×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?
3

How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

(OP)
After a misdirected youth I'd like to go back to school and pursue a BS in either Mech. or Materials.
I'd be 38 at graduation. Too old? Be honest, I can take it.
 

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Engineering was my third major career path.  I graduated with a BS in engineering when I was in my mid forties.  No problems finding a job.  I am PE at this time and believe that my age and past experience was more of an advantage than a disadvantage.  

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

GO FOR IT!!  Particularly if you are sufficiently clear that it's what you want to do.

My wife is finishing up her residency at age 44.

I recall reading a news story about a woman who passed the bar at age 77.

TTFN



RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

I say go for it also. It is also a big plus if you already have either Mech. or Materials experience.
Good luck!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

I strongly suggest that you try before you buy. In particular you may find that maths is your biggest headache, so grab a decent engineering maths textbook and see how you go. I like Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Kreyszig, but then I'm weird. Schaum Outlines are cheaper and have more examples and are more focussed.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Good idea from Greg. Try it. You can also sign up for an online course that is self paced, to give you an idea of what some classes are.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Never too old to chase your dreams.  

Mr. Locock has a good suggestion, though, upon which I'll expand.  If you have an engineering university nearby, investigate their curriculum through their catalog.  Then check out the bookstore for the textbooks you will be using.  "Advanced Engineering Math" is only one of ~30 classes that will be required for a 4-year degree.  Then go surfing the net on Monster.com & others to see what companies are actually hiring engineers to do.  My personal philosophy after surviving a graduate engineering program is that (1) a BS degree teaches one how to solve problems and therefore engineers are problem solvers, and (2) industry is chock-full of problems and will always need problem solvers.  You may really enjoy problem solving and occasionally find an engineering job quite rewarding.  You'll have a decent lifestyle but you will probably never get "wealthy".

Mr. Locock:  why oh why did you have to cite "Kreyszig" ?  Aaauuuuggghhhhh!  I thought I buried that painful memory years ago!  The pages of my copy of Kreyszig still has the blood stains from when my head exploded.

TygerDawg

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

noen

How old will you be in 6 years if you don't go back to school?  

Still 38.

Are you worried that companies won't hire a new grad who's 38?  Mine does all the time.

Don't know where you live, but in many parts of the States there are community colleges (or 2 year colleges.)  Often these will offer classes at night.  You can take a class - in math(s), if you want - and see how you do while you're still doing your regular job.

Patricia Lougheed

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of the Eng-Tips Forums.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Noen,
I graduated when I was 38 with a BS in EE.  I found my maturity level to be an advantage for me.  I had flunked out of college at 19.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

To be honest, with the exception of the maths (which perhaps I am overemphasising), I can't see any disadvantage academically in being an older student. You are better motivated, better organised and (I am quite sure) less hungover than the normal age students.

The trick is going to be lining up a job afterwards. If you can figure that out beforehand then you'll be way ahead of the game.

TD, just to make you even sadder I have two copies of Kreyszig, one on each desk. Now I'll remember your note each tme I open them, and get an even odder reputation - "he laughs when he opens maths books"

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

If you are still breathing, you are not too old.  Good luck.

Regards,

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

One of my Dad's (engineering professor) students graduated at 69.

He retired from his sales career, and started college 2 weeks later. Graduated in 4 years with a BS in Engineering Physics. I think he got a MS in Applied Physics @ 71... and continued schooling. My dad actually lived across the hall from him in an apt the year before he started school.

Wes C.
------------------------------
No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

A guy I went college with was 37 or 38 at graduation- BS, ME.

He graduated in '98 I believe. He is now doing really well, enjoying his job, living in a really nice house, etc...

I think you'll be fine.


Ed

www.engineerboards.com

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

You're not too old, we had a number or 'mature students' on my course at Uni.  They usually put us 'immature' students to shame in both effort and results.

The only 2 real considerations I can think of are:

Are you really sure you want to do it, the 'try before you buy' idea would help with this one.

The second is the financial.  Can you do it in a way where the finanical payback once you graduate compensates for the cost, and potentially lost income while you do it.  Obviously if you're indepentantly wealthy and doing it for ***** & giggles then not an issue.smile

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

My opinion is that you are not to old.  But, I am biased.

BSME @ 43.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Neon,

It's never to late to pursue an educational goal.  I graduated at age 28.  My wife will graduate at age 38.  I say go for it.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Never argue with an idiot. They'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience every time.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

neon,

I would agree you should go for it. Alot of good advice here. I graduated at 31 (not quite 38). At school there was a club for "Non-Traditional Students" and the oldest one in the group was in his early fifties. I do believe your maturity can be an asset.

Rik

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

I'm almost 43. My job pays 100% of schooling. I'm going back very soon. I don't think it's too old.
At 38, you still have approx 25 years until retirement.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

You're never too old.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

2
It depends entirely on YOU.  What is the driving force behind your motivation to pursue the degree?  How much of your life are you willing to sacrifice?  Can you afford it? Do you LIKE it?  How are your math skills?  

If you want a good taste of what the schooling with be like.  Sign up for an online EIT/FE study aid like www.eitexam.com and start working the EIT practice problems.  Because working those problems is how your gonna spend most of your time pursueing such a degree.  You also need to test your math skills.

I am thirty and after studying for the EIT for the past couple of months.  I know there is no way I would want to start pursueing an engineering B.S. degree.  I am happy I did it, and happy with my career, but I couldn't do it again.  Everyone is different and if its something you are willing to sacrifice for, etc... go for it!!  However, I would not encourage you to pursue the degree if you think it promises big dollars.  



RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

noen
In 4 years it will be 2010.  If you start now you'll have a BS degree.
If you don't start in 4 years it will be 2010.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Senselessticker has some good points.

