Journey Back to College: In my 50s and Starting Over

In 2016, I began reflecting on my career of over 30 years. I enjoyed what I did, but needed a change. I thought that I was finished with my schooling and that my job was a career until retirement, but as I reflected, I could see how my work was no longer as fulfilling it once was. I needed more. I was a school counselor and loved connecting with my students and colleagues but wanted to provide more in-depth therapy to others. I was 53 and realized that I qualified for early retirement at 55, but the pay was significantly less when retiring at the age of 55 rather than if I waited eight more years. Could I wait eight or ten more years? I knew that I needed a change, but more importantly, I needed fulfillment. A job that fulfilled me for over 30 years no longer gave me joy. That realization catapulted me to begin looking for educational programs that would allow me to provide a deeper level of counseling to people needing therapeutic services. After talking to professors