Question for Parents and Future Parents 9

[ktlasers]

I gave up my Engineering dream in college (class of 2001) because I didn't want to kill myself for a few good years of work before I quit for kids. Now I want to go back, but I wouldn't even be able to finish my degree for at least 5 years (probably longer). Then I might not even be able to work full time for a few more (depending on how many kids we have). Will I be able to find a job? Is is worth it?

 

[TheTick]

!

 

[Beggar]

Highly unlikely that you'd find a part-time gig, especially straight out of school.

Personally, I'd wait until you're closer to being ready for the commitment.

Will you be able to find a job? It all depends on your specific major/specialty, your grades, your interviewing ability, your network, your experience, and the economy.

The answer is, probably.

--------------------
How much do YOU owe?

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

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[ktlasers]

Of course I'd wait until I was full time. That's what I meant by that statement. I don't have any engineering-related experience, other than what I do now, which I doubt counts. I'd commit now except that I want children. I feel like it's one or the other. That's ridiculous, but Engineering is a hard field to break into, I think.

 

[Ashereng]

Will you find a job? Very likely - there is projected to be a shortage for the next 5 - 10 years in the US.

Is it worth it? No. If you didn't want to "kill" yourself before, chances are, you will be less inclinded to "kill" youself later. There are lots of other perfectly good careers, that is both self-fulfilling and lucrative, chose one of those.

Or, see this thread:

If you weren't an engineer, what would you be?
thread731-154463


Oh, I just saw your latest post. Just a comment on this:

I'd commit now except that I want children. I feel like it's one or the other. That's ridiculous, but Engineering is a hard field to break into, I think.

Is this a question of is engineering worth it, or is it more a more general "Is a career worth it?" Any career will entail some "sacrafice", any decision will have a consequence. It really depends on what you want, how badly you want it, and what you are willing to give up to get it.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[ktlasers]

I don't mind killing myself if it's worthwhile. A few years wasn't going to be worthwhile. There are other careers I wouldn't need to go to school for but that I don't want as much. I'm a natural-born engineer, but I stupidly decided to bury that fact and pursue Human Resources. Am I a glutton for punishment or what?

 

[LIGWY]

I currently have two children and work full time +. You have to decide what balance you want in your like. I have a GREAT daycare provider that can not be replaced and wonderful husband to help. To me it is about balance and what is a goal of fullfilment to YOU!

 

[Ashereng]

We recently lost our GREAT daycare provider. Now we are scrambling to find another solution. The best laid plans ...

Anyhow, it is balance, like Abutler said. This means you don't get everything. You win here, but you lose there. You need to decide where you want to win, and where you want to lose. I am lucky. Many people don't even get this choice.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[ktlasers]

Thank you for your perspectives. I'll never be able to stay home completely while my kids are young ($), so going back to school doesn't make much sense. But now I feel better about knowing that door should be open for a while. Right now I'm a Secretary/Engineering Tech/Assistent Inspector (SMALL company) and I'm trying to make the most of it, like refreshing my calculus and trig, learning GD&T and keeping up on the latest trends in quality. There is a lot to learn, and when I do go back to school, I'll know a lot. I just needed to explore my options. Thanks so much!

 

[HVACctrl]

I don't think it has to be kids or engineering. Both my wife and I work and we are going on our third kid, averaging one every 1.5 years. Now THAT is crazy.

My wife actually just started her own publishing company, which by the way, is WAY more lucrative and satasfying than engineering.

The drawback is that the kids have to go to baby-sitters and daycare. That's not really a bad thing. Our oldest (going on 3) has learned a tremendous amount from daycare. I think it keeps her motivated to learn and helps her out with social skills. Some people have an aversion to sending kids to daycare, though. Some have even gone out their way to share their opinions on this with me (knowing that our girl went to daycare) and I think that was just classless.

Oh, well. To each his/her own.

Perhaps in a few short years, my wife's company will be running more smoothly so that she can work part time. I hope also for the possibility of breaking away and doing some consulting and other businesses of my own. In that case, we will be able to spend more time with the rugrats.

Ed

 

[ktlasers]

I already have decided to start my kids in preschool at 2, because I loved it and because it's a great start! But if we have 4 kids (like I want), that's still 8 years of babies! My mom will help, but not full time and not three at a time! I'm lucky, though, to have all these options, like somebody else said!

