Older Workers Returning To School To Survive Economy

(NEWS CENTER) -- 41-year old Kurt Lane spent more than a decade in the financial services industry. But his world changed last summer.

"When they start cutting they start cutting consultants first, so you saw the consultant wave getting cut and the economy was not looking very good, so it was time to move on," said Lane.

Lane has three degrees, including an MBA but he knew it was time to find a new career. Lane is now carrying a full load at Southern Maine Community College. In two years he hopes to assist cardiologists in the OR as a cath lab technician.

He says getting into the health care industry will give him some job stability.

"Hospitals need people doing these jobs. The number of heart problems doesn't decrease as the economy decreases," Lane said.

Sharon Staples is Lane's classmate. She spent 13-years at National Conductor doing a variety of technical support jobs before she got her pink slip. Now she is studying to be a nurse.

"I could come back to school for IT and then compete against 22 year olds for the one or two jobs that are out there, but if you open up the paper, health care jobs are everywhere," Staples said.

While both students say their coursework is challenging, they find that skills they learned in the workplace apply in the classroom.

"At this age, you are more motivated to excel as opposed to just get through," Staples said.

Lane says older workers have to be flexible to stay with the changing economy. Both hope they will find a career that will take them right through retirement.