Back to School for a college degree at 54
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Prehistory
After 54 years of life spent serving, working and just living, I am once again a student and enjoy the opportunity immensely.
I went through the standard schooling as most do; elementary school, middle school, and high school. At 9 years old I rebuilt my first carburetor on my mother's Pontiac. I also got my first ride in a Bellanca Citrabria, from my step father. During this time, I was so bored with the school system that I dropped out in my junior year of high school and attained my GED. I completed a private course in automotive mechanics and worked with a friend of my mother who owned a Jaguar shop.
History
I then chose to enlist in the USAF, and became an aircraft mechanic working on C-141A cargo jets during the late Vietnam Era. I was stationed at Travis AFB in Vacaville, Ca. and worked there gaining experience and training. During my time there, I was doused with JP4 fuel when a refuling hose came loose from the aircraft, and was exposed to very high power radar radiation while working in the nose wheel well of a C-141. (This was due to the flight crew turning on the radar while I was safety wiring a pressure panel).
After my honorable discharge from the air force, I returned to working on cars and motorcycles and eventually ended up as a Master Technician (ASE Certified) at the Jaguar/Saab/Subaru/Alfa Romeo dealership in Santa Cruz, Ca.
After years of this work, I was offered a job from a neighbor that owned his own refrigeration business and I learned commercial Refrigeration and HVAC. I spent the next 20+ years working at various companies as a service technician and gradually along the way learned the controls end of this business. During this time, PCs were evolving and becoming more powerful and began being used in the area of building controls.
I worked my way up the ladder from technician to controls technician, and eventually to being a Sr. Field Engineer for a large lighting controls company. I traveled the continental United States; designing, programming, installing, servicing, and testing these control systems.
I also spent considerable time training clients and providing technical support onsite and remotely. During this part of my life I also married and raised a family, three step children and my own daughter.
All through my life, I have been musically and artistically inclined, and enjoyed playing music and creating photographs. I even had my own small business as a portrait photographer doing baby and child portraits in-home for customers.
The Center of It All
So, the current day sees me enrolled in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division in Graphic Arts. I have been self taught in Adobe Photoshop and many other applications over the years but am excited to be attending this school and gaining my degree at the completion.
I enjoy building websites, photography, virtual photography, gaining skills with Photoshop and Microsoft Applications. I would love to meet others in the field of graphic arts and network with as many as I can. Time will tell where this leads me but I look forward to the journey!
Updated Status
Now at 55, I have been studying Graphic design, taking the basic courses required for a degree, and producing logos, artwork, abstract art, and of course writing hubs and articles on a couple other sites. I built a new PC with advanced components which enables me to work more efficiently and much faster. Soon I will be able to update my photographic equipment and begin again with my photography.
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Copyright © 2011 by Curiad
All photos are Copyright © 2011 by Curiad unless otherwise tagged
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Thank you November, and the best to you as well!
This is a great post. It shows how if you are motivated you can get your GED and go further with your education. It also shows that you are never too old to go back to school.
How do you feel about learning online as opposed to in a classroom?
I am learning on line mbaker, I attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh On Line Division.
I find it to be a great way to learn.
Good for you! A friend of mine recently got laid off but is going back to school online for graphic design.
Excellent story! How easy would you say it is for someone to transition from learning in a classroom to online?
Hi ecamper, that's great I enjoy doing it.
Hi marilnelanoon233, I think it is easier on line. The transition may be a curve because on line the motivatiion has to come solely from yourself.
Wow you've gone through a big journey! Glad you're pursuing the arts it's a fun field!
Thanks Mandy. Yes it is fun and a degree will help hopefully.
Good for you! It sounds like a fun journey. No one is ever too old to learn or be important in the work force. Well done!
Thank you Tammy!
Voted up and awesome! I'm proud of you for pursuing your dreams and remembering that age is a state of mind. Onward and upward. Thanks for sharing
Curiad...
Might I suggest a degree in History? Ohhhhhh...you want a job when it's over...well then...never mind...
Great Job...and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
Voting Up and Sharing!
Thomas
LOL ThoughtSandwiches!
Thank you for the "Thoughts" and the Vote. It's great to meet you too.
Shared at stumbleupon.com and socially shared. Thanks for sharing. Great hub also voted interesting.
Thank you Jim, I am glad you liked it!
Congratulations! I'm in school now, but I'm 18 and fresh out of high school. I think there is an entirely different perspective between someone who is in school at my age and someone who has real-world experience.
From what I have observed, adult students who are returning to school are often more appreciative and dedicated to their classes - despite have busier lives. And less of the adults are up until four am partying ;)
But I think that us young students could learn alot from adult students because most of us aren't paying for our own schooling, are putting social lives ahead of school work, and don't know where we're going in life and have unrealistic expectations!
So kudos to you! :)
I think learning is a lifelong pursuit. In my opinion, the greater access people have to education in distance forms such as online learning, the greater range in agegroups there will be in colleges. I intend to learn my entire life. I don't ever intend to stop. I appreciate your interest in education. After all, college education doesn't have to occur in your early 20s only. It can take place all throughout life. It is about enrichment and earning potential.
Hi Curiad, what's great about this is you're not going to school to get a job. I mean, if you've been serving our country for 54 years (thanks by the way....) and you're------say 72 years old, chances are you don't need a job. I think going to school without having to worry about stress is really great.
Good luck to you and take care
John
Thank you Laura, Brandon and John. I really appreciate your comments. John, I am not 72 but I get your point :)
I think this is a reminder that you're never too old to follow your dream or passion or too young to put it to the test. I love that you are following your heart and I'm sure you'll be awesome at pursuing your career! Congratulations!
Thank you for that supportive input Alecia. I agree, we are never too old to accept a new challenge.
You're never too old to learn something new! One of these days, I'd like to go to art school. I love to paint landscapes, but really don't know what I am doing. I need to learn about color and technique and how the heck to deal with oil paint (I use acrylic) They say that continued learning keeps the brain going!
Thank you Dolores, you are right we can learn at any age! I would love to see your landscapes, have you any Hubs on them?
What a great history and such an inspiration for all! It is never to late to learn new things and it is even better when we can combine learning with our dream. I did a similar thing as you and went back to the University for a masters degree at an age of 36. I loved to study and it was the best 5 years of my life. Your story helps me see opportunities and that it isn't to late to continue! Thanks for the inspiration and good luck with your studies! I know you will do great, since you are doing what you like most!
Tina
Thank you Thoughtforce, I am glad you did it too and I think there are many like us at an older age doing the same sort of thing!
You seem to have an incredibly versatile and active mind, and I am thoroughly inspired by your hub. Thank you for sharing this!
Thank you for you kind words mvaivata, I am pleased you were inspired!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Great hub! I hope this inspires others to maybe go back to school or takes some courses at any age. I will be sharing this with my followers.
I think it is so important to keep learning and to keep exploring throughout life to keep both the mind and body active!
Great hub! Curid, you have had quite a life. My guess is that you are really quite brilliant. The school system pushes the same curriculum on all the children, giving, no opportunity or consideration to the child's strengths or gifting. Curid, my belief is, that you will do great at whatever to tackle! Again, Great hub!
Hi Kris and thank you for reading an for your comments!I agree, we need to keep our minds active as well as our bodies.
Hi 2besure, thank you for visiting and reading my work. I appreciate your comments :)
I hope you are progressing with your education. Good for you! Dropping out your Junior year and than continue on a journey is amazing and for that my hats are off to you! :)
Thank you AEvans, I is not easy but moving along.
November Chill 12 months ago
Great post and best of luck with the graphic arts gig.