 

[Twoballcane]

Hi Ktlasers,

I agree with the other post about balance and what you want as a career. My wife is going through the same thing, but in a bank related field. We have one daughter and she is in a great day care, also we both work. My wife is taking online classes now but close to a point where she has to take “real” classes. We agreed that my wife stay working so that she can get the work experience. Right now she is at the highest point in her career where she does not need a degree, but once she gets it doors will open. We have a hectic schedule, but we think it will pay off at the end.

I guess my advice would be to see if the company will pay for some online classes that you can do after work or the weekends. If the company does not pay for it (I am assuming that you are a woman) I think there are scholarships for women who want to go into the engineering field. If it has to come out of pocket (if you are in the USA) at least some of it may be tax deductible. It is great that you are working in the engineering field; some of it will be viable to a new Engineering job once you have your degree.

Good luck!

Tobalcane

 

[ktlasers]

That made me feel a lot better. I know there are scholarships just for people returning to school full time, which might be an option once all of my kids are born. I am also at a point where I can't really take any more online classes, and the "real" classes are during my workday. Like I said, I'm learning what I can, which is making me more well rounded and I'm making great connections at companies like Honeywell, GE, Pratt & Whitney and Boeing. Plus, my husband works at Intel. I just need to know there's hope. Now that I do, I'm quite motivated!!

 

[Twoballcane]

Ktlasers,

I'm not sure, some where in Eng-Tips, I could have sworn I saw some dialog on engineering classes held during the weekend and night (for the working people). You should check out your local colleges and see if they have such a thing. For my wife, there are weekend and night class that she will be attending next year.

 

[DaveVikingPE]

KILLING YOURSELF TO LIVE Lyrics

by Black Sabbath

Well people look and people stare
Well I don't think that I even care
You work your life away and what do they give?
You're only killing yourself to live
Killing yourself to live
Killing yourself to live

Just take a look around you what do you see
Pain, suffering, and misery
It's not the way that the world was meant
It's a pity you don't understand
Killing yourself to live
Killing yourself to live

I'm telling you
Believe in me
Nobody else will tell you
Open your eyes
And see the lies, oh yeah

You think I'm crazy and baby
I know that it's true
Before that you know it I think
That you'll go crazy too

I don't know if I'm up or down
Whether black is white or blue is brown
The colors of my life are all different somehow
Little boy blue's a big girl now

So you think it's me who's strange
But you've never had to make the change
Never give your trust away
You'll end up paying till your dying day

 

[ktlasers]

The University where all of my credits count is oblivious to full-time-employed students. They offer night and weekend graduate courses, but undergrads are supposed to be full-time students. My local community colleges don't offer engineering courses I haven't already taken and the "other" colleges are very expensive, and aren't well-respected in the engineering community. If push comes to shove, I'll have to go to those and prove my worth, maybe by starting out as a tech or something. I'd rather be able to finish at the university. The afore-mentioned scholarships often provide monies for living expenses, too, so that may yet be an option.

 

[CRG]

I wanted the best for my children. A great daycare is no substitute for a stay at home parent! When my kids were toddlers, I could not bear to abandon my kids to daycare, so my wife or I stayed at home to care and nurture the rascals. Now that my youngest one is in 1st grade, my wife and I arrange our work schedule so one of us is always at home when they are home from school. You can pursue a career anytime; however, you kids will be kids only for a small amount of time. Enjoy the opportunity to give your time to your children, they are worth it.

HVACctrl, I am not sure how touting the benefit of daycare is any less classless than touting the benefit of being a parent that wants to be at home with their kids and then makes the personal/financial sacrifices to do it. Children can learn a tremendous amount from their parents being there for them.

 

[Ashereng]

There are parents on both sides of the stay at home parent vs daycare debate.

Lets agree to disagree and leave it at that.

I usually go the don't ask, don't answer route with questions/issues like this.

I am sure every parent knows what is best for their child/children.

"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[LIGWY]

I just would like to say ktlaser I wish you the best of luck in your journey of life and fine the balance that works best for you.

 

[ktlasers]

Thank you, all of you. I spent my early days mostly in the hands of my aunt and grandmother, and I'm actually grateful for that. I also loved, LOVED preschool. I feel like I'm very blessed to have so many options. I'm also blessed to have been able to discuss this with all of you.

By the way, thank you for reminding me about scholarships. I had completely forgotten about that option!