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[zharkov]

If so perhaps you could get some kind of visiting gig at an American university.

I am no employment expert, but surely the job market for itinerant poets is even bleaker than that for humanities PhDs? - DvF

This is a bit out of my league, but I get the sense that one networks into these kind of visiting poet/scholar/artist-in-residence gigs.

[promovenda]

Well, I am currently pursuing a European PhD, although I hail from the U.S. I am 49, and have been at this for about two years. I think I'm incredibly fortunate. As for job ops afterwards, I hope to teach somewhere but am not holding my breath... I would be interested in any input from others 50 or so who are also trying to do this crazy thing!

[msparticularity]

Job opportunities for people of "a certain age" vary incredibly by field. I'm in education, where it is far more normal for people to go to grad school after a fairly substantial number of years in the system of public education. While I am a decade or so older than most other new TT faculty in my field, that didn't seem to be an issue at all when I was on the market. By contrast, my friends in my general age group in MLA and AHA fields have had a far harder time finding TT jobs. While they (and I) recognize that this is at least partly due to the relative supply-demand in our fields, they also have had a sense that there were age issues involved, at least at a subconscious level, for the SCs.

[bacardiandlime]

I agree with MsP, having observed the outcomes for older PhDs (in admittedly saturated humanities fields). SC members here have discussed not choosing candidates who they fear will fly the coop in a couple of years (necessitating another search), because the dream hire from a T-T search is someone who will stick around for 25 years. If this is the model, obviously a candidate who is 50+ is not going to look all that appealing.

[collegekidsmom]

I just wanted to say, apart from all of the practical information given by others, that I too have incredible time and level of interest now that my children are grown up, and this age seems for me to be the perfect time to really explore fully any interest or degree or lifestyle change desired. It is a great time to go after "unfinished business," whether that is academic or employment or personal.  I just wanted to be encouraging to you as your enthusiasm comes through your post. Maybe your plans aren't all perfect, but you may have a great situation at this point in your life to pursue your dreams, and best of luck to you.

[jonesey]

This is going to get me flamed, but...

We had quite a few over 50's in my MFA program.  Most of them had money, and most of them just "wanted to learn more" which, of course, is fine.  What most of them didn't have was the same hunger and dedication as the rest of us did.  We were there to become something else (writers, of course, but also professors/teachers as well). 

We called these people "knitters" because it seemed that the went to graduate school because the local knitting group was full, and they needed something to do with their time after raising kids and having a career.

Again, there's nothing wrong with expanding your knowledge, but don't go to graduate school just because evening Adult Ed classes at the local YMCA are full. 

[promovenda]

Thanks to all for your feedback. Yes, I know some people here who might fall into the "knitters" catagory. In our group there are a few who are retirement age or almost, by appearances. They have worked as professionals in the field and are now turning to acedmia. I think their goal is to research a topic of personal interest and write a decent dissertation about it, hopefully to see it published at some point. However, since they are "external" they don't take up a great deal of anyone's time, and the university needs them, I think, to swell the numbers of he department.

On the other hand. I definitely am trying to "re-invent" myself and think that I have some connections here that may result in some teaching opportunities even before I finish the dissertation. But if it doesn't work out, I'll be happy just to publish a few things (I think). I don't disagree, however, that I'm not driven in the same way that a younger person who is making their career and needs a good job after would be.  All the same, I think I have tenacity and experience in other areas of life that will make me hold on and keep on. If I get opportunities, I hope that I can work in this field, writing and hopefully teaching, for 10-15 years (or more?) (assuming my mind and body don't let me down). Yes, it is an unfulfilled dream (although I have taught in the past from time to time on the basis of my master's). What do you all think - is that a realistic plan? Are any of you in the same situation? Or do you think it's crazy to be starting a new phase of life when many of my friends are starting to think about retirement?

[jonesey]

I don't think it's crazy, just unrealistic.  At least, if you want a job. 

You'll be competing against much younger people for jobs.  People who are in a position to offer 25+ years to their field.  You won't be able to say the same.

If you just want to learn new things, great.  Get a masters and see how you like it.  Adjunct at the local CC. 

A PhD, however, is totally different.  Are you going to move across the country and attend school for the next 7 or so years to earn this PhD?  Are you willing to eat sh*t from your advisors, almost all of whom will be younger than you? 

[promovenda]

Yes, well, I did mention that I'm already pursuing the PhD here, in the European city where I'm living. Actually, my main advisor is a few years older than I am. Yes, some of the "in-crowd" have been less than welcoming, but others have been more so. Perhaps my field and situation are too different from the NA norm to be analogous to what others are experiencing.