Hello everybody,
I am new to the forum. So I’ll jump right in.
I am thirty years old, have three kids with another (last) on the way. In High School (graduated 2004) I took Calculus and of course physics. Since that time I’ve served in the military as a Jet Engine Mechanic and worked for a company building composite prototype aero vehicles. WitH all of that said to give you an idea of my interest and pure joy of knowing how, why and back to how things work.
I’m curious to recieve opinions on being thirty with kids going back to school for engineering. I feel as if my experience thus far working with engineers and being friends with engineers coming out of prestigious colleges with masters degrees that I have an idea of what it is about. Yet I’m feeling sort of old for class. Are there other older students in class? I plan to go for it reguardless but was in need of open honest opinions from other people than my friends. Also how much does the college name really matter in the career field? Is opportunity more so based off GPA for employment? Which truly matters because people I know have degrees out of places like Berkley and Stanford to work somewhere, in my opinion isnt using the Berkley name how i would have thought it to be used. To me it seems like that would be a brand name to generic brand plus the incredible price difference. I intend to GE at a community college and transfer to SDSU for grad and masters, if I’m not too old
Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, I intend to work towards Mechanical rather Aero, with a minor EE.
When I was in college, a classmate was a 30ish year old nontraditional student (also happened to be a military veteran). In the workplace, I have met coworkers with such backgrounds. And Berkeley’s 2011 University Medalist was an older nontraditional student.
So do not be too concerned about being an older nontraditional student.
Honestly I think you can go to college at any age. So I say go for it! I knew a 72 year old woman attending a college she had been freed from a concentration camp and decided she wanted to be able to experience college and she did it!
Wow, that immensely encouraging! Not to mention in line with what others have said. I suppose it is a matter of not letting myself get in the way of something I’ve wanted for what seems like a lifetime (until I read about the old lady story)
Also, as I had said I am new to the site and reading around I’ve learned a lot about GPA compared to school name and as it seems, at least as of the 4 year old posts I had read, UCSD has a decent program. Thank you very much.
I went to graduate school with a 48-year-old guy. He went on to get his PhD and became an engineering professor!
My husband was 28 when he went back to engineering school. I’m glad he went back, or he wouldn’t have met. 
If you don’t go to college to become an engineer, how old will you be four to five years from now? The same age as you will be if you go. You are never ever ever too old for an education. If you do study engineering, will you be in class with some savvy 18 year olds? Yes. But will it matter? No. Everyone there has something to bring to the table, and your age and experience will likely make you a stronger student in many ways. Engineering is a very demanding degree program, and it will present challenges as you will have to balance the demands of family life with the intense academic demands, but if you, your wife, and your kids know this going in and you constantly make adjustments for this, then you should be okay. Military wives and kids are strong.
I am not an engineer, but my understanding from this website and also knowing a large number of engineers, is that ABET accreditation is what is important when looking at programs. And yes, I from what I understand GPA does have some bearing on getting internships and that first job. Although, two of my nephews were never able to secure internships during the college years, had decent but not stellar GPAs in mechanical engineering, and both were able to find good jobs right out of school.
At least you have a respectable back story. I failed out of my first school and didn’t do anything useful with my life until around 25, finally going back to school at 28, married, and with a daughter on the way. I’m in my last semester now, about to turn 33 in a week.
Speaking from personal experiences,
Positive factors of age:
-More disciplined, able to stay focused getting work done - this generally leads to much higher than average grades
-Not distracted by the trappings of college (frat parties, many useless outings the 18-22 year olds use to experience social life), etc.
-Interactions with your professors may go more smoothly (i.e. you both have kids, a house, etc, now you have something in common to talk about).
-Your work and life experience may enhance your appreciation of the theory you’re learning - both technical and gened classes
-People are typically bad at guessing ages, this is even more the case if you’re healthy and young looking (i.e. don’t smoke, don’t have a beard, not overweight), so generally speaking people, including job recruiters, will probably underestimate your age if you’re concerned about ageism or being made fun of.
