Not really an engineer, but I want to be...

[turbomacncheese]

Firstly, I know this is a forum for professional engineers, and I am not. But I think this would be the best place for some legitimate feedback.

After a solid semi-career in restaurant management, I decided that I wasn't using my brain enough every day to be happy. I quit the 80 hours/week job and work much less now, so that I have time to school. I've always considered myself a problem solver, and I'm strong in math and science. I placed into calcI/analytic geometry on a placement test at the local cc after pretty much NO math for the last 12 years.

Thing is, I'm 31, and likely to be 36-37 before I have a degree in hand. Is that too old to start a career in engineering? I think I've had enough of settling, but is this a valid point to settle on a new career with faster training?

Thanks
Tony

 

[turbomacncheese]

When I think back to the things I really enjoyed learning, the things that stuck with me BECAUSE I enjoyed learning them, I come around to physics, biology, and math. Chemistry a little, but not so much. I see lots of civil, electrical, and mechanical titles in the screen names here, but I have come across a degree at University of Illinois in biomechanical engineering. Anyone familiar with it?

 

[Contrivers]

Go for it!! I spent 3 years in the IBEW as en electricians apprentice before I decided to go back to school and finished in less than 4 years, although I didnt have children I worked 30+ hours a week. Many guys in my office were in the same boat as you and did it. After you get through physics 1 and 2 you will have good idea on what discipline you want to focus on. And at any point if you hit the wall and question your ability, just remain stubborn and push through it and don't give up.

 

[IDME]

I started at 37 and didn't graduate until I was 42, and I wasn't close to being the oldest in my class. It is one of the best decisions I ever made.

 

[GregLocock]

bio is going to be a growth area in the next 40 years as more and more rich people get older and older. I think it is an excellent and interesting field.

Even if it doesn't work out the mechanical side of your degree will be a good fallback.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[moon161]

Completed BSME at 28, passed FE exam (Fundamentals of Engineering) at 40. If unattached, the physical proximity and your maturity difference from the young & attractive may be torture. Don't ignore campus life or activities, but moderation in all things.

I remember a father-son pair when I was in school. Both seemed sharp, Sr. a little more together.

My biggest weakness by far was study discipline, I thought sponge mode was sufficient, it's not for 95%, and a bad idea for all. If you study consistently start, and apply the threshold effort early, start projects early you will step into a world where the material become common sense that others don't.

Work experience and the madness of long-term unemployment (thankfully over this spring)helped me study the 2-5 hours / day for my FE review process. 2 children broke me in on the sleep deprivation.

Tour engineering departments, see what they have to offer, pick what you like. Make sure to participate in student design/build projects like ASCE steel bridge, SAE (formula SAE, Mini-Baja, methanol marathon, hybrid vehicle contests, DARPA autonomous vehicle). Posing & solving design problems, working hands on makes you literate & accomplished in engineering process. Study for & take your FE Sr. Year.

 

[moon161]

If your inclined, you may be a candidate for the Navy Nuclear Power program. Now that flight wings accept lasik eye correction, NNPP is starved for smart people, and your education will be probably be paid for.

 

[materialsliz]

I knew a couple of Biomechs when I was in college in the late 90s. It involved everything from designing and building prostheses to joint replacement options to ergonomic designs and analysis. It was a lot of mechanical combined with good doses of materials and bio knowledge.

 

[KENAT]

Pretty sure there have been a couple of similar posts in the last year but a quick browse didn't find them.

In short, so long as it's what you want to do, not you're probably not to old.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[moltenmetal]

If you actually know what an engineer does and are passionate about doing that yourself, you are by no means too old to pursue that passion. Life is too short to be stuck doing a job you hate!

Just don't pursue engineering, and all the effort and debt that engineering school might entail for you, without an understanding of the ACTUAL job market for engineers of the kind you plan to be, in the region you want to live in. Don't buy the hype or the reputation- do your research and get the data before you decide. At the risk of boring poor old FeX32 to death, I'll restate that the 2006 census in Canada had two engineers working OUTSIDE engineering for every three who have a Bachelors' degree or higher in engineering. Not all of those folks are patent lawyers or medical researchers either. Not all of them left because they saw greener pastures in some other field- many couldn't get a foothold in the profession after they graduated.

Engineering is still a pretty good gig for the top 10% of its grads. Aspire to be amongst that top 10% from the get-go.

 

[turbomacncheese]

I was just headed over here to post about all the engineers that reportedly can't find work because much engineering is being outsourced to foreign workers and because more people are taking up engineering. It also seems like a lot of the advise for finding a job is "be willing to relocate." Easier when you're 24 than when you have 4 kids and a spouse trying to land a career as well. Any thoughts?

 

[FeX32]

"At the risk of boring poor old FeX32 to death" LOL.
Too late, the thought of your "persistent-whimper" bores me to death.....
btw, I am far from old....I may even be you next door neighbor's kid or that young prof that you hated in uni. ....

OP, don't listen to those BS stats. Every good engineer I know loves their job and had no trouble finding one.
Look at the uni. stats, they are totally opposite.... I wonder why...duh!


Fe

 

[Lion06]

For what it's worth, engineering that requires a PE (e.g. civil and structural) aren't going to be outsourced anytime soon. The additional pending requirements of a MS will help dwindle the supply.

 

[Lion06]

I also posted a link to an article recently that had engineering as a top ten "recession proof" degree to have.

 

[IRstuff]

Well, partially recession-proof, maybe. When the recession hit, we laid off about 10% of our work force, and have allowed about 5% attrition to date.

There are also a number of ET members that are currently, or recently, without a job. YMMV, since there's different sectors of the economy as well as different parts of countries involved.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[KENAT]

Hmm, we had something like 50% lay-offs over the last few years, so I laugh at the recession proof idea.

Apparently even medical is being hit now.

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
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[IRstuff]

Medical office visits have been substantially down in the last year. Possibly because of lost insurance or copays being too high.

TTFN

FAQ731-376

 

[PeterStock]

My previous company (automotive components) had reduced staff before I left (my choice for a new and different position) and has had more since I left. My current company (engineering services to aerospace companies) has seen a reduction in workload but is looking to hire some experienced staff in the current recession.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

http://www.infotechpr.net

 

[turbomacncheese]

That's the next thing. With plenty of unemployed engineers looking for work, what are the odds of a new grad getting engineering work 5 years from now? And if one could find a job, would it be enough to pay the bills? Or would a second job be in line? Hearing about guys/gals taking jobs for 8-15 bucks an hour just to get in the door is disheartening, because I make more than that now and just get by. Of course, the wife will be working by then, but that would suck to just end up even with right now, albeit in a a more challenging, hopefully satisfying career.

 

[IRstuff]

In the 5 yr timeframe, it's probably pretty good. Either the recession will be over, or we're fubar'd, in which case, it won't matter what your degree is, or is not. Even now, we're still looking for good people, admittedly at a lower pace than before, but it's not so dead that everyone's hanging on for dear life.

As I mentioned earlier, we've had attrition, but that was losing people to other companies, 2 went off to an Evil Empire, while another went to a commercial company.

TTFN

FAQ731-376