Am I too old to be doing this?
Am I too old to be doing this?
(OP)
Hello. I am 33 y.o. male and a structural engineering graduate student. I am somewhat of a career changer; I have my undergrad in mathematics. Prior to starting my engineering studies, I occupied a couple occupations: Soldier, Mail Man, HS Teacher, Fed. Employee, and State Employee. I am using the post 9-11 Montgomery GI bill to finance my education.
Do you think I will face age discrimination once I enter the work force at age 35.5? I will have no real job experience. I hope to have interned at least one summer and passed the EIT. In the deep recesses of my mind I guess I am questioning the reasonableness of what I am doing. I could keep my state job with California and work my way up the life sucking bureaucracy; I'd rather let someone eat my face.
Do you think I will face age discrimination once I enter the work force at age 35.5? I will have no real job experience. I hope to have interned at least one summer and passed the EIT. In the deep recesses of my mind I guess I am questioning the reasonableness of what I am doing. I could keep my state job with California and work my way up the life sucking bureaucracy; I'd rather let someone eat my face.





RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
Most important thing is that you enjoy your work. Period.
Fe (IronX32)
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
TTFN
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RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
Regards
Pat
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RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
Most people I know would gladly hire someone older with real work experience as pat says. There is a perception that younger people tend to be lazier and flightier. In a general sense, I think this is true, although there are many exceptions to the rule.
Pat also makes a good point about salary. The extra experience will not mean much, if any, extra money as compared to a new graduate.
My friend eventually got an MBA and moved into IT management at an insurance company at age 44, which was his first job in that field as well.
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
It appears that all of your jobs thus far have been public sector. You might want to start there again.
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
I took a similar rout myself. Nearly finished my education degree (chemistry) in the early 90's when I realized I didn't want to be teaching high school students. Got a (good) job in telecommunications as a technician, worked there 10 years, but realized that I wasn't doing what I wanted to. Went back to night school for ChemE, finished in 3 years with my BS (at 35), and started looking for a job in my field. I had two offers within a month of graduating, and took the second. It was difficult losing my vacation (dummy me forgot to fight for the extra weeks vacation during the negotiations), but I was able to keep at a similar pay level, albeit without the OT potential. If you haven't seen it yet in the forums, it seems like most of us work ~50+ hours per week for what is ostensibly a 40 hour a week job. I haven't seen any engineers at the two plants I have worked at that did less than 45 per week, and most do much more. But, if you have found your niche, it makes all the difference in the world.
Regards,
Matt
Quality, quantity, cost. Pick two.
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
As for my opinion about your current question: I've been in the field for over 30 years, so I have some experience with this. All other things being equal I would hire you over a younger competitor just so I wouldn't have to deal with the immaturity that always comes with youth. After you were hired, I would be able to quickly tell if you belonged in the field, and I would tell you.
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
I have worked for 20-some years in mechanical engineering and design roles, but the crazy turnstyle that it has been the past 5-10 years made me go back for a degree in Business Administration. Unfortunately, I am in my mid 40's and fear the same thing you spoke of, age discrimination, when I do achieve my degree early next year. Oh, well, it's all in the Lord's hands.
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
RE: Am I too old to be doing this?
My philosophy. If George Bush is dumb enough or brave enough to parachute out of a perfectly functioning aircraft at age 85 .......