Looking for career advice.

[Acal51]

Currently I work at a CNC machine/mold/die making shop. We manufacture anything from progressive dies to special machines. As of lately, they have been hiring in engineers to expand the company. I have often found myself enjoying drafting in CAD program, Solidworks in particular. Never anything great, mainly woodworking projects or home projects that I want to machine at work. I would like to advance my career, however the company never promotes within. Always looking to outside help. Its a small company employing under 100 personal. When it comes to defining my work day, I often say I am complacent. My job is not hard by no means, but it doesn't excite me either. A lot of piece parts and short run production (under 300pcs). With the odds stacked against me to get promoted to engineering, I have been looking to go back to school part time for Mechanical Engineering. But therein lies the rub. At this job I currently gross over 60k a year with overtime and around 50k without. I'm 26 years old, engaged with no kids. My fiancé is currently getting her MS degree and will be getting her PhD. She has about three years or so left with her schooling. We also own a house so someone has to pay the bills.

Would it be worth taking the hit with less overtime, to go back to school at my age? Is it worth only going back part time since it may take such a long time to achieve the end result? and will the financial gain at the end be greater than what I currently make? (to reiterate the last question; I know pay scale is higher, but is the added job headaches and school expense worth it compared to an easy job at a decent pay range)

Thanks

*** Also we are not talking about a high cost of living state/area either. Golf course houses range about 350-400k and avg house cost are about 130-220k.

 

[berkshire]

If you can get a degree, it is worth it in the long run.
At age 26 you still have over 40 years of productive life ahead of you.
B.E.

 

[jpankask]

Any chance your company will pay for part of the schooling? That will go a long way towards making the economics of the decision practical. Over the long run, having a degree certainly should benefit you. Also, you say your company does not promote from within, but I would imagine if they have the chance to promote someone with an engineering degree from within the company, they should jump at the chance (if they have any sense). It takes a great deal of money to hire and train someone new to be proficient in a company. If they have the option to hire from within someone who already knows the processes/procedure and who to talk to, that will mean a more productive person more quickly.

 

[HDS]

As others have already said the younger you make such a change the better. However, doing it part time will make it take longer. There are no weekend or executive programs for engineering. Do not limit your plans to your current employer. Who knows where your wife's PHD will take you.
You may have to take a pay cut for the first job unless the new one needs your CNC experience. Are you a button pushers, a machinist, or tool path programer? Do you know anything about the tool design?
Most shops have some positions between engineering and manufacturing that can be used a transition.

 

[IRstuff]

" but is the added job headaches and school expense worth it compared to an easy job at a decent pay range"

You presume that this job will last your lifetime; this same mistake was made by many of the factory, and even engineering, workers who are currently unemployed or underemployed, or employed below their qualifications. The odds are extremely high that you or your future wife will be laid off or unemployed for some period of time in the future. Having as many opportunities as possible at that time will be a significant advantage.

TTFN
faq731-376

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[Acal51]

Ugh.... Had a response typed to each one then hit backspace and lost it. Will retype it tomorrow.