10 careers worth going back to school

Think you're in the market for a whole new career, one you're willing to go back to school to get? You're not alone: Of the 21 million people enrolled in post-high school

programs, 2.3 million are between the ages of 40 and 64, up from 1.9 million in 2007, reports the National Center for Education Statistics. (About 1.5 million of them are part-time

students.) At midlife, you want to choose wisely. You've got decades of experience in the workplace, which is all to the good, but also fewer years in which to undertake lengthy

additional schooling. Finding a career in a growing field that will continue to add jobs, offering pay that will justify the cost of your added education is the mission. The cherry on top is

enjoying the work you will do. With all that in mind, suggestions for the best midlife career change, based on projections of the fast-growing jobs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

_REGISTERED NURSE_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 526,800 INCREASE IN NUMBER OF JOBS, 2012 TO 2022: 19.4% EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Associate’s or bachelor's degree AVERAGE COST: 

Earning a two-year degree at a community college costs an average of $3,200 per year. The four-year path to RN, which leads to higher paying jobs, costs about $8,900 per year at public

four-year schools, according to the College Board. HOW LONG TO EARN: At least two years MEDIAN SALARY, 2012: $65,470 UPSIDE: Rising job satisfaction. A recent survey found 91% are happy with

their career, and 73% satisfied with their current job DOWNSIDE: In many parts of the country, newly minted nurses struggle to find work _TRUCK DRIVER_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 

192,600 INCREASE IN NUMBER OF JOBS, 2012 TO 2022: 11.3% EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: In addition to a commercial driver's license, you'll need a certificate COST: Anywhere from $1,000

to $10,000, according to the Professional Truck Driver Institute HOW LONG TO EARN: Between four and eight weeks MEDIAN SALARY: $38,200 UPSIDE: High turnover means good truckers can always

find work, sometimes with signing bonuses DOWNSIDE: Be prepared to be away from home for weeks at a time _MEDICAL SECRETARY_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 189,200 GROWTH RATE, 2012 TO

2022: 36% EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Some vocational or community college AVERAGE COST: About $3,200 per year MEDIAN SALARY: $31,350 UPSIDE: Widespread demand makes this an easily

transferable occupation DOWNSIDE: Busy medical offices translate into higher-than-average stress levels _KINDERGARTEN OR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 

167,900 INCREASE IN NUMBER OF JOBS, 2012 TO 2022: 12.3% EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: At least a bachelor's degree; some areas require pursuit of a master's AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION,

FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL: About $8,900 per year, according to the College Board HOW LONG TO EARN: At least four years MEDIAN SALARY: $53,400 UPSIDE: Summers off, and the chance to channel Dr. Seuss

DOWNSIDE: Starting salaries are considerably below median _ACCOUNTANT OR AUDITOR_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 166,700 INCREASE IN NUMBER OF JOBS, 2012 TO 2022: 13.1% EDUCATIONAL

REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor's degree. Many also pursue a Certified Public Accountant certification. AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION, FOUR-YEAR SCHOOL: About $8,900 per year, according to the

College Board HOW LONG TO EARN: At least four years MEDIAN SALARY: $63,550 UPSIDE: Better-than-average job flexibility and upward mobility DOWNSIDE: Expect to put in plenty of overtime,

especially during tax-season crunch _RESTAURANT COOK_ NUMBER OF NEW JOBS EXPECTED BY 2022: 150,100 CHANGE IN NUMBER OF JOBS, 2012 TO 2022: 14.7% EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: While many land

jobs without even a high-school diploma, you'll need culinary training to get in at trendy restaurants AVERAGE COSTS: A two-year degree from Johnson & Wales (Emeril Lagasse's

alma mater) or the Culinary Institute of America costs about $54,000. But many public colleges also offer two and four year programs, at about $8,900 per year. MEDIAN SALARY: $22,030: chefs

and head cooks earn $42,480 UPSIDE: Work is fun, creative and constantly evolving DOWNSIDE: Long hours and fallen arches