Long gone are the days when we used to fall into a career straight after school, remaining there until retirement.
These days, the average tenancy of a job at any one business can be as little as three years, with some individuals taking up multiple career paths well before middle age!
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, figures show that around one million 25 to 64-year-olds were engaged in study in 2015, compared with 780,700 in 2004.
The opportunities to jump across career paths have never been more accessible, and with so many people leaping from career to career, why is it that mature-age study is so popular today?
1. You can study wherever you want, whenever you want
There is wealth of educational products and courses out there that allow mature-age students to study what they want, when they want.
Whether you’re juggling existing work commitments, or are located in a regional area with fewer opportunities to physically study locally, education that is delivered online, by correspondence and part-time allow you to bridge the gaps that were otherwise insurmountable in years past.
From students that prefer to study in the dead of night, to those who like to do their assignments during lunch breaks, never before has the power been in the student’s hands to choose their destination.
2. There are fewer barriers to the career of your dreams
Physical proximity to educational providers was previously a huge barrier for students – families would uproot from their communities to allow a family member to complete the course of their choice.
Similarly, caring for dependents also used to make studying a challenge – how did mothers and fathers ever find the time to find temporary babysitters and the time to head to classes, study and complete assignments?
Now, flexible learning options allow students to work when they want, where they want and still have access to tutors and lecturers for those important questions; this means that no matter what is going on in the student’s life, students can achieve their dream qualifications.
3. Mature-age students have, arguably, more drive and commitment
Unlike younger students who are often distracted by tertiary life, mature-age students are battling with many competing demands – so their commitment and time efficiency generally works in their favour.
Unlike older students, younger students are often side-tracked by the sudden freedom that tertiary study provides – and they often forget about the cost associated with failing, repeating or changing courses.
Mature age students generally value the input of their educators, ask more questions, explore more opportunities, and experiment to build their experience and or portfolio. No one takes education more seriously than a mature-age student.
4. You can phase hobbies into full-time careers while managing risk
For many Australians, their true career passion starts as a hobby that they just so happen to be extremely good at.
For students who are not sure whether their hobby or passion is able to sustain their lifestyle long-term, part time and distance education can help iron out the wrinkles in a chosen career path.
Whether you love practicing makeup techniques in the mirror or have a flair for photography, if you’re just not sure if you can turn your flair into a business, mature part-time study is the best way to get professional advice without taking a risky leap.
Studying later in life should never be seen as a barrier. Talk to educational providers that work in your areas of interest to find what sort of opportunities are available in flexible studying options – it’s never too late to do what you enjoy.
