are looking at internships is pretty admirable. So many people just talk about doing stuff. You sir or madam, are getting stuff done.
Finally-- Who freaking cares what people think? You'll be the one laughing when that internship scores you a sweet job.
Go for it! I have tons of classmates much, MUCH older than you but they are now back in college and trying to finish a degree.
School will give you some time to figure out what the next step in your life would be while the economy is not so bright and sunny. If finances is a problem, apply for an on campus job or scholarships... Tough thing but that's what I'm doing and I pay 10 times the resident rates because I'm an international student with no immediate support from my family. (I have no idea how I get by these days but I still consider myself really lucky.)
Don't let your age discourage you from having new goals and dreams in life. You'd be surprised to find out there are 70+s out there doing school. Don't wait until then though! ;p
Best of luck!
I absolutely NEEDED to read this today...thank you!!
I went back to school at 30. I was also worried about being the oldest one in class and I am happy to report that I am not. In fact, one of the guys in my budgeting class is in his late 50's. You are never too old to go back to school or to do something to better yourself. Go for it!
I say watch SUZIE ORMAN's money class on PBS first. She just discussed this issue and said that most likely thats the wrong choice to make, because you have to stand in your truth and understand that even if you got a degree, you may still not find the job you want due to the bad economy, plus you will just accumulate more student loan debt. PLEASE WATCH THAT SHOW before making that decision. That lady knows what shes talking about!
Eh, I don't think I agree with that. Everyone has a different path. What if you meet someone through the internship that leads to a job? I agree about the debt part, but being unemployed means racking up debt as well.
Sure, at age 27 you need to be thinking about things you might not have had to at 18. Like, for instance, that you have to work and go to school while also working for free at an internship. But as long as you're working towards a goal, it's better than giving up.
Sweetheart...listen to me. I am 36 years old and this year I just enrolled back into university. I already have a graduate degree, but took 10 years off raising children and am now in the middle of a divorce. My degrees are not going to get me anywhere so I am back in undergrad...with 18 year olds! I look around and think "holy crap, that was me, HALF MY LIFE AGO!!" If I can do it...you can too. Trust me.
Sweetheart...listen to me. I am 36 years old and this year I just enrolled back into university. I already have a graduate degree, but took 10 years off raising children and am now in the middle of a divorce. My degrees are not going to get me anywhere so I am back in undergrad...with 18 year olds! I look around and think "holy crap, that was me, HALF MY LIFE AGO!!" If I can do it...you can too. Trust me.
I went to college for the first time at 37. I got my associates 2 weeks to the day before I turned 40. I even did a study abroad program. I have enjoyed my time in college, no matter the ups and downs of life. I am about 3 months away from my bachelors. I have been working an internship for almost 2 yrs. It is all worth it. Do it!
I am currently in college and 30 years old, applying for internships for this summer. Nobody cares how old you are! My classmates are, for the most part, in their early to mid-20s, but there are few that are also in their 30's, 40's, 50's and above. Everyone respects us who are older and prospective employers might find that you are more attractive because you have the ambition to go back to school and therefore, are more dedicated.
However, do not go back to school just because you don't know what else to do and I agree with what b said in the comment above -- if you are thinking grad school, make sure you go into a program that will provide you with an assistantship so you don't pay tuition. A higher degree does not guarantee a job and you don't want to be saddled with college loan debt.
These posts are awesome...I'm 27 and chose accounting but I want to go back for computer science because you can't get a job in accounting without a CPA...or some serious connections....going back will allow me to make those connections now.