So I’ve been in healthcare for 15 years, simply to sustain me during school and as a flexible stable job. But I knew it wouldn’t be what I wanted to do forever so I went to school. I graduated with a semi useless degree (individualized with design and hospitality) with the intention of eventually possibly having a business in hospitality (that is a longer term dream probably but is fermented food and drink related).
A couple years ago I decided I probably needed more education to find a job with any future potential and I did one of those UX bootcamps. After completing I job searched for over 18 months and nothing came of it. I got really burnt out and have decided to regroup and find a new sustainable plan. I know the tech industry is crap for juniors right now. But this was very discouraging to me. I tried so hard to change my future and career and this simply never panned out. It felt like I’m not meant to be successful.
Now I’m almost 37 and considering going back to school again to become a food scientist/fermentation scientist. I can really see myself doing it and I’m passionate about it.
The thing is…do I try and get another bachelors degree and go back to school with a bunch of 20 year olds and have to do all of that all over again? What if I can’t pay for it?
Do I keep trying with tech/UX even feeling like it’s not going to work out for me? Learn some coding?
Who in my age group has “started over” like this and can provide perspective and encouragement?
Comments
Hi – even if you describe your degree as semi-useless, it’s still a degree, assuming a BA or BS? Could you do a Masters program since you have an undergraduate degree? I went back to school in 2020 for a Masters in Science, Technology, and Society and my undergrad was Graphic Design.
Also, I’m 35 and in UX and planning to leave the field in the next 5 years. I don’t feel like it’s entirely my choice, I truly can’t imagine what my next job looks like and how I’d get it in this market. It used to be that I’d interview people when my field was booming and it was just about how they could think. I interviewed people from bootcamps who had never worked in UX and who got offers all the time. Now, employers want specific field/vertical experience, like they want you to have already done the EXACT thing they’re hiring you to do. It’s bananas! It doesn’t feel like theres growth potential – only contraction due to rigidity and AI. The field might bounce back, but it’s so saturated and you’re right it is hard for juniors, but also all levels. My LinkedIn feed is people literally begging for work. It’s not you, it’s the market. You’re right to move on.
I wish I had more positive things to say about my own field, but I hope you can find something that feels like there is growth and staying potential. I think it’s brave to find a new path at this age and I’ll be in your shoes myself in a few years. I anticipate being laid off and plan to figure out what’s next then.