Some may think of retirement in their 70's, but not Karl Siegler. Instead, the 75-year-old is back in college pursuing his second master's degree at The University of New Mexico.
Siegler, who got his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2022 at UNM, is back at the Anderson School of Management this fall working on his Master's in Cybersecurity and Business Analytics. All while raising a family and working as a Material Master Manager.
“I have just continued going to school because, you know, I’m working full time and going to a university and you got to keep the little gray cells going as Poirot would say, it’s just fun," he said.
Siegler was born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif., eventually moving to Oregon where he joined the Navy in 1967. During his time in the military, he took classes at The University of Washington to be a Chemical Engineer. He later switched to Occupational Education at Southern Illinois University, graduating with his bachelor's in 1981. He retired from the military a few years later, ending up in New Mexico in 1989 where he's been since working for Summit Electric Supply for nearly 30 years.
Siegler wears many hats between family, work, and class, yet somehow makes it look so easy.
“75 is just a number and as long as you’re in good health, you just keep on going," he said. "Once you stop, you’re done, and I’m not ready to be done.”
According to Learn.org, the average age of people who get their master’s degree is late 20s or early 30s; however, most master’s programs are filled with a wide range of ages. Siegler says he sees plenty of non-traditional students around the business school, especially in his program, reinforcing the phrase, it's never too late.
“For me, I’m just doing it to go to school," he said. "I’m not going to use my degree for a different job because I’m going to stay where I am, I’m happy with what I’m doing.”
Siegler says he picked the Cybersecurity program this time around not only because his daughter is in the business but also the importance of being on the World Wide Web.
“If you’re on a computer, you need to know about cybersecurity, it’s interesting," he said.
Two big hurdles for those looking to go back and get their master's degree can be time and money. Siegler says there's no excuse for him thanks to the New Mexico Legislature which has a senior tuition program allowing people over 65 to take higher education classes for only $5 a credit hour. Siegler says in total, he's spent around $2,500, mainly for books and labs. For others, he says even with those hurdles, if you can make it work, a master's can be well worth it.
“If you want to get a degree and you can use it to get a bump in your salary, do it. It’s going to give you an edge up.”
Bottom line, his advice to those thinking about going back and getting your master's? Do it, no matter what your age is. After he walks across the stage in the fall of 2026 in his cap and gown, Siegler says he plans to take even more classes, emphasizing the need to keep learning.
“All I have to do is spend my time, so I think it’s important to keep on keeping on.”