Negative factors of age:
-None as far as I’ve found 
Direct answers
There are other older students. They’ll be most prevalent at the community college. At a large state school, less saturated, but they’re around and will likely be your first source of college friends, especially since it is likely they’ll be transfer students like you will be.
College name does not really matter as much as your ability to network and capitalize on opportunities. That said, if you’re at a place like Berkeley or Stanford, the network will be stronger and opportunities will appear more frequently than say a directional state school.
GPA can be a major filter for employment, but not always. I had a 4.0 most of my time through college this time around, but the first internship I got was at a small R&D lab through a friend (networking remember?) and they didn’t care about my GPA at all. Two of the guys working there who also went to my community college (one MechE/former marine/current reservist, one EE) both had sub 3.0 GPA’s when they were hired. On the opposite end of the spectrum, ULA listed a 3.9 on our engineering career center, only interviewed me and on other student in my department.
The second internship I got was at JPL and the recruiter had an informal cutoff of 3.2. He interviewed 20 people on campus - of the five of us that got internships the breakdown was 2.92, 3.54, 3.76, 3.89, 3.97. Everyone but one of those got that interview and knew what to say through networking (seeing a common theme?).
At my internship and soon to be future place of employment, I worked with people who had/were getting degrees from, CalTech, MIT, Stanford, UT Austin, Georgia Tech, CSU Northridge, Cal Poly SLO, SDSU, Carnegie Mellon, CU Boulder, North Dakota State, USC, University of Cincinnati, basically lots of places. My take away from that is that **brand name and GPA are not what your coworkers care about at all. Instead competency and ability to work seamlessly with a team determined success. The people that were there, were there because they were talented engineers who worked well together/b.
Some words of caution that hopefully won’t apply to you
School is a perverse schedule, it WILL put a stress on you and your family, especially if your finances are tight. I was working two part time jobs to help with bills and staying at home one year during the day time with the baby and going to school at night. When my wife’s company got sold, there was a limbo period where she might have gotten laid off and we had just bought a house, etc etc. = STRESS
Looking back I wish there were a few things I had done differently:
- When you’re at your wits end, DO NOT get upset. Smile, fake it until your eyes bleed, because your wife will be unhappy if you are an A-hole at any point in this endeavor.
- Be realistic with your goals and let your wife have input. Are you willing to relocate if a good job opportunity comes up? If not, will you be happy with whatever you can get locally?
- Find ways to include your family with your school life, don’t segregate the two.
There will probably be pros/cons of your age, with a bit more pros to your advantage. However you will likely find challenges regarding finances and time. So I’d say steer toward low cost (minimal loans) and a convenient location. ABET is important, prestigious name not so much.
Many years ago, I had the privilege of working with a guy we jokingly referred to as “the world’s oldest co-op” who was essentially working his was through a degree. At the time, I was a little envious of his attitude and general outlook on life. Now that I am roughly his age I understand he really just had the perspective of a guy in his mid 40s.
My point? Age is not a consideration. If you can do it (finance/familytime) and want to do it, the just do it.
@da6onet
I am seriously hoping while obtaining an AS degree my networking skills greatly improve. As I am the thinker type. Zodiac signs aren’t always true yet I am a Libra, always weighing the out come, thus, thinking. I can see where age and maturity will be a positive factor. Also, being prior service, I’ve done a lot of heavy partying pre family life. Enough that only extensive counseling could cure. I am well equipped to avoid it at all costs. My wife and I understand what continued education will mean for the future of our family.
@colorado_mom
We are fortunate enough for the time being to have VA disability vocational rehabilitation (me) and the G.I. Bill (her, air traffic control USAF) in which will pay for a large portion of housing and basic essentials while in school. Along with financial aid, I’m fairly certain my family will be at minimal stress levels (given circumstances) we can be.
I am truly dedicated, obsessed actually, with my field of work. Once I get into school, earn high marks, my plan is for an internship to play out in my favor for a smooth transition. Networking to get it right, on time, effectively and efficiently.
I also believe their is a plan for everybody in life. Lets pray this is mine, and along the way my previous life experiences reach another life in a positive manner.
