<p>I turned 29 this year and I have decided I want to be an engineer. I got an A.A. from a community college when I was younger, so I have all the bs classes out of the way (eng lit, comp, civ, etc)</p>
<p>When I was younger I was horrible at, and hated math. One day recently I woke up and all the sudden saw numbers differently. I'm now taking pre-cal at a CC and it is so easy I am falling asleep. I have actually taken to studying cal on my own and am finding it extremely easy and intuitive.</p>
<p>All this to say that I want to be an engineer. I live in Huntsville, AL and would be attending UAH. For those that dont know, Huntsville is home to the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, as well as tons of companies like Boeing, Lockeheed, etc. Given this, and the fact that I do not wish to relocate, I am going for Mech/Aero (UAH offers a joint program)</p>
<p>Yes, I know it will be hard. But I have an undying thirst for learning and knowledge and I feel confident I can do it. My main concern is that I will be, at best case, 33 before I graduate. How will I fare against people a decade younger in the job market? Assuming I have stellar grades, will I have a shot?</p>
<p>In case you're wondering, I spent the last 10 years in construction, have ran a couple crews, and held management positions. I have had some decent gigs but now i want the real deal. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for any and all advice/input/encouragement.</p>
<p>Engineering is a pretty logical profession, and I think pretty much anybody would look at your past experience as doing nothing but enhancing your resume. The profession really values practical experience, and knowing the best way of doing things. That said, if you've got the tuition and the determination to get through college, I think that it probably won't be an issue.</p>
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My main concern is that I will be, at best case, 33 before I graduate.
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<p>And how old will you be if you don't graduate?</p>
<p>What I am trying to say is better late than never. I have worked at several companies, both in microelectronics and aerospace, and never once have I ever seen anybody penalized by the age at which they earned their degree. It is quite common for workers to go back to school to earn their bachelor's degree. And once they get that degree, they are treated the same as other employees with a similar degree and job experience.</p>
<p>The place I interned had 3 interns. One was me (20), and the other two were in their mid 30s. You're talking about graduating in your early 30s, still PLENTY of time for an enriching (and profitable) career in engineering. As far as the job market goes I don't see any reason you'd be at a disadvantage, and assuming you've been doing SOMETHING over the last decade or so you may be ahead of the curve. Look for internships over the summers you're at school and you'll be fine in the job department. If you think you'll like it you should go for it, before you're a 35 year old still talking about going back to college someday.</p>
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How would you be 33 before you graduate if you already have an AA degree? O_o
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You'd be working and going to school at the same time, so I'm willing to bet that going to school part-time is a very logical approach to keep a healthy balance.</p>
<p>I think it is a great idea and I wish you much success. By the way, last year when my son was a freshman, there was a guy in his 30's in one of his classes. He fit right in with the rest of the students and even joined in with their study group. He brought a valuable perspective to share with the younger students. You will be an asset to your classes with all your experience.</p>
<p>try see if you can't talk to professors/depts you are interested in for their take but...
I know a man in his 50's getting his master's in architecture (he is a degreed minister right now). I knew a woman in her late 30's early 40's pursuing a civil engineering degree..she was divorced with 2 kids and loved beams! She moved and I have no idea if she finished but....all this to say that if you are motivated and have the energy and money to do so why not?</p>
<p>Or it could be the other way around Electric, work part time and go to school full time. But that would only work if he was renting an room or something</p>
<p>Not too late. From first-hand similar experience, there are some potential draw-backs you should be aware of:
1) you may not fit in very well with the younger people in the program who came in directly from HS. This might not seem like a big deal, except that there are lots of occasions where you need /want to work cooperatively (on projects, helping each other with the tougher assignments, etc.) and you might sometimes find yourself "odd man out". And to be honest, you'll also want to have somebody to interact with socially, even if it's just to commiserate occasionally about how much work you have to do. You will be lucky if you have other, older returning students in your program who you might be able to hang with more easily. Of course that's an individual thing.
2) part-time can be tough, and 4 years is a long time. when things get rough in other areas of your life it can be easy to tell yourself it's no big deal to skip a semester, or two. Don't give in to that. I work with a number of people who've "almost finished their degree" for maybe two decades.
At 33 with a degree, you will still have time for a full career. Don't worry about that part of it at all.<br>
Good luck.</p>
<p>Yea like weldon stated, the only issue I see that might bother you is the age of your classmates and the whole social aspect. But then again, that shouldn't be a big deal...</p>
<p>One way to go would be to merge your prior work experience and your college degree (i.e. construction work + civil engineering).</p>
<p>Dont worry about it that much. In my school, there are quiet a few older students. They dont seem to have a harder time finding work. I think at the end of the day - the employer wants someone that can do the job, and if you're that person, good for you.</p>