<p>Hello! Hoping to get some advice as I enter into my senior year of Civil Engineering. I graduated a while back with a BS in Business Economics. I was stupid and ended up with a 2.6 GPA. Decided to get serious and follow my passion and now I am a year away from attaining my Civil degree. However, I will graduate at the age of 33. My GPA for this 2nd undergraduate degree is 3.4, which includes the pre-engineering classes. I have completed 2 internships with the city as a construction inspector, but this was many years ago (started as a civil before, became discouraged and ended up with the Economics degree). I have worked FT at night while earning this degree (great because it's slow and I can do homework) but it is in an unrelated field. </p>
<p>With that said, does anyone in this field have advice on types of employers I should look into? Ideally I would like to work for the city, or an entry level CM position. CM and transportation engineering are my passions, but seeing as I am much older than the typical grad and my only internship experience was many years ago, I am honestly confused as to whether firms would even consider me. Will the GPA from my previous degree keep me from entering this field? Thanks in advance for any advice.</p>
<p>How old do you look??? 33 isn’t ancient. I had a previous BA in an unrelated field too. I will graduate next year, at 33 as well, with a Masters in IE. So far employers really haven’t noticed, or cared I guess, and have always wanted me to interview after career fairs and whatnot. All they have cared about is my grades and drive to do the work.</p>
<p>Also, have you looked into the Railroad industry? It seems like they would have all that you wanted. I recently did an internship with Norfolk Southern and it was a great experience. Check it out. They have great job security, retirement, and benefits as well.</p>
<p>Luckily I still look pretty young. I’m a woman and very athletic…most people think I’m around 27-28. I have been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for the past 3 years and it’s been a great experience. I am hoping this experience helps, even if it’s just a little, but I honestly just love construction. I’m involved in ASCE, EWB, AGC, & Students in Transportation Engineering & Planning. </p>
<p>I live in the Pacific NW and honesty never even thought of the railroad industry! I’ll do some research. Thanks for the tip!</p>
<p>I did the same thing! Although my path was a little different. I come from a related industry and am trying to break into a different Civil field than you. If all else fails, the CE degree will still help me in my old field.</p>
<p>Will your old GPA hurt you? No. Why would it? You have a new one.</p>
<p>As far as the age discrimination, I’ll let you know, but from what I have read and seen it’s not worse than other fields. It also doesn’t matter how young you look, because they’ll have the date of your 1st degree on your resume.</p>
<p>As far as worrying about it, you’ve already gone this far, right? If you thought nobody would hire you because of your age, then why did you start the degree in the first place? It’s nothing you can control anyway, so just go for it.</p>