Wide range of programs offer new career training.

For those looking to change careers in mid-life, L.A. offers a range of educational programs geared to help them do just that - from trade schools to MBA programs to more-unconventional offerings.

Burn out, corporate downsizing or the search for better pay and a more interesting job are among the typical reasons that mid-career executives are returning to school.

"It used to be that obtaining an MBA was an option rather than a necessity made by business professionals in the hopes of advancing their career. But not any more - times have changed," said Kathleen Gardner, director of Pepperdine University's MBA program.

"An MBA is almost a necessity now for career advancement," said Gardner.

For students on the fast track, Pepperdine offers completion of an MBA within two years, a rigorous undertaking, according to Gardner.

UCLA, meanwhile, offers a scaled-down alternative to a formal MBA program, its Executive Education Program.

"Although the course work covers the same topics, such as management, human resources, marketing and accounting, the program runs just one night per week for 26 weeks," said Alissa Brill, the program's marketing director.

The idea is to give the breadth of information that an MBA offers, but in a shorter amount of time, said Brill.

"One of the trends among students that we have noticed lately are self-employed professionals who are highly trained in one area and now need to be more responsible for the business side of their (firm), such as a doctor or a lawyer," Brill said.

There are weekend programs, as well. Marymount Weekend College offers classes for students who work full time and want to earn an undergraduate degree, said Doug Wade, associate director of the school.

"Enrollment tends to fluctuate with the economy," Wade said. "Enrollment increases with economic recovery as people begin to think more about employment opportunities, resources available to them and what they need to do to take advantage of them in order to better themselves."

The outlook is especially bright for students interested in human resources, according to Wade.

"Many companies are becoming more aware of the management of employees and how people work together," he said.

Despite the huge numbers of recent law school graduates, more and more professional people are taking that route.

"I see physicians, dentists and nurses who, in these tough economic times, are using a law degree as a safety net," said Julius M. Walecki, director of admissions/marketing at the University of La Verne College of Law in Woodland Hills.

"I believe that older students have an advantage once they become a lawyer because typically clients want someone representing them who looks a little older," Walecki said.

Some are choosing an altogether different route. At the Los Angeles Trade Technical College, for example, there are a variety of vocational studies, such as those in motorcycle repair, fashion design and photography.

"Many business people who have decided to make a dramatic career change come to the Technical College to involve themselves in classes such as child development, nursing or cabinetry," said Eve Madigan, program director at the College's Career Equity Center.

The Career Equity Center offers total assessment for adults wishing to make a career change.

"Students who come to the Career Equity Center are typically 42-years-old, and if they are contemplating the career change due to downsizing at their workplace, they are usually fragile and even terrified of returning to school," said Eve Madigan, program director. "The Center concentrates on building self esteem of the students and determining appropriate career paths."

Madigan said that professionals from interior designers to aerospace engineers have gone through the Center as they embark on new futures in professions such as computers and environmental concerns.

"We also offer business and computer classes that are popular among the older students who change careers and need refresher courses on business basics," she said.

One increasingly popular alternative for someone who wants to leave a desk job is culinary school.

Enrollment at two area culinary schools has been steadily climbing in recent years - filled largely by people in mid-life who are ready to trade in a computer and calculator for a scale and knife.

"Boredom with current jobs, corporate downsizing and review of the content of one's life at the landmark middle age leads people who have a passion for cooking to our school," said Cristina Williams, director of marketing and admissions for the Southern California School of Culinary Arts in South Pasadena.

Most students are looking to enter second careers; their average age is about 40. The students - from high-paid lawyers to telecommunications satellite workers - come into the program knowing they will no doubt take a substantial cut in pay.

"There are opportunities beyond working in a catering business or restaurant kitchen that pay well - such as personal cheffing, food journalism and styling, and test kitchens," Williams said. "But overall, you do not go into this area to get rich."

Students come to the Epicurean School of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles from a wide variety of professions, said instructor Karen Umland.

"The music industry burned out one of my students who had worked in it for 20 years," Umland said. "She told me she needed a dramatic change. The older students are much more dedicated to learning, take it more seriously and remain focused - which, if they transfer that to a job upon graduation, they will be very successful."

A job in the travel industry offers plenty of fringe benefits, although the actual pay is typically low.