Advice re. Two Problems Pre-Uni.

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I'm almost 44 years old. With over 20 years until I can officially retire, I realise I could earn a degree in neurosurgery in that time. Not saying I would, but in principle.

The state I live in has the highest unemployment in Australia, and the region has some of the worst prospects in the state. I'm getting older and I'm getting nervous. I don't have a trade, and it's coming down to aging unskilled Aspie versus young NTs. Security is becoming a big issue with me.

So I'm thinking about one last attempt at education. Everything I've done before has been entrance level certificates, but I'm thinking that I've got nothing to lose by giving university a go. Hell, I've got to do the time anyway, so maybe I could work towards a Masters or PhD.

Couple of problems though that I'd like advice on.

1. It would be a couple of years before I would start anyway. I'd need to make a choice re. direction, then do preliminary studies to reach uni entrance level standards. All good, except... it seems my 'special interest' is researching everything trying to find 'it' rather than settling on something and sticking with 'it' come what may. A problem made harder to control by the second problem.

2. I don't doubt I could work my way through a book on physics or architecture (or whatever) and get myself to a point where I could answer the test questions correctly. A little discipline, some focus. I just can't visualize applying them in practical ways on command. I could learn thermodynamics, but I don't see myself designing experiments. Seems there's a difference between academic understanding and practical application.

Of course, that may just be the lack of insight of anyone who hasn't reached a level where we'd know the academics well enough to know how to apply it, whereas someone who has reached that level might easily 'see' how to translate it to action.

So I guess I need to make a choice of a subject that has good career prospects, bull-headedly stick to that decision, and trust that when I get to a point where I'm asked to apply it, I'll know the subject well enough, and have the aptitude to do it.

Does that sound like something that anyone has gone through before?

You could also consider getting business management education and launching your own small business... there's a lot of job security in that.

I wish I had something to offer. I'm in a similar situation.

I have an undergraduate in two disciplines and a graduate degree. Stuck in a dead-end, low-end job. As I get older, I know the prospect of getting any opportunity in this economy is leaner and leaner.

I can't afford any more schooling. I'm in over my head in debt for education and could never hope to pay off what I now have. I'm hoping something gainful opens up before I hit 50 because after that, I don't know what I will do if my current situation ends.

I've been researching skills shortages specific to the state and cross referencing it against the state university offering. Seems Chinese language teaching, and maths/science teaching are the highest needs, both sounding good... except for their 'teaching' suffix. Followed by accounting and legal careers.

I'd just like to be left alone in a room or in the sunlight to get a job done and earn a living.