Getting back in Engineering on my 27th Birthday?

[Kappa89]

Hi everyone,

I am 24 years old and currently on my first semester towards my Finance degree. I took couple years ago 2-3 classes of Engineering ("Calculus I" and "Graphics for Engineers", "C++").

I estimated that it will take me about 2.5-3 years to take my Finance degree but I realized that I was made for Science & Engineering and thats why I was thinking on continuing my Eng. degree immediately after I get my Finance. By then I will be 27 years-old, which means that I will be around 31-32 years-old once I get my BS in Mechanical Engineering.

According to your experience, do you think that 32 years old is kinda "old" to start a career as an engineer? (I am willing to take as much co-op experience as possible). Have you noticed any "ageism" in that field?

Thank you.

 

[77JQX]

I got my engineering degree at 34. My pay caught up to others my age fairly quickly. Some of the skills that go into your pay grade are a function of maturity, which you either get or don't, regardless of when you graduated.

 

[Hurricanes]

I work with a guy who graduated in his early thirties. He's in his early forties now and is largely similar to others of his age in the company. I think life experience plays a big role in mature graduates climbing the tree faster.

 

[cliff234]

Kappa89,

Only you can answer the question about which direction to take. As far as ageism, you are 20 years away from having to worry about that - and if you have a passion for what you are doing, it will never be an issue. I am a structural engineer - and I love what I do. I learn something new every day and I view what I do as a form of play that I get paid for doing. I don't make a lot of money - but there is a joy in waking up every morning and looking forward to going to work. (I am 58.) Many of my friends are retired or are retiring. Good for them. I would be bored. That said, the times are changing. The future is uncertain. The key is to know your craft - and be good at it. The days of punching the clock for a paycheck in engineering are over. The one thing that you have that money can't buy is youth! Keep asking questions and don't squander a single day. That's the only advice I can offer. I wish you all the best!

 

[dbooker630]

One of my employees is over 50 and is working on getting his engineering degree. My wife changed careers in her mid-40s and is about to get her master's. In our local area there was a 73-year old who just received her degree. Age is but a number and if you make the most out of your life experiences that will be an advantage to you.

 

[living2learn]

I am 29 and graduated at 22 with an Electrical Engineering degree. When I first started out in the engineering field I was so worried about $$, recognition and etc...(immature) I have now realized that everything I was worrying about was wrong. My mentor told me whatever you do learn as much as you can the first three years out of school in the trade and the rest will come. So I did just that and worked my a#$ off and really tried to digest all the information I was learning. I still immaturely focused on $$ a little. After a few years of REALLY learning (after work reading, never quit asking ?'s) I now have a resume to go anywhere in the world. So I moved to San Diego right be the beach.
My advice is find something your passionate about and become the best most knowledgeable person in the world and the rest will fall into place. Now I don't really care about $$, but about having fun and learning.

I really enjoy reading the older engineers responses to people our age. Our generation is so entitled it makes me laugh.
One day we will be just like them, so be respectful because what goes around comes around.

"A Wise Man Learns by the Mistakes of Others, a Fool by His Own"