u/BeardedClassic

Last semester of my Undergrad in Advertising. Older student in Mid/late 40’s. Non Traditional Route to get here like quite a few others I’d imagine.

Got picked up by VR&E and it’s been such a blessing. Undergrad about complete, Masters on the Horizon. Curious how other Vets are getting into places like Harvard, Yale, Duke, Stanford, and others?

Giving this opportunity my everything as it’s been life changing and I have my kids to prove a world to as well.

Didn’t grow up in an Academic Family, so, learning the steps as I go.

Hey everyone. I’m a mid-40s Veteran finishing my bachelor’s degree in Advertising after spending much of my adult life building small businesses and working across marketing, sales, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

I originally chose Advertising because I was excited about product creation, marketing, media, branding, and bringing ideas to life. I still love that world, but as I’ve watched the industry change and AI accelerate, my interests have shifted more toward the technology behind what’s being built.

Over the last couple of years I’ve become increasingly fascinated with AI, automation, building with AI tools, and the intersection of technology, business, product development, and human behavior. I find myself much more excited about learning how to build and create with these technologies than staying purely on the traditional advertising/design side.

I’ve recently been approved through VR&E to continue into a Master’s program, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity. Like many Veterans, the journey getting here hasn’t always been easy, so I’m definitely not taking this opportunity lightly.

I’m not looking at graduate school as simply another credential. I want to choose something that gives me valuable skills, strong upward potential, and opens doors for the next 15–20+ years, whether that leads toward AI, tech, product, leadership, consulting, entrepreneurship, or a path I haven’t discovered yet.

For those who have used VR&E for graduate school, or made a similar career pivot later in life, what Master’s programs or career paths would you recommend I seriously explore?
I have a family, so this opportunity means a lot to me. I’m excited about the road ahead and want to make the most strategic use of this chapter that I possibly can.

I’d genuinely appreciate hearing what worked for you, what you wish you had known, or what fields you believe have the strongest future ahead.