Becoming an Engineer: Considerations and Personal Experiences

[j450n]

age in engineering

Yes I look a fair bit older and I would be 29 when I graduate. Considering how much my mind has already decayed due to inactivity it would be a challenge to get through the degree. I think at that age it is fair call to question my motivation.

I am currently 33 years old and have been taking classes at night to pursue my BSEE. I am going full time in the fall and gave my current employer six months notice. I am giving up significant income in this pursuit. My projection has me finishing my BSEE in approximately 3 years. I will be 36 years old and hopefully looking at graduate school.

I will not let the fact that I didn't do this when I was 18-23 stop me from doing it when I am in my 30's. If you are unsure of your motivation you'll likely not even get the opportunity to defend it to a hiring manager.

Reality says people will talk and judge, that the road was unusual, that on some level your opportunities have diminished due to your chosen route. However, I have faced adversity in the past and learned that it is better to overcome it rather than let it paralyze you.

Good luck,

jason

 

[RufusDawes]

I have no idea how an employer is going to react to a 29 year or older graduate. They might just think it is unusual and leave it at that or they might think different = bad = don't hire. Australian employers tend to be less brutal than the Americans, but also less liberal with a lot of things.
There comes a point where facing adversity turns into futility.

 

[TVP45]

I have no idea how an employer is going to react to a 29 year or older graduate. They might just think it is unusual and leave it at that or they might think different = bad = don't hire. Australian employers tend to be less brutal than the Americans, but also less liberal with a lot of things.
There comes a point where facing adversity turns into futility.

Look, I once hired a 67 year old engineer who was at least 40 years away from the education and experience that I needed. Other than his post-prandial naps, he worked out fine. He wanted to do the work, he was able to do the work, he was honest about his "rusty" skills, and he was willing to accept a salary that matched his productivity. The question I have for you is whether engineering is what you WANT. If it really is, do it.

But, don't take my word for it. Call up a few engineering managers and ask to interview them over lunch (your treat, of course, and make it a decent restaurant). Lay it out and ask their opinion.

 

[SuperStringboy]

I am thinking to choose aerospace eng? How is it as career?

 

[xCanx]

Hey guys! Well I was reading through this thread and found the posts quite interesting.

I have a question for you all, I am planning to go into Electrical Engineering and in Ontario there a few school that also offer a program called Electrical Engineering and Management. I have always been interested in business as well, and thought this program would be perfect for me. But one of my friends said I should get a BSEE first then do a MBA because it might be too hard. What do you guys think?

 

[aestas]

I like building things and finding out why they work/making them work better very interesting. I'd love to go into the design aspect, and maybe work with airplane structure or something like that. Do I have a misconception about engineering? Is this what engineers do? Or is this more of an engineering technician's job? I'm kinda scared that I'm walking into something that is very difficult and isn't really something I thought I signed up for.

Unlike most people on the forum, I'm not gifted in math and physics, nor am I absolutely fascinated by it. Frankly, nothing at school right now is particularly fascinating (taking Bio, Chem, English and History this semester). But people often mistake my lack of interest for hatred, and it's not like I hate math or physics, I just see them right now as a means to an end. Judging on ability alone, I'm about average in high school math and physics, but now that I have a goal in mind, I think I can do better. I started off doing maths as a chore (and very poorly at that), because I really had no career goal in mind and I was just mindlessly going through my grade 11 year.

I'm scared to death that even if I do try my hardest (haven't yet at high school) that I won't be able to make it. Should I go into engineering if I'm worried it might be too hard for me?

 

[Feldoh]

How many people change their engineering discipline in the process of obtaining a bachelors? Right now I'm enrolled in mechanical, but I'm also interested in EE, and ChemE so I'm not sure which path I'll choose down the road.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[Shukie]

Hoping to graduate as an engeer in a few years.

 

[Andrei001]

Engineering as a career

Hi All

I should start by introducing my self since this is my first post on this forum. My name is Andrei and I found out about this forum randomly. This particular thread caught my attention immediately. Throughout high school I found physics and biology to be my top subjects. I wasn’t exceptional at maths and chemistry.
After high school I took one year off and worked for a while and also travelled.
During this period I reflected on my career prospects and I decided to go ahead and start a Diploma of Engineering (1 year course) in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Design. This course introduced me to Mechanical and Electrical engineering principles. I put some extra effort while studying and for the first time calculus and physics started to make sens to me. I currently work as a sales engineer in the HVAC industry and I enjoy working in this field. I am now seriously considering to further my studies. I like a lot of the aspects of mechanical engineering particularly the variety of areas you can work in. I would like to stick with building services though. I intend to commence uni studies early next year in Australia.
Any thoughts and/or suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[woodman 08]

I am a year 12 student currently deciding on a uni course and was leaning towards Civil engineering. that info helps heaps sounds like i'd be very well suited to it... Cheers

 

[Secretblend]

Engineering and deafness

Hello all, I've been reading this thread. It has been very interesting reading. After reading this thread, I decided to sign up so that I could learn more about my planned career.

I have been wondering about one thing. I am wondering how being deaf and being an areospace engineering would work? I intend to see it through regardless what happens and how hard it might be. I was just wondering how you guys would see it.

 

[Secretblend]

I'm surprised nobody has answered my post. Is it cause of being afraid of offending me? If so, don't be. I asked cause I am curious and would like to know what to expect.

 

[TVP45]

I worked closely with a profoundly deaf mechanical engineer. He had some problems, but nothing really career-threatening. Most decent companies will provide TTY phones, lights on the phone ringer, and other adaptive equipment as requested. Most aerospace firms are fairly decent folks and they generally have government-imposed requirements for EEO policies. You'll need a thick skin for the "under-the-table" crap you'll have to take from a few of your coworkers, but you surely know some sign profanity by now. You should do just fine.

