Back to School, Forward with Purpose: A Financial Professional's Journey Back to the Classroom

After over thirty-five years in the workforce, who would have thought I’d find myself on a new career path, attending classes again, and in a field in which I had no experience?

Going back into a learning environment online as a seasoned professional wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It was the result of long reflection, a hunger for something new, and a strong desire to know I was helping others, loving on others in ways I had never been able to do before.

Taking the Leap

My career, and my industry, had reached a point of both instability and stagnation. High interest rates sent thousands in the mortgage industry into unemployment lines. While I was good at what I did, I wasn’t growing anymore, and I certainly wasn’t making a difference in someone else’s life. So, after I was laid off, I knew I was capable of more. And now I had the chance to fulfill my desire to truly be of service to others while taking back control of my time and my destiny.

I spent a whole year searching for the right opportunity, one that would allow me to make a real difference in people’s lives, that would leave me feeling energized rather than exhausted at the end of the day, and that put me in control of my schedule. After much research, I made the leap and enrolled in a Reflexology training program. And not just any training program, but with Laura Norman Professional Holistic Reflexology Training. 

Laura Norman is considered the leading expert in Reflexology worldwide and has been training Holistic Reflexologists for over thirty-five years, which gave me the confidence that I had made a great choice.

Was I scared? Absolutely. I worried I wouldn’t be able to keep up, that I’d forgotten how to study, that my brain was too “work-wired” to absorb something new, especially because the program includes some anatomy and physiology. Yet, at the same time, I was excited for what lay ahead, seeing how I was helping the people I would personally be touching. I also knew that fear often accompanies growth. And personal growth was exactly what I was after. 

Navigating the Transition: From Fintech to Reflexologist

One of the most challenging parts of taking a life-changing training program as an adult learner is the juggling act. Deadlines don’t disappear. Emails still flood in. Family, work, and life don’t hit pause. I’ve learned that time management isn’t just a nice-to-have skill—it’s a survival tactic. My calendar has become my lifeline, color-coded between meetings, classes, tutorials, SOAP notes, homework, and starting a new business! 

And, with the challenges have come unexpected advantages. I approach classes with a very different lens now. I ask questions not for a grade, but because the answers impact the future of my work. I’m not studying just to pass—I’m studying to understand, to apply, and to make a difference in the lives of others as they invest their time and money with me having a reflexology session. 

Reconnecting with Curiosity

One of the most refreshing parts of this journey has been rediscovering my intellectual curiosity. It’s easy in the day-to-day grind of professional life to stop asking “why” and to just keep pushing forward. The Laura Norman Professional Holistic Reflexology Training Program has reminded me to pause, reflect, explore and be open to new holistic approaches for the body, mind, and spirit. It’s exhilarating. 

I’ve also met an incredible mix of people—students who have chosen to enhance or transition from their massage therapy career, mid-career changers, even other professionals like me looking for that next career where they will make a difference in the lives of others through the gift of human touch. These conversations, both in and out of class, were some of the most valuable parts of my return to the classroom. 

What I’ve Learned So Far…Beyond the Syllabus

You’re never too old to be a student. In fact, with experience comes wisdom—and often, better study habits.

Being uncomfortable is a sign of growth. The things that stretch us the most usually teach us the most.

Imposter syndrome is real—but it’s not reality. You belong in the room. Your experience matters.

Learning is energizing. It’s the antidote to complacency and the key to future-proofing your career. 

Final Thoughts

Going back to school, or through a training program, as an adult learner has its challenges. It requires sacrifice, humility, and serious commitment. And it’s also one of the most rewarding investments I’ve ever made in myself. I don’t know every detail of where this path and new profession will take me, but I know it’s leading to somewhere better—somewhere far more fulfilling. 

If you’re considering it, my advice is simple: don’t wait for the perfect time. It doesn’t exist. Growth rarely fits neatly into our schedules. But when you make space for it, your future self will thank you.