Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

As any worker knows, juggling a job, family and your personal life is hard enough. Add going to school to the equation and it's easy to feel overwhelmed.

Despite the difficulty juggling work and school, there are ways to do so successfully, while also acquiring additional skills and benefits.

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Going back to school, especially in a tough economy, can be highly beneficial for people of all ages. In 2008, the unemployment rate for people over 25 with an associate degree was 2 percent lower than for those with only a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For those with a bachelor's degree or higher, the unemployment rate was 3 percent lower.

Here are the stories of seven workers who successfully went back to school at a mature age:

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

The Internet has revolutionized so much of our everyday life in the last two decades, and how we attend school is no different. More and more students are taking classes online, sometimes as part of a traditional school-going experience, and sometimes as part of an online-only program. If you've considered earning a degree online and weren't sure if it's the right decision for you, read the experiences of these nine people who earned their degrees the virtual way.

By Rex Roy, for AOL Find a Job

It's no secret that in this market, jobs are hard to find. The secret is picking the right kind of job to look for, so that if the economy stays in the tank, your new job won't.

Career expert Laurence Shatkin, author of 150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs, states, "I'm not a fortune teller, and nobody's job is 100% secure, but I identified these based on information from the U.S. Department of Labor."

By Marcella Wolfe, AOL Find a Job

Looking toward the future for a more recession-proof career? Or has the current economy already kicked you into job search mode? No industry is safe from the forces of change, but one thing is certain: some industries are more likely to be where the jobs are.