Advance your Career as a Non-traditional Student

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by Hayli Morrison

With many media jobs, experience carries considerably more weight than education. Combine that with industry demands on time and energy, and it’s unsurprising that many media professionals do not finish college, or perhaps never even begin in the first place.

However, there may come a time in one’s career when degree holders have a distinct advantage regarding promotions, salary increases and overall marketability. Some professionals, like 28-year-old Sommy Rhee, have their eye on a career change, but need a degree to bridge the gap. Whatever the reason for enrolling in college mid-career, these so-called “non-traditional” students should carefully research their options to smooth what could be a very bumpy ride.

“Starting over – that was the hardest part because I had to apply, take classes,” said Rhee, who left the publishing industry to become a pharmacy technician. “Now that I'm in school, I'm as happy as ever. Every time I come back from class, I feel tired but it's a good tired. I feel like there's so much more I can do with what I'm doing right now.”

For non-traditional students like Rhee, who also recently became a mother, the juggling act can become even trickier with family obligations thrown into the mix. Every college student will face their own individual set of obstacles, but the key for non-traditionals is to avoid putting undue pressure on themselves.

“You have to be realistic. You might be able to finish in four years, but it’s going to be pretty difficult,” says Dr. Bari Norman, director of Expert Admissions, LLC, a college entrance preparatory and advising service. “Everybody’s situation is unique. Some people can get away for a few hours and take a class. Other people are busy 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, and their schedule is a lot more constricting.”

More colleges are courting the non-traditional student, recognizing the vast profits to be had from that corner of the market. In fact, the rate of college enrollees over age 25 has grown so much that the term “nontraditional” may now be considered a misnomer. As much as 47 percent of new and returning students on college campuses now fit into that group, according to the Association for Nontraditional Students in Higher Education.

It’s a staggering statistic that has colleges sitting up and taking notice. The number of colleges offering distance learning – a popular option for non-traditional students – increased to 91% in 1999 from only 62% four years earlier. Additionally, colleges are adding more flexible class schedules, on-site childcare, and longer hours for campus dining and study facilities.

Norman recommends that non-traditional students also look for colleges that offer a good commuter’s lounge, since on-campus living is rarely an option for this demographic. Strong academic advising is also a key in helping these students strike a balance between their demanding jobs, personal lives and schoolwork while ensuring all graduation requirements are met.

“Everybody needs guidance, and the traditional-aged student will have plenty of resources,” Norman explains. “A dean or advisor who is exclusively assigned to students who are non-traditional can assist with issues that are unique to that population. It can be commuting or juggling childcare, and it can act as a liaison for the financial aid office.”

Non-traditional students have typically waited longer than most before embracing the college scene, and their enrollment will typically also last longer than average. So the pre-enrollment phase should be treated with equal deliberation and care. The success or failure of the non-traditional degree seeker depends greatly on the campus experience, and research will help determine whether a school is a good fit.

How is the residential and social climate on campus? Are there services that cater to more mature students? What are the course schedules and distance learning opportunities? Above all else, if the quest for a degree is expressly for career purposes, is it even necessary? Talk to professionals in your field, including your own supervisor, to determine whether the rewards a degree brings will justify the investment of time and money. If so, then make sure the college you choose embraces all students equally.