Honestly, I do not enjoy engineering entirely. I certainly don't like number crunching all day long and sitting in front of a monitor.

There are aspects that I love. I love manufacturing, product design, application engineering (helping others to solve product application problems), etc... However, there's not a whole lot of that in my area and I am not doing the things I would really like to be doing.

Keep that in mind. Try to be sure that the job opportunites that you want will be available to you.

Its not all the way that I thought it would be in that regard.

Ed

www.engineerboards.com

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

In 2087 I will be dead cry

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

But, you will always be here with us in Eng-Tips!

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Think about getting a job at a firm with ME’s (if you don’t have it already).  They may be able to get you money for school, and let you work part time.  This will also get you experience, should you want to get your PE.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Its not late.  There is part-time option while making money but unless you have discipline, chances are you may never finish.  If you are married now, you may be divorced before you get your degree.  I recommend full-time student and getting your degree as fast as you can (without working if financially feasible).

I agree with rday that maturity is an asset.  You will be surprized to find yourself abosrbing more relevant information compared to "traditional students".  Hence, better grades.

Once you are out, you can expect faster career advancement compared with younger graduates.

One of the posts mentions math.  Most high schoolers who are afraid of math don't generally go into engineering.  Even those who like math, some will be weeded out in the first few years of college because of math.  Importance of math is a very good point.  But in practice (I am a licensed structural engineer) math I use involve basic arithmetic and a bunch of empirical formula.  If you can "pass" college level math, you will not sweat the math used in practice.

Regards.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Keep in mind with the Kreysig book, that it was something I hit, I think, in the 4th semester of college- it's not like they expected you to know anything resembling that when you started college.

I would guess that the #1 reason 38-year olds don't go to college is they're too busy putting food on the table for the family.  If you can work it out, go for it.

When I was in college, out of perhaps a 100 ME students in my class, there were 2 I think that were older, already had families, etc.  They took education seriously.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

The world is a very big place. It was the only maths book I used at uni, it was the recommended text.

There again that was back when A levels were hard.

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

(OP)
Thanks everyone, very encouraging. I'm going to brush up on my math and see if my brain still works... if it does I might just go for it!

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

You didn't say what it was that you were doing in your misguided youth.  If you were doing something related to ME work, you might have no disadvantage at all, in fact you might have an advantage over 'wet behind the ears' young grads.  If your prior experience didn't apply, then you have no advantage in that regard.

I once encountered a man who had gotten a ChE degree at an age similar to yours and he found an age ceiling working for a large corporation whereby the company favored younger workers (he got work but stagnated) for promotions because they had more years to give to the company as they moved up.  He felt by passed and eventually left the profession and when I knew him, he was building houses.

I don't know if that was true, or just his perception but give it some thought.

rmw

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Start now!  If you don't 4 years will be gone in a flash and you will be kicking yourself saying 'if only'.

It was this kind of thinking that got me started on my degree.  Plus make sure you are doing it for the right reasons (not just financial gain but self improvement as well) and make sure it is a subject matter you can enjoy.

My background and education is Instrument/Electrical yet I have gone on to do a Chemical Technology degree which I have found really interesting.  If I had continued down the doing more I/E path I think it would have bored the hell out of me.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?


I agree very fully with many here that being older will be an advantage compared to the "kids" you will be surrounded with.  

There a handful of "old guys" who were working on their EE degree the same time I was.  MOST did well.  SOME crashed and burned.

Generally the ones that did well: Had full support and understanding from their families, worked very part time (as opposed to trying to hold onto a full time jobs), were in a position where there was little financial burden while attended school.

Generally the ones who crashed and burned: Tried to hold onto their existing career by working too much, were single, tried too much to "party" with the young guys, and were under financial burdens.

If you have the support of your family, and the money is either there or available, and you treat the schooling like a Mon.-Fri 8-5 job.  Then most likely, you will be successful. AND finding a good job afterward should be easy.  Especially if you have contacts in the mech world already who respect you.  Good luck with whatever you decide!!

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

I followed a traditional path but when I was in college, I had a friend who was at least 10 years older than me.  He was married and his wife had a miscarriage and a still born.  He returned to college after serving the US Navy and working a while to support his family.  To my recollection, he wasn't a genius.  Just a pretty-smart-average-guy.  However, he did better than most young students because of his maturity.  I'm sure he had less time to study compared to other students, joining the study group once in a long while.  Yet, he was a very active participant in class and did exceptionally well.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

you can accomplish this. you arent too old

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

I wouldn't worry about the maths and don't put too much emphasis on understanding the problems on your own right now.  Nearly everyone needs to be helped along and that is what professors are for.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

What, are you planning on giving up and dying in the next couple of years???  38 years old, you're just starting !!!

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

Man.. i thought you were older!


38 isnt old!  if you want to be an engineer to be rich, i say forget about it.  I am still jealous of my wife's attorney starting sallary.  If you want to be one because you want to be one, then go for it.  

RE: How old is too old ? (to begin a BS in ME) ?

go for it!!, you're not alone. Some of my best classmates were the big guys (35+). Sometimes, they where already parents and even grandfathers/grandmothers, they were mature and knew what they wanted in life. They gave me a big example in life. I was always worried about finishing college right in time (5yrs the max) and through them I saw that there shall be no rush, sometimes, life is not about having a major, but to enjoy it, and as "COEngineeer" stated above, if being and engineer is going to satisfy yourself, enjoy the college life, why not?!! Try it , even if your math skills are waaayy back, almost forgoten, give it a try, otherwise you will always be thinking in getting or not into college,

Regards, best whishes, do well!!!

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources