Hey guys. I was last registered on this forum after I graduated HS in 2004. I went to UT-Austin as a Chem Engr major but did poorly due to several bad personal choices.
I’ve become a CNC programmer over the past 8 years after starting out as general labor in a machine shop. Earlier this year I tried my hand at a management job which I greatly enjoyed but did not get along with the family that owned the business and went back to programming and machining. I make 22/hr and with overtime I get about 60-70k before taxes.
At 31 I want to go to college again. I’m unsure about my major. The financial incentive is huge but I also know that I can accomplish getting a BS in some engineering major. I know I am am much sharper and focused even though I am older. I’m thinking of starting school all over again but do not know what kind of major would be right for someone who has worked with machining and automation.
I just moved to a much nicer neighborhood in the metro-detroit area and am 5 minutes from a community college where I would like to start from.
Thanks a lot for the suggestion! After searching around UMich AA also has something called Industrial and Operations Engineering. Something I am very interested in.
I am planning on working and taking care of my core curriculum at schoolcraft college and then transferring to one of the U of Ms. I am guessing I will have to switch to part time after that once I hopefully get accepted.
Really, you can do anything. You don’t have to let your previous profession limit your choices. I’m guessing that a career in machining will actually help you with most engineering majors.
Closely related majors may be mechanical engineering or materials science and engineering. Your background in CNC programming may also help out with a computer science or computer engineering major. And depending on what you were machining, aerospace engineering or civil engineering may be good fits, too.
Most of my career I was a prototype CNC machinist and used CADCAm to generate toolpaths. I machined several prototypes for the military especially General Dynamics and BAE as well as the auto industry (mostly GM). Since we had competitive turnaround times we would constantly request the design engineers to omit or ignore unnecessary, redundant and or impractical features in their drawings. This saved significant hours and lowered costs and I know a big reason for this were engineers who didn’t know what it really took to manufacture and assemble components. They aren’t necessarily taught this in college so I don’t blame them. I know my years programming and machining won’t go to waste.
I also have good reading, writing and communication skills. I know I don’t want to be an hourly wage worker. My only challenge is time balancing work and school. Something I took for granted when I was younger. I’ve told my girlfriend that she’s going to have to step it up and work full time while I’m in college.
@Neverminder - I would use your time at CC to brush up on the pre-calculus through calculus math courses that you probably haven’t used much recently plus take chemistry and physics. Seems like you won’t need Intro to CAD! Depending on your tolerance for th math and science courses you can make the call to head for an BS engineering degree (requires a ton of math and science) or an engineering technology degree (more hands on, less theory). I think your practical experience will make you an awesomely focused student. My daughter’s university has allowed her to get a lot of hands on experience; she’s worked in their Fabrications lab since Freshman year - she says it has really helped both with her academic work and in her internships to have had experience “doing”. She regularly has to work with other students (both graduate and undergrad) on their projects to help them overcome impractical/impossible design features.
It certainly sounds, offhand, like you have the STEM chops for an engineering program and the interest in the technical/mathematical side of things. But not really knowing you, I’ll also put it out there that if you have more of an artistic bent, Industrial Design could be another direction to go in. UMich AA’s program is graduate-level only http://isd.engin.umich.edu/degree-programs/design-science/master-of-science-program
@Neverminder Do it! A real world machinist with an engineering degree will be in high demand to large companies. You will be able to break away from the mom&pop shops and get into a place with real advancement opportunities.
I was an adjunct at the local CC more than a few years ago. The non-traditional students were always my favorite. They never complained, did the work and asked questions.
Just to reiterate what CaMom13 said, use your CC time to get your math skills up to or beyond Calc. Take it slow if you need time. Back in the dark ages I was a Math major and have forgotten just about everything past 10/11 grade math so don’t be embarrassed or intimidated by the kids who know stuff.
You will save a lot of money and have smaller classes by taking requirements at the CC. Just make sure the classes will transfer to your target university. Most schools have a list of CC classes that will transfer.
My S did Calc3/Multivar and Differential Equations at the CC senior year of HS at night. Both classes finished with under 10 students so you could ask questions anytime and the teacher was happy that the class was engaged. He jumped right into upper division math classes at big state university where even those classes have 25+ undergrads and a handful of first year grad students. One of his friends took Linear Algebra over the summer at that same CC and transferred it into his college. His goal was to graduate a year early, save money, and avoid that class at college since he is a CS major and was so done with math.
Good luck. Someday when you get that degree, come back here . It will make a great story.
Michigan is extremely picky on what transfers over from community colleges. Especially for Math and sciences. Talk to them once you know exactly what courses you will take. Some transfer only as credit so you would have to retake the class for engineering credit to count. Some cc are directly connected to Michigan like feeder community colleges. Find out which ones
It might be best to look up the admission people on the engineering michigan site and email or make an appointment to talk with them. They are extremely helpful and will work with you to make good decisions.
Not sure if Oakland College or Wayne State is much more then community College and might transfer better since your not living on campus? Also don’t limit yourself to Michigan. You have many places to become an engineer in Detroit metro area.
I dropped out of college my first time around, became an electronics technician, then returned at 28 to finish my degree. My technician experience has been valuable and my career has not suffered from my age - it may well have benefitted from it. It isn’t easy going back to school with a family, but if you do it right you can have a great career.
I fully agree. I see a number of students at Illinois Tech who are a bit older than the traditional college student. They are generally very motivated and do quite well.
Hey guys, I’m back and registered for Calc-3 and Econ 101 at the community college across the road. I will also be working 50 hour weeks but I’m recently single and have tons of free time. I haven’t been able to meet anyone who is an adult going back to college but was wondering if there’s any more information on how to successfully transfer to a 4-year engineering college.
Would admissions look down on someone taking just two courses a semester till they are able to transfer?
How did you guys manage to pay for a university degree while taking time off work? I know I will have to save a ton and maybe work a graveyard shift.
I spent the holidays revising Calc-1 and 2. I hope you guys had more fun!
I don’t think that anyone would ding you for being part time when you are working. As for paying for college, once you apply, you should work closely with the university’s financial aid department to make sure that you have a doable plan. There might also be some scholarships available that you can apply for, depending on the university. Your CC advisor can also provide some advice. Ultimately, the most important thing is not to overstress your finances. Make sure that you choose universities with ABET accredited degrees but which are affordable.
Hey guys! Sorry for bumping this old thread again. I’m still taking classes at Schoolcraft (Physics-1 and Intro to Programming). My work is clearly not supportive of my going to school and despite my work ethic, I have been indirectly told that they aren’t sure why they would advance me at work if I don’t plan on being with them long term. I think I will look for a new job after my xmas bonus. I like the pay I get from working in a machine shop but what other places should I look at where they would be supportive of my going to school at the age of 32?
My Engineering Physics class has three other students in their 30s and their work is paying for the course and even lets them leave early. I’m so envious…
I can understand your current company’s position as it sounds like they are just a machine shop. You would be better served, as you know, by a more supportive company.
Ask those other students where they work and if there are any openings there would be one avenue. Another would be to look at companies that do engineering and have their own machine shop or other tech work you could do. A company like that would generally be very supportive of your continued education.
Depending on your tolerance for th math and science courses you can make the call to head for an BS engineering degree (requires a ton of math and science) or an engineering technology degree (more hands on, less theory). I think your practical experience will make you an awesomely focused student. My daughter’s university has allowed her to get a lot of hands on experience; she’s worked in their Fabrications lab since Freshman year - she says it has really helped both with her academic work and in her internships to have had experience “doing”. She regularly has to work with other students (both graduate and undergrad) on their projects to help them overcome impractical/impossible design features.