<p>So, I have struggled academically for a long time in my life, and despite the fact that I flunked out of college, I've had a long time to look back and rebuild my academics via CCC. It has not been all great (2.6 GPA at CCC) but it wasn't enough to land me in a CSU due to my DQ'ed transcript. I was literally off by 0.1 to hit the cut off mark. That's awfully close to let it all go...</p>
<p>I am coming off a great quarter (4.0 GPA), and I know I can continue working hard during Winter and Spring to be ready for Fall 2012. Problem is, I turn 33 this year - and I'm looking at graduating with a BS (assuming it all goes well) by 36. </p>
<p>With no prior experience in engineering firms or jobs, how realistic is it for a 36 year old to begin their career? I am not afraid of failing - heck I did that all through my 20's - but in your 30's, there is a tendency to think about it differently. </p>
<p>Is it worth it? My instincts tell me it is definitely worth it; better to be 36 with a degree than without, but I know it's a hard battle to climb. Any thoughts? Time seems short, and even though I know I have the drive to finish, I'm curious to hear people's insight or personal experiences on rehashing their careers in their 30's.</p>
<p>I hired a couple of engineers who had initially flunked out of college. They worked doing various jobs for awhile (including one who worked repairing fiberglass boats) and then started fresh again at college. They weren’t as old as you would be, but almost. I found that by working and then going back to college tended to make them very focused students who really learned the material and therefore had excellent GPAs. They turned out to be excellent engineers whom I was glad I hired. </p>
<p>Downside is that your starting pay will probably reflect your schooling and your years of ENGINEERING experience. So, you will be paid less, to start at least, than someone else your age who has been working a lot longer at it. Your performance on the job would dictate (obviously) your future pay raises. My older hires were ususally some of my better performers who therefore got better than average raises.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>HPuck, thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.</p>
<p>I’m 28(military) and I’m about 2.5 years out of graduating. There is a group of older guys that I study with, I might even be the youngest. I recently went through career day and as a sophomore with no oil and gas experience, got 18 interviews. I would say highlight your experiences on your resume.</p>
<p>And you are absolutely right, what is better, 36 and a degree or 36 and no degree?</p>
<p>The 30s-40s students I’ve run into here have all been really good students, and a lot of times make up the top of the class in grades. No idea about how well they do in industry after graduating, but they do well in school.</p>
<p>I’ve got to agree with HPuck and will add that my best Dr. ever had spent time in a medical lab before going to medical school. It helped him apply it all as he learned. Any chance you could get into a co-op program to gain industry experience along the way? What are you doing to support yourself right now?</p>
<p>I graduated at 30 with my BSEE (after flunking out at 22), and have had no career problems from my age. You need to remember that this should not be about comparing yourself to a 22 year-old BSEE holder, but about comparing yourself with the degree to yourself without it.</p>
<p>Cosmicfish…I wish there was a “like” button on CC!!</p>