Staff Reporter
Long after college becomes a distant memory, some people feel the need to return.
The usual pattern of life's events seem to be high school, college, and job, with no looking back - especially after marriage, kids, and a joint bank account.
However, after spending some time in the daily grind of life, some are searching for a change in routine.
Kristy Epstein, Elk City, Oklahoma, coordinator of the Brown & Gold Club, a college organization for students over 55, says that people return to college because of their interest in new things, such as history classes or foreign languages.
"They have time on their hands, have extra things to do, and they want to find hobbies," Epstein said. "They want to meet people."
While some may return to pass time in an art or exercise class, Epstein says others return for more life-altering reasons, such as a complete change in career.
Carol Garman, a 59 year-old student from Smithville, Ohio worked many years in Financial Aid offices at various colleges and as a secretary to the Athletic Director at Shawnee Mission West High School before landing a job with Sprint.
"I became a single mother, so I had to get a job that paid a little bit more," Garman said.
In nearly 15 years at Sprint, she went from an administrative assistant, to payroll supervisor, to commissionıs analyst.
Working with Sprint's PCS Division, Garman examines and processes commissions for PCS sales representatives.
"I enjoy it, I'm good at it, but it wasn't my passion," she said.
Garman enjoys helping sick friends and relatives with a muscle massage to help relieve their aches and pains.
Last summer, she decided to enroll in the college's massage therapy program.
Garman says it took her whole life to find her passion, and she could not fathom having to decide her life goals right out of high school.
"I think the reason we have so many people changing professions right now at 35 or 40 is because; how can you decide at 17 or 18?" Garman said.
Dylan Titus, student, 18, Overland Park, agrees.
Titus wants to transfer to the University of Massachusetts to major in African Studies, but he is unsure of a chosen profession at this point.
"I feel like most people don't know what they want to do yet," Titus said. "It's kind of unfair for you to have to choose a major when you're 20 at the least."
When he finally decides on a career, Titus wants it to be his final choice, hoping that college will not be a necessity at an older age.
"I don't want to get in that position in the first place, so I kind of want to decide what to do and do it," Titus said.
Sarah Reed, student, Lenexa, 23, does not view college for traditional students only. She believes that people should return if they need or want to.
"Of course it's not a one-shot deal," Reed said. "You should always be learning and increasing your knowledge."
However, returning to college places the student in the "non-traditional student" category.
After having four children, Reed's mother became a non-traditional student, attending the nursing program alongside traditional students.
"I think it's great that it's a community college that can have diversity of age," Reed said.
Garman agrees, not feeling the least bit uncomfortable as a non-traditional student.
"I don't feel unwelcome," she said. "I don't feel out of place, and that's a good feeling."
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