College After Career
College After Career takes you inside the world of the non-traditional college student who is over 40 and building a second career after a first career shaped their identity, priorities, and worldview. Each episode explores what it feels like to return to school, study in online environments, write with integrity, and develop a disciplined academic voice in an era where information is abundant but human thinking is not automatic. You will hear practical strategies grounded in psychology and learning science, along with honest field notes about time pressure, motivation, confidence, and the social reality of being older in modern classrooms. This...
Ep 6: Controlling Your Career
How much control do you have over your career? In this episode I am going to talk practical steps about career and life and how you manage your expectations by following your heart. I am going to share my personal experiences, my stories, and my ideas with you. Towards the end I am going to ask you a very important question and I need your help. Come along with me as we explore the world of college after a career.
College After Career is hosted by J. Matthew Pierce. This show explores the lived experience of returning to c...
EP 5: Comfort Meets Motivation
Going back to college later in life takes a bit more motivation than you'd think. But it also takes a certain amount of comfort. In this episode I am going to be going over the things that I do to stay comfortable and motivated to carry out this next phase of life. Come along with me on the journey to discover how the enxt great adventure is just a comfortable decision away!
College After Career is hosted by J. Matthew Pierce. This show explores the lived experience of returning to college over 40, building academic discipline, and preparing for a...
EP 4: My Own Backpages
For some of us the idea of college at 20 is more rigid. But add on a few years and it becomes more about purpose and legacy. In this episode I break down my biggest reasoning for wanting to do this so late in life when the reality is that I don't have to be here. Come along with me on the journey and explore what life is like going back to college after my career.
College After Career is hosted by J. Matthew Pierce. This show explores the lived experience of returning to college over 40, building academic discipline, an...
Episode 3: Learning Without Visuals
Welcome to the College After Career Podcast. In this episode I am going to explain why going the podcast route and cutting back on some of my YouTube video content only makes sense. As somebody who generally doesn't feed into the "I will pay to make myself popular" scheme, I am talking to a very different crowd of people these days. I believe that science shows us how to really connect with people we have to take away some of the visuals. Let me explain.
Links:
Learn about College After Career: https://collegeaftercareer.com/
Here is wh...
Understanding the Role of Cognition
In this episode of College After Career, we explore the deep psychological and cognitive impact of language education through the lens of history, brain science, and adult learning. Host J. Matthew Pierce uncovers the hidden legacy of Mexican American schools in 20th-century Texas and draws a powerful connection to what modern neuroscience tells us about language, thought, and lifelong neuroplasticity.
What we will discuss:
How language functions as a cognitive tool, not just a method of communicationWhy critical periods in brain development matter for learning and self-expressionWhat adult learners can do to reclaim cognitive power a...
College After Career EP1: Pilot
What happens when you finish one career and decide to start over on purpose? In this pilot episode of College After Career, I introduce the story behind the podcast and why I chose to return to higher education after building a career in photojournalism, Human Intelligence (HUMINT), and human-centered analysis. This is not a motivational highlight reel. It is a real second act. The identity shift, the discipline, the learning curve, and the challenge of developing a serious academic voice in the AI era, where information is everywhere but thinking is not automatic.
You will hear what this p...
