39 year old Graphic Designer

Published

Hola Everyone!

I have been debating it for a few years now and am about ready to make the switch. I have been doing Graphic Design since I graduated in 1999 and have had enough. I am tired of all the deadlines and sitting in front of the computer ALL day long. Plus, I have a deep feeling in my gut that I want to do something more meaningful. I know there will be lot of people that think I am crazy but what's new. :D

I am planning on meeting with an advisor next week. Then I am going to sign up for 1 or 2 classes at the community college, which are required before applying for the Nursing program at our school. Plus it's waaay cheaper. =) I have to take the 2 anatomy and physiology classes, chemistry and 1 or 2 others. English, Psychology and a few other core classes I will have covered from my BFA degree.

I am also thinking of studying Radiology Technician. Does anybody else have experience with this field?

Does anyone have experience taking online courses? I was planning on taking the 1st A&P class and Chemistry this way. The 2nd A&P class I have to take on campus.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. This is completely uncharted waters for me. :D

Anywayzzz, look forward to meeting and talking with everyone. I am sure I will have a slew of questions for everyone here in the near future.

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Wow, I'm really surprised. Was there something wrong with my intro? I was sure hoping for more response than 0...

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Specializes in labor and delivery.

sorry you're not getting any responses, maybe because it's the weekend?

Anyway, be very careful about taking any science classes online, you have to have a lab component and doing this online can be tricky. I think for my first class I'd take an in-person class.

I finished school in June and took a few pre-reqs online. I hated them! I really needed the interaction with other students and the teacher. I had straight A's till then, I got a B in my 3 online classes.

I was a television news editor until 3 years ago, then I switched careers. I am now 49 and working in my first nursing job. I absolutely loved school, I felt like my brain was stretching in all new ways-talk about warding off Alzheimer's. My first job is really challenging, it's hard to go from being an expert in a job to being a complete newbie but I am working to meet the challenge. That's been the hardest part-being new in the job.

Good luck!

Teensmom

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Specializes in L&D.

I would just second the "don't take science classes online" bit. I took micro online and felt pretty far behind. Maybe that's because I'm not terribly motivated and I learn better in a classroom but science stuff is just too detailed and important not to get it.

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Thanks you two for responding and for your input on the online classes!

I don't really want to take them either but the cost is a huge difference. The distant community college offers the 3-4 prerequisite courses online for $86 per credit. The local University, where I will be doing the Nursing or Radiology, cost per credit is $335. For 12-15 credits that's a huge difference for me.

We will see though, I am still in early planning stages.

For those whom were working full time and taking your pre classes, how many did you take per semester? I'm guessing 1 would be enough for me. That way I can focus more an pull A's, which will help in getting accepted for the program.

Those that had/have other Bachelors degrees, how did that affect your process? Did it help in getting accepted into programs? I also picked up fluent Spanish along the way so that should help I would think.

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I don't have any advice just wishing you luck. I just graduated in May with my BFA in Graphic Design and knew after a few months I couldn't do it for 40+ years. I don't know how good you are with science, but for me switching from art to science hasn't been easy. I would suggest taking classes on campus. I get more out of my on campus classes than online.

But it may work differently for you. Again, I wish you luck and I'm sure you'll do fine!

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't have any advice either...just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I left a 15 year career as an advertising copywriter and I so totally understand your need to do something more meaningful. When I look back on my first career, it is kind of bizarre to see how much stress and importance people assign to ads...It got to the point where I just wanted to stand up in the middle of the creative department and yell, "Look everybody...it's basically a SIGN! Get over it!" But of course, I didn't.

Good luck on your new endeavors! I, too, am excited to get away from a "desk job" and do something more hands-on and interactive. I would also say if you can avoid taking any science classes online to go that route for sure...but if you have no choice then my second piece of advice would be to try to find a study partner that you can meet with regularly.

Ok, I guess I did have a little bit of advice after all!

Congrats on this new path your life has taken!:yeah:

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Science won't be bad for me. My graphic design kind of migrated to coding and designing websites and I have always been very analytical so I think I will be ok with that. That is the other reason I am also considering the Radiology degree. How far are you into the nursing?

Good luck and thanks for stopping by!

I don't have any advice just wishing you luck. I just graduated in May with my BFA in Graphic Design and knew after a few months I couldn't do it for 40+ years. I don't know how good you are with science, but for me switching from art to science hasn't been easy. I would suggest taking classes on campus. I get more out of my on campus classes than online.

But it may work differently for you. Again, I wish you luck and I'm sure you'll do fine!

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Yes, those "creative" meetings...gah! :eek: I know exactly where you are coming from. 2 years ago I was working on a website a big client and this job was "so important" that I was stuck working on it while visiting my Grandparents over ThanksGiving. 6 hours a day. Can you say yuck??!

The main thing though, about the Advertising field, is it just seems so unfulfilling. I have no problem with hard work.

If I do end up taking the online classes I will probably hop on over to the campus and sit in on the lectures. I only live 2 blocks away...best of both worlds.

Thanks for your advise! :D

I don't have any advice either...just wanted to let you know that you're not alone! I left a 15 year career as an advertising copywriter and I so totally understand your need to do something more meaningful. When I look back on my first career, it is kind of bizarre to see how much stress and importance people assign to ads...It got to the point where I just wanted to stand up in the middle of the creative department and yell, "Look everybody...it's basically a SIGN! Get over it!" But of course, I didn't.

Good luck on your new endeavors! I, too, am excited to get away from a "desk job" and do something more hands-on and interactive. I would also say if you can avoid taking any science classes online to go that route for sure...but if you have no choice then my second piece of advice would be to try to find a study partner that you can meet with regularly.

Ok, I guess I did have a little bit of advice after all!

Congrats on this new path your life has taken!:yeah:

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Go for it, Mr. Tom! I will be doing many of the same pre-reqs as you. Need to repeat a few really old classes. I am starting with one class, and I am going to sit in a classroom. I don't have any interest in online classes; I think I will end up with a better gpa if I am in a traditional classroom setting. I hope to take two classes next semester, or an accelerated class over the summer, but going to get my feet wet with just the one. Good luck to you!

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Thanks! How many pre-classes do you have to take? Good luck and I am sure I will see you around.

Go for it, Mr. Tom! I will be doing many of the same pre-reqs as you. Need to repeat a few really old classes. I am starting with one class, and I am going to sit in a classroom. I don't have any interest in online classes; I think I will end up with a better gpa if I am in a traditional classroom setting. I hope to take two classes next semester, or an accelerated class over the summer, but going to get my feet wet with just the one. Good luck to you!
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Great news Tom! I went back to school at 39 myself. If you are entering a competive program, I would caution you taking A&P I online. As a matter of fact A&P I online isn't even an option at my school. For my nursing program, If you didn't ace A&P I and II as well as microbiology, you probably would not get into the program.

But, there are different ways to do everything I realize. You are wise about questioning the online option. I, personally, would not want to put myself in that position. Too much at stake.

I have taken about a half-dozen other classes online and this is the basis of my comparison.

Keep us posted!

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