As for blending in with the younger students. I served endlessly day and night often, which adds age to a person. Did I mention three kids? I also am capable and have a very large, well oiled and conditioned beard with a “politician haircut”. Full arm sleeve tattoos (overseas) including hands (stateside). Not much chance for any blending I suspect.
Again, thank you all for the kind suggestions and encouragement.
I also wanted to add, I asked my buddy from Stanford who is much younger than I am, his thoughts on school prestige given his credentials. His reply was to get involved in side projects as much as possible to show employers I am serious as to what I am going to accomplish and offer perseverance and dedication beyond other candidates resumes. Food for thought for others with similar questions as mine.
You’re never too old.
I just went back to college last semester, and I’m 45. I have two daughters, 17 &15, and I’m trying to get my bachelor’s degree before they graduate high school (I have a lot of transfer credits).
30 is a baby! You can do it. You won’t blend-you will feel really weird and uncomfortable for about a week, then everyone (including you) will forget about it.
Just make sure you have the full support of your spouse and they understand what it means to have you in school. Mine was very on board with it and willingly steps up when the mom stuff I usually do gets put on the back burner because I have three 8 am classes this semester and have to leave at 7 am, so if the girls have a tragedy in the morning (Dad my flatiron won’t work!) he has to handle it.
However, my caveat is (and this my not apply to you) is that I could not balance college with young kids because my husband is the primary wage earner, and I am the primary hands-on parent. The kids just took too much of my time.
If you’ve got three kids and one on the way, your wife is going to be wiped out if she’s home with them all day, and may need to you to be there in the evenings. If you’re at school, you’re putting a LOT on your wife. Maybe too much right now.
I waited until my kids were fairly independent to go back, and I STILL missed a class yesterday because one was having an issue with AP class sign up and needed me to come in and talk to the guidance counselor-in this case my husband couldn’t help because he’s not familiar with all the college/school/AP/IB stuff because that’s my bailiwick. I literally walked into class, got a text, got up, and walked out and drove an hour back home. It happens, but not so much now that the kids are older.
My major isn’t STEM so I can’t speak to that side of it.
@MotherOfDragons
I had a full reply, yet simply felt the caveat did not reply nor warrant a full reply. Thus,
I thought I should mention what was passed on in boot.
“Don’t worry about sleep because you won’t get any anytime soon. You will have plenty when you die.”
I am prepared for endless days, and sleepless nights. My wife will survive. Plenty of single mothers with more kids than we have survive. This too shall pass.
I am more concerned with the age factor given the educational focus and being able to be employable at an even older age, remaining competitive amongst much younger grads, or even gentlemen my age who have been engineering for ten years already.
@Bbsd14, you will love SDSU!
DD had to take some classes at SDSU after work. She said most of her classmates were older (4:00 pm class) and working!
FWIW: my DH prefers to hire “older” engineers with life experiences. He likes SDSU grads. :)>-
Yeah, uh, that sounds nothing like unconditional support. I think you need to have an honest conversation with your very pregnant wife and make sure this is something you both want equally. It’s not about survival, it’s about creating a good atmosphere for your family.
If that means you have to wait a few years to go back to college for your wife to be on board with it, then that’s what you do to keep your family together and happy.
It isn’t always about money or education. At the end of it, it’s about who you love and who loves you. Don’t screw that up, man.
Check out the child development center on campus at SDSU, and see what the wait list is.
I used to see young families meet for picnics, lunches, dinners on campus near the CDC. They also have family group activities. You do need wife support.
We literally, a few seconds ago, had this conversation. She had an appointment yesterday and felt as if she wasn’t there for the kids. Literally a two hour appointment. “Survive” wasn’t the best of words to have used. Essentially she enjoys being here with our kids. As said above. She is passing up a job in which she absolutely loved and did incredibly well at to be here for our kids. Myself, I need to stay busy. A man’s hands are no good when on idle. Realistically, I would be concerned for my kids to not see dad but that is where scheduling comes into play along with endless sleepless nights. Our view on society is not nearly in line with societies view. Tolerance isn’t where we stand amongst several other irrelevant topics.
