Is it realistic to want to become an Electrical Engineer at 45?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at the age of 45. It explores the challenges and considerations involved in returning to education later in life, including financial implications, job prospects, and personal experiences in academia.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses their intention to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering at 45, questioning the realism of this goal.
  • Another participant acknowledges the challenges of returning to school, emphasizing the need to manage finances and support oneself while studying, particularly with the added weight of potential student debt at an older age.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that the field offers numerous opportunities, especially if one is open to relocating internationally, and highlights the advantages of maturity and life experience in academic performance.
  • One participant shares their positive experience in returning to education, attributing their academic success to maturity and practical experience gained from previous work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present a mix of supportive and cautionary perspectives regarding the pursuit of an Electrical Engineering degree at 45. While some express confidence in the feasibility of the goal, others raise concerns about financial and employment challenges, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple viewpoints.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors that could influence the pursuit of this degree, including financial considerations, age-related job market dynamics, and the potential benefits of life experience, but do not reach a consensus on the overall realism of the goal.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career change to Electrical Engineering later in life, educators in adult learning, and those interested in the challenges of returning to higher education at an older age.

DarrellM
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Im 44 almost 45 and have returned to college to begin pursuing a degree as an Electrical Engineer. I know it will take a lot of work and a long time. Is this goal realistic?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Sure.

I'm sure you're already aware of what you're looking at. Assuming you have no prior university education, you're looking at 4 years of hard work. On top of that you have to figure out how you're going to (a) pay for it and (b) support yourself (and any dependents) while doing it. It's one thing to graduate with student debt in your mid-twenties. It's another ball of wax to have that same debt load when you're staring fifty in the face. There's also the issue of looking for work after you graduate. I don't think you'll face too much age discrimination at 50. On the contrary, you could come across as a diligent, mature worker who has demonstrated the ability to re-tool.
 
Perfectly realistic goal. The field is huge, and if your willing to relocate on the international scale, then number of opportunities will appear endless.
I returned to education after 6 year out in the real world and am currently halfway through (B.Sc) Physics, my main advantage over everyone else comes down purely to the fact that by being older, I have more actual experience, which has put me in a better position to research, identify and meet my objectives. I scored firsts with >80% in all exams and I would put it down to a maturity, that is invariably crucial in the sciences when considering systems, structures, concepts etc...
 
Your responses are helpful

Thanks
 

Similar threads

Other Master's degree advice to work in the Space Industry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Other Electrical Engineering bachelors to Astrophysics PhD -- good idea?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Is electrical engineering a good major for machine learning/AI jobs?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Programs Is a Physics BA a good route for exciting CS/Engineering Work?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Courses Help choosing modules for electrical engineer - electronics degree
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions How Can I Improve My Chances of Getting into a PhD Program in Engineering?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Other Mechanical drafter moving to electrical engineering
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Uncertainty in pursuing Engineering
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Physics Research as Electrical Engineer
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Studying Should I take up electrical engineering or computer science?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K