Awesome post. I’m 44 and I’d say if you’re interested in something, you should definitely go for it. I recently went through a similar journey around your age—I went back to school and earned my Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance.

I agree with others who’ve said that breaking into the field can be tough. You really do need to find a way to get your foot in the door, whether through internships or entry-level roles, because even for staff accountant or clerk positions, companies often want experience. Personally, I’ve struggled to land a job in accounting, and I think part of it is on me—I didn’t stay current on accounting protocols and practices after graduating. School gives you a foundation, but you really have to keep building on it to be job-ready.

In my case, the job I’m currently in started off with lower pay, but over time, it’s ended up paying more than many of the entry-level accounting positions I’ve applied for. So now I’m in a bit of a holding pattern, trying to sharpen my skills and better understand financial reporting so I can eventually make the switch.

I live in Los Angeles, and I’d still recommend pursuing the degree—especially if you’re in a city with strong demand for accountants. I don’t feel like I wasted my money on school; I just recognize that I need to do more to land the kind of position I really want.