I have no post secondary and will be 40 by the time I graduate. I've currently worked my way up at a tech company and do well for myself but they couldn't be making it more clear to us that they don't want human employees around much longer. With my lack of education, the thought of being laid off is extremely bleak from a salary perspective as well as work options. Before I landed in tech I worked in grocery stores and wanted to actually die 👍
I'm tempted to pursue further education in tech, but am personally more interested in building, design, and hands on work. Although, I am entirely inexperienced.
I'm not entirely sure what job title this degree would get me, but am more worried about being seen as too inexperienced for a 40 y/o hire vs someone younger who could be in the workforce longer.
The 4 year commitment would be extremely financially challenging, as I do not have family or really many friends who can help me make ends meet over the course of that time. I want to be realistic about what this degree could offer me in return for the investment.
Can anyone offer insight into their understanding of this degree and the realistic career opportunities for someone my age completing it?
Not looking to be wealthy, but I'd like something close to a $70k salary to be something I can rely on till I retire considering the fact that I've always been a reliable and hard working part of the work force and intend to stay that way.
Thank you for this! It helps clear things up and I appreciate the detailed response.
I do, for the record, want to be clear about the fact that I am very impressed by the offer of a salary while going to school at all, and this post was in no way meant as a complaint about the offer being bad. It's very generous and is a large reason why joining the CAF is of such great interest to me, even though the salary would be significantly lower at the start than I make now. I'm more trying to calculate what kind of savings I might need to have ready to supplement my income during that time before I look at starting the process of joining and therefore leaving my current job. I know there can be delays between BMQ, starting the course, and starting to work full time so I need to be prepared for having enough to prevent finding myself destitute while things get sorted 😅. I'd like that process to be exciting and rewarding, and not end up stressful and frustrating right at the start because of money drama.
Anyway, thanks again!
Paid education and living expenses.
caf