Out of the Workforce but Want to Go Back for a 2 Year Medical Certification

I just started working my first, real professional job in twenty two years. I'm 47, and the person who hired me (she's 39) stated she was thrilled with my age as hiring a young person fresh out of college usually requires a much longer learning curve. That is, even though I may need to be trained in how to do the work, I already know how to be professional, discreet, dress, write and speak appropriately, etc. So that's an advantage to an employer for sure.
Just make sure there are plenty of job opportunities available in whatever certificate you pursue, and go to a REAL college, a local community college or university. Don't let one of those for profit "medical career" schools sell you a high cost, worthless education.

Don't even worry about discussing your age in interviews. It's illegal for them to even bring it up. Study up on typical interview questions, the subtle ways some unethical interviewers try to get around the legalities, and brainstorm (or work with a coach) to prepare answers that don't answer the question but stop short of saying "You know that's completely illegal, right?"

Your "medical field" term though is definitely a bit vague. There are tons of options, from administrative work (billing/coding) to positions in X-ray or other procedures, to medical assistant type positions. Go for it! But do explore the opportunities in your own geographic area.

I'd hire a more mature worker over a millennial every day of the week.
Education is never a waste.

My SIL is in her mid-50s, and has no training in any field. She was a SAHM until her divorce.

Recently she completed a course to be a dental assistant. She's having a hard time finding a permanent job, but she's still looking.

Her major hurdles are:

1. She was a lot less familiar with computers, smartphones, tablets, social media, Excel, etc, than the rest of the class (which consisted of mostly kids who were 18, 19, and young 20-somethings). Of course, that's not a blanket statement about 50-somethings. Many of us in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s are very comfortable with computers and have excellent technical expertise. I'm just saying that because my SIL hadn't used a computer in a long, long time (decades), she wishes she had taken some computer classes prior to enrolling in the dental assistant course. My dh and I bought her a tablet because she didn't have a laptop, or smartphone, and I basically had to teach her how to use the tablet (wi-fi vs data, apps, email) from the very beginning (including how to turn it on). So that's a consideration: careers of this type require using the office software, emailing customers, using databases, operating complicated computerized equipment (my SIL has learned to enter all the patient's info into the computers, and use the computerized equipment for xrays, etc). She mentioned to me how completely different it was from when she used to take her kids to the dentist when they were little. But she learned quickly and graduated with honors!

2. Another issue is that it's not easy for my SIL to move. She isn't finding jobs in her small town, and doesn't have the money for gas to travel to a larger city for a job. If your area has lots of medical offices, or if you can travel easily, then that makes things easier. She found that the 19 and 20 year olds in the class weren't as settled down - many of them were in temporary roommate-sharing situations, or staying with friends, or didn't have families, and my SIL heard them saying things like "oh, I think I'll go stay with my aunt, she lives in a much bigger city and I can find a job there." They don't have "stuff" (a house, furniture, kids in school, etc) and it means they can just throw their backpacks in a car and go stay with friends while they job hunt. My SIL is divorced, has visitation to consider, an apartment lease - she just can't pick up and go where the jobs are. Plus she doesn't have the time to commute for a long time. Some of those younger people in the class can commute for hours - they have no one to rush home to make dinner for, put to bed, get ready for school in the morning, etc. So she's trying to find a job close to home and it's difficult.

I don't mean to discourage you - I'm just telling you the 2 roadblocks my SIL has encountered. She's considering taking a job with a temp agency. However, when she did her training near the end of her course in actual dentists' offices, she found out that every office has different software, different computer programs, and being a temp means you have to constantly be exposed to very different computerized systems and learn them fast.

She has not found that being in her mid-50s has been a deterrent. It's just the computer familiarity and not being able to travel very far (or move) to find a job have been her issues. Actually she found that being more "adult" was beneficial. There were many strict rules in her course (no artificial nails, no jewelry while in class or on duty, no long nails, hair worn in a certain way, a dress code, etc). Many of the younger students really balked at removing their ear gauges, and some acted as though their lives were going to be ruined at the horror of not being able to have their gel nails and piercings! She understood the safety aspect and complied and her instructors appreciated her maturity. Some of the younger, immature kids who dropped out seemed to think that they would just get to hang out in an office with friends, have coffee breaks, and occasionally answer the phone. When they saw the course work, they bolted for the door. Again, my SIL went into the course expecting to work hard, and her instructors appreciated that as well.

Hope this is helpful! Good luck!

I went back to school in my early 50's. The only thing I can say is that I wouldn't do it if it's going to cost you a fortune or if you are going to have to take out a huge loan -- like over $20 thousand.

Because the truth is, you have minimal time left in which to earn money and pay back the loan, and a job isn't guaranteed. So you don't want the training to cost more than you are likely to earn.

There IS a time at which you are too old for some things. I only figured out that truth a couple of years ago. 50 is NOT the new 30. What a crock of sh*t. (Just wait, you young people.) Sure, they are not allowed to ask your age, but age discrimination is real, so if you look your age or older, it might be a factor.

But if you can do it pretty cheap, like at a community college, then it won't be a waste.

The woman who recently did my ultrasound had to be in her late 50's early 60's. My dental hygienist is older as well. I think as long as you can be professional, communicate very well with people, take on new tasks and be able to get up to speed on any of the technology you'll be using...you'll be fine. Employers may or may not want to higher the younger person, they may not like the younger person for whatever reason. You have a lot of life experience. Don't highlight your concerns about your age when interviewing, rather if it come up, talk about how you see it as more of a strength.

i have definitely found it much more difficult to find work in my 50s, but i don't have any sort of degrees or certifications that make me more marketable.
despite the laws in the workplace, of course age discrimination is a real thing (or laws about it wouldn't be necessary) so yeah, lots of places WILL want someone younger. not all, though. some are smart enough to know that we older gals generally have a more calm, balanced and worldly attitude to bring to the job. and we know how important it is to be on time, correctly groomed, and professionally courteous. so don't let the age thing discourage you.
but i absolutely would not want to go far into education debt at this stage of my life. i'm trying to put more away, not dig the hole deeper. so the pivotal question to be answered here is how much it will take to get the certification you want. if you've got the money tucked away for it, i think it's a dynamite idea. if you're going to have to take out a bunch of loans, you might want to re-strategize.
khairete
S.

In a medical field? Perhaps you are unaware how completely vague that description is?

Our professional staff is generally recruited from colleges but some are not spring chickens, they just happened to have just graduated. These are specialty degrees and not something you can earn in two years.

The answer really depends on what you are looking at.

I don't think age is a huge deal. I am more curious what kind of job you want and does this certification qualify you or do you need experience? Do these jobs exist near you, do they pay ok and are they hiring? I would just make sure you are qualified because obviously it would suck to spend the money and time on this then not get the job. I am so proud of any SAHM who wants to go back and pursues it. Great job!

What type of certification?

if you're considering working on the clinical side, the age could work against you, as working with patients and keeping pace in a busy office or in a hospital might be one of their considerations. And they're always busy.

if you're considering working on the admin side, i don't see why age would work against you and it might benefit you because you have more life experience and maturity than those pesky 23 year olds.

good luck!! S.