Is 35 Too Old to Get an Organizational Leadership Degree?

An organizational leadership degree blends psychology and business to examine how humans function in work environments. It's a prime choice for students who dream of guiding employees to fulfill an organization's goals.

If you're ready to return to school to earn a degree in organizational leadership, you might wonder if it's too late to do so in your mid-30s. Whether you're 35 or older, you're never too old to get an organizational leadership degree.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revealed that nearly one in five students enrolled part-time in the fall of 2021 were age 35 and over, showing how common going to school later in life is.

Reasons To Earn Your Organizational Leadership Degree at 35

If you're going to school for the first time or returning after a hiatus, there are plenty of great reasons to enroll in an organizational leadership program at 35.

Switch Careers

Are you stuck in a non-business career that seems to be going nowhere fast? A degree in organizational leadership can help you move into a new role. Earning this degree can build your problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership skills and prepare you to take on bigger roles.

Make a Career Advancement

You might enjoy your current career in a business-related field but want to make more than lateral moves. A bachelor's degree in organizational leadership can help you earn a promotion in your current role or secure a management position with another organization.

Fulfill an Important Goal

Many people feel the pull to return to school or attend for the first time. If your goal is to finally earn your bachelor's degree, going to school for organizational leadership is a great way to build the career of your dreams, boost your earnings, and finally fulfill an important goal.

What Will I Learn In an Organizational Leadership Degree Program?

Organizational leadership bachelor's degrees prepare students to take on leadership roles. Students learn classical and contemporary leadership theories and delve into psychology topics like conflict, diversity, and identity.

Programs give students the tools to help an organization operate effectively, minimize conflicts, and facilitate negotiations. Students explore prominent leadership theories and discover what it takes to apply scientific critical thinking to social relationships.

Courses cover leadership, group dynamics, organizational development, psychology, and organizational behavior. Students might also learn about human resource management, economics, and business law.

What Can I Do With My Organizational Leadership Degree?

After earning your bachelor's degree in organizational leadership, you'll be ready to make your mark in the field. But how can you use an organizational leadership degree? The following are some career options to consider.

Human Resources Specialist

Human resources specialists place new hires into jobs within an organization. They usually help recruit, screen, and interview candidates. Specialists also manage workers' orientation, training, benefits, and compensation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of human resources specialists is projected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average for all occupations.

Management Analyst

A management analyst recommends ways for an organization to improve its efficiency. They also determine how managers can create bigger profits through increased revenue and reduced costs. Management analysts examine financial reports, design alternative practices, and recommend new procedures. The BLS projects a 10% increase in the employment of management analysts from 2022 to 2032.

Project Management Specialist

Project management specialists design plans for an organization's projects by determining:

• objectives
• staff
• funds
• schedules

Specialists modify plans as they go, project milestones, assign duties, and serve as the point of contact for clients. Employment for project management specialists is projected to jump faster than average at 6% between 2022 and 2032.

Sales Manager

A sales manager directs a business' sales team. Primary duties include preparing budgets, analyzing sales statistics, setting sales goals, and determining profits for products and services. They also create training programs, manage customer complaints, and decide how to acquire new customers. Employment for sales managers is expected to increase by 4% from 2022 to 2032.

FAQs About Starting an Organizational Leadership Degree at 35

Starting an organizational leadership degree at 35 can seem a bit intimidating. The following frequently asked questions can offer more insight into this journey.

Are There Benefits To Starting My Organizational Leadership Degree at 35?

Beginning an organizational leadership program at 35 comes with a lot of benefits. Here are just a few:

• If you already have a college background, you can transfer credits to apply toward your degree.
• The maturity you've gained in adulthood can help you become a better student.
• You'll learn new skills to elevate your work and personal life.

As an older student with clear goals, you can make the most of your college experience in ways that may have been more difficult at a younger age.

Should I Go Back to School for Organizational Leadership?

There are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine if the time is right to go back to school for organizational leadership. Consider the following:

• Am I ready to make time in my busy schedule for part-time or full-time study?
• Are flexible programs available that let me earn an organizational management bachelor's degree online, at night, or on the weekends?
• Can I afford tuition and other school costs needed to pursue my degree?

Also, consider how your loved ones can help if your class time stops you from fulfilling duties at home.

Can I Apply Life Experience Credits To Earn My Organizational Leadership Degree?

Yes, you can turn life experiences into college credits, including past work experience and professional or military training, that can be applied toward your organizational leadership degree.

Tests like CLEP, DSST, and other Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) as well as internships are tools you can use to convert the experience you gain outside the classroom into college credits.