Studying after Work
Table of Contents
We hear it all the time, but maybe you've asked yourself the question: Should I go back to college and continue my job either full-time or part-time, or even quit my job entirely to explore a different field, or continue my education in my current job? Sometimes you want to start studying after you've retired, that is, at an older age.
The intentions behind beginning a degree program vary and, of course, depend largely on the individual's age. Older people who are approaching or nearing retirement begin a degree program out of a personal interest in the subject matter rather than the actual job itself. Younger people, on the other hand, aim to improve and develop themselves in their current profession through their studies.
Below we would like to give you a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the different study options and time frames, to help you make your decision easier.
Studying out of Interest
Many people are afraid of going back to school in their later years. Some believe that the older you get, the harder it becomes to remember things, understand connections, and generally learn. However, it should be pointed out that learning is often much easier if you're genuinely interested in the subject. So, if you're truly interested, we can only say: Go for it!
For people who want to study simply for the sake of studying the subject, several universities in Germany already offer what is known as contact studies . This option is open to anyone, regardless of whether they have a university degree or other qualifications required for regular university attendance. In contact studies, unfilled module places are allocated. This way, students in contact studies do not take a place in the module from other students and can pursue their interests and gain comprehensive information and further education on the various subject areas. In contact studies, no examinations are required, but they are also not possible. This means that no degree can be obtained at the end of the "course of study. "
On the other hand, there are no entry requirements for the contact course, and there are no age restrictions . The course is therefore solely for personal development and is particularly interesting for those who do not expect any job-related consequences from their studies or who have already retired from the workforce.
You can find more information about the contact studies on the websites of various universities that offer this type of study. For example, you can find information on the website of the Academy for Continuing Economic Education or the website of the University of Hamburg , as well as on many other websites of various universities.
If you want to pursue further education to advance your career—to get promoted, earn more money, or even manage various projects—contact studies are the wrong choice. For this type of program, you should enroll as a student at a university and then gain a qualification by taking exams and earning credits.
Vorteile
There are many different reasons for going to university after or during your career. Such a decision to return to university after a certain period of time can be motivated by further training. As mentioned above, further training has many advantages in your career and may open doors that would otherwise remain closed. However, many employees are also looking for a theoretical balance to practical work. Another advantage of studying alongside or after work in the same or a similar field is the transfer of knowledge. Practical experience gained in the company can be incorporated into your studies. People who have already worked in a company often have a much broader perspective on certain topics or problem areas than those who have never worked before.
Nachteile
The only downside to re-studying, however, is having to switch from a normal working-class salary to student loans or living off your savings. If you've already gotten used to a life with a regular income for a few years, this can be a little strange at first. This argument cannot be refuted, but it's worth considering that career prospects after re-studying may be significantly more promising, and you can therefore expect a higher salary in the future. But that's something you alone can judge.
Study Programs
At first, it may be a change to start learning something new after several years of working, but it can also be a welcome change from what you do every day. In principle, studying part-time and integrated with your job is possible in such a situation.
- Part-time study is a course of study that is completed alongside one's professional activity. The course of study complements one's existing career, and the university and the company are not necessarily connected.
- In a work-integrated degree program, however, the company and university work closely together to optimally combine theory and practice. However, this type of program is aimed more at prospective students who are just beginning an apprenticeship, rather than at those already employed, unless they wish to relearn a profession. The dual degree program is particularly noteworthy in this regard.
You can find a very good overview of part-time and work-integrated degree programs at Studieren.de. It explains exactly where such programs are offered, which is the best choice for you personally, and what it would look like in your specific case. A degree program as a retraining program is also conceivable in some industries, but you should gather comprehensive information about this, as it's not possible in all areas.
Time Regulations
In addition to the different study formats, there are also different timeframes. A distinction is made between full-time study, part-time study, and distance learning. Part-time study can be further subdivided into various subcategories, such as evening classes or weekend courses.
- Full-time study is generally understood to mean a traditional course of study at a university or technical college. Here, you are physically present, and the knowledge is imparted by professors or academic staff. This form of study takes up the most time, as you usually have lectures, tutorials, and seminars (almost) every day.
- In a part-time program, on the other hand, the material is spread out over a longer period of time, which is ideal if you want to continue working and complete your studies in your free time. Here, you can choose between an online model and face-to-face instruction.
- One option is evening classes. This involves attending university a few evenings a week, after work, and then attending a few more hours of classes. There's also the option of taking the program modules on weekends. Typically, classes are held on both Saturdays and Sundays. It's also possible to complete the part-time program online.
- Various distance learning models are also possible, where you teach yourself the entire course content and only travel to the university for the exam itself. Sometimes you also have a block of classes one or two weeks before the exam, during which all the topics are reviewed in rapid succession.
Weitere Informationen
You can also find more information about the various study programs and fields of study on the Hochschulkompass website . There, you'll find a selection of degree programs, the corresponding universities and locations, and other information. If you already know exactly which program you want to study, you can search for it here. However, if you're not yet sure what you want to pursue, you can also sort your search by subject area or focus, as well as by the type of study or desired degree.
In principle, you should never let anything discourage you from pursuing this kind of further education. Continuing education not only helps you, but also those around you, and companies generally welcome it and often even offer financial support. So don't be afraid to go back to school!
To get off to a perfect start in the semester, you should stay on top of your course content from the very beginning. Check out Studydrive for more information.
Here you will find many, many free study materials, exercise sheets, solutions to old exams and you can exchange ideas with other students.