You are absolutely correct. It isn’t about money. If it were she would make the ATC wage, we would send our kids away all day with a stranger to raise them and we would be running around after work trying to catch up at home with lottle to no time for them. Not at all in line with what we are about.
I’m not looking forward to this becoming a conversation on how to raise a family. Or be there for that matter. Especially considering we both discharged the military to be with our family. I am simply trying to be able to support a stay at home wife who is home schooling our children in the relatively near future.
@aunt bea I am looking forward to the family picnics on campus! I will certainly check it out.
Had to mention this last thing before I take the given advice and work it on my own. We do have unconditional love for family. It is all about family. Engineering for me is doing something I’m passionate about while supporting my family. I did ask for advice how to juggle all of it, not run from it. I have ran for quite some time without finding a line to finish the race. I understand I won’t be finishing the race of life by pursuing an engineering degree at my age. I simply will be starting another race essentially putting on a new pair of shoes to run in. Maybe another analogy would be getting a 53 broke down Cadillac when I already own a Porsche. Nothing wrong with the Porsche, I simply want to experience the joy of fixing the Cadillac.
(I don’t own a Porsche)
For some reason I feel the need to say this. The Laws of Thermodynamics state all things come from something within a system. Nothing outside the system may be created with it first being from within the system(then it wold still be in the system). Looking outside our universe at the system proves there is a God outside of the system by scientific theory. Maybe when we find something to explain a big bang, an alien theory or even an evolution theory the question, the question will remain. Where did that come from? Laws of Thermodynamics prove God is real.
If it is God’s will, I’ll become what I feel like is my God given talent and my family will survive. If not, we will still survive and the Laws of Thermodynamics will remain and He will remain outside of this system. Wish us luck.
God Bless all who read this, Jesus saves.
(Many other perfections in this universe only One could possibly have created. Tilt of the earth floating in space perfectly circling the sun all while spinning a perfect rotation in 24 hours. Not a minute more, not a minute less. 100 miles to or fro the sun or moon respectively, we burn or freeze to death) science is real real awesome to prove. God. Is. Real.
Hi @Bbsd14. I’m a mom, a single parent to a HS senior. I also happen to work in tech, at a company I can’t name, but you have heard of it. Promise. We do a lot of engineering stuff. The newest member of our team was an intern last year. She & I are both in our “mid-late 40s” (47). She just finished her Bachelor’s degree. We hired her. She rocks. Meanwhile, I’m in a doctoral program myself. Did I mention single parent and full-time job? Yes, yes, I did. (Oh. And also very, very active in my parish. Did you know that the discoverer of the big bang theory was a Roman Catholic priest? )
My point - odd things can happen and work out. I love working with returning students as interns because they have a VERY refined sense of what is important and what is not. Mistakes don’t cause them to collapse in a thousand pieces. I give guest lectures to undergrads at various institutions, and when they ask what the most important thing is that they can do to have a hope of ever working where I do, I say “You need to fail.” Parents know all about failure, frustration, getting up again, and keeping going. Students - including many who probably post here on CC - have never failed. Getting rejected by the Ivy League is not “failing.” They show up at their first job, screw something up, and they’re like deer in the headlights. We don’t have time to help pick them up and piece them together again. Fail fast. Fail often. Keep going. Returning students know how to do that, and how to handle it. Our older interns and new hires are fabulous. Tenacity and life experience matter as much in our world as the engineering stuff.
I went back to school when my son’s homework started being about as much as my grad school homework would be. We spent many hours studying together at a local liberal arts college - one that’s accepted him now, but other schools offered way more merit aid, so may have a better shot at getting him. I wasn’t going to sacrifice him for my own school, or for my job. What I did sacrifice - the “perfect home” - step into my kitchen and say hi to the contents of the fridge. Some of it may talk back. 
Laundry is iffy - thankfully, he goes to a school with uniforms, so that part is easy.
Good luck with whatever you decide. But please - strike that “too old” bit. It can be an asset, not a liability.