 

[Secretblend]

I worked closely with a profoundly deaf mechanical engineer. He had some problems, but nothing really career-threatening. Most decent companies will provide TTY phones, lights on the phone ringer, and other adaptive equipment as requested. Most aerospace firms are fairly decent folks and they generally have government-imposed requirements for EEO policies. You'll need a thick skin for the "under-the-table" crap you'll have to take from a few of your coworkers, but you surely know some sign profanity by now. You should do just fine.

Thanks for the reply. It also made me laugh. I do know few signs I could use if I decide to.

As for your co-worker, How did he keep up in the meetings if he was in one?

Would it be a big deal if I am unable to keep up in meetings? How often are those meetings. Just stuff like that. I am not sure how the work environment is for engineering yet. Those are things that I'm interesting in learning more about. Do they record everything that happens at meetings that I could read to make sure that I did not miss anything that I might need to know?

Stuff like that is what I would like to know more about.

 

[TVP45]

Thanks for the reply. It also made me laugh. I do know few signs I could use if I decide to.

As for your co-worker, How did he keep up in the meetings if he was in one?

Would it be a big deal if I am unable to keep up in meetings? How often are those meetings. Just stuff like that. I am not sure how the work environment is for engineering yet. Those are things that I'm interesting in learning more about. Do they record everything that happens at meetings that I could read to make sure that I did not miss anything that I might need to know?

Stuff like that is what I would like to know more about.

Engineers spend a lot of time in meetings (estimated 25%), but much of the material will be provided on handouts and power-point slides. If it's a problem, you can request closed captioning. Are you in the US? ADA stipulates reasonable accomodation. Some companies will discriminate against you in hiring and/or in career promotions. Try to avoid those guys; look at federal civil service, NASA for example, or academic institutions, Univ of Texas at Austin e.g.

You can always focus your career on areas where hearing is less important, for example, CFD. Heck, half those people don't even seem to speak any known language!

Are you a member of SHHH? Here's a link that you might look at. Many of these folks might be of some assistance. The SHHH president a coupla years ago was a PhD engineer.

Oh, one more thing. I don't know how militant you might be about deaf culture, but you'll probably need to hide that (if you are) for the first several years.
http://www.shhh.org/

 

[TAHK15]

Hi. I've read most of the thread and I didn't find anything about mining engineering. I feel that mining engineering fits me, but I am not sure about what exactly they do. I did a research through google, but still didn't find anything specific. I don't know if this topic is dead or not, but I would really appreciate someone telling me what exactly mining engineers do. Thanks alot.)

 

[Feldoh]

Hi. I've read most of the thread and I didn't find anything about mining engineering. I feel that mining engineering fits me, but I am not sure about what exactly they do. I did a research through google, but still didn't find anything specific. I don't know if this topic is dead or not, but I would really appreciate someone telling me what exactly mining engineers do. Thanks alot.)

Well why do you think mining engineering fits you?

 

[TAHK15]

I think it fits me by what I know about it, but I don't know much about it. that's why I'm asking for someone who knows about mining engineering to tell me about it. Thx a lot to anyone who replys)

 

[Andrei001]

My uncle is a mining engineer and he specialises in underground blasts. So he spends a lot of time with explosives and he also travels quite a bit. This is the sort of job that will keep you away from you family and friends for weeks at a time. He is mid 40 now and he steel enjoys it. If you got time try some work experience and get the right information before you commit yourself to study in the field.

Hope this helps

 

[TAHK15]

Thank you very much for reply, that helped)

 

[Paulo Serrano]

Okay, I'm back after all this time (I asked a question long ago).

It's been a while and now and I'm going to start actually studying engineering next year. I have narrowed it down to two of the courses that are available in the school I'm planning on going to:

• mechanic engineering
• mechatronic engineering

I know a couple of you people here don't "believe" in mechatronic engineering, but if it's a course offered at the university I'm going to then obviously it's an actual kind of engineering. I want to be a robotics engineer, so I'm wondering which I should take. Naturally it should be mechatronic as it is the three necessary fields of robotics into one, but I'm looking for job openings for mechatronic engineers and I can't find that many.

Fyi, the University is in Brazil, but I'm probably going to look for work in Europe after I graduate.

 

[ice109]

Ok I've been reading this post because I've been seriously considering engineering. I am a sophmore in college and currently my major is math ed but i decided i don't want to be stuck with an Ed degree.

Here is my situation I really like math, and i think science is interesting but recently I've been shying away from them because i high school its (math) gotten harder ie trig. In high school in every science class i took i always got a As except in Chemistry I got a B- (barely). Now I am in college and i was an english major because it was real easy to me but it was soooo boring so i switched to math. I was thinking architecture becuase i used to love drawing, (and I am into all forms of art) but i realize i won't be designing great buildings all the time like the sydney aquarium. So somebody talked to me about engineering (more practical), and now I am considering it. My grandma said i would be another like another (uncle quinton) who is an electrical engineer because i would always try to fix things.
Do i sound like engineering material? If so what type? I am really into thinking of new inventions like hover boards or gadgets from like james bond lol.

 

[smatt_31]

Hello all,
My name is Matt. I am an older student as well as many that I have read about. Chemical engineering is what I am studying. This fall I should be starting pro school at OSU. The big question that I keep asking myself is do I want to switch to straight chemistry or continue with the engineering. I love chemistry and would like to continue working with it closely. I don't want to be stuck in a job designing how much cleaning agent needs to flow into a vat of wood pulp to make paper. I guess what I want to know is how much education is necessary before I can get a chance at some research?

Thanks

 

[jaypooner]

Okay, I am a freshman in college, and I was on the course of environmental engineering. After some thinking, I realized that this wasnt for me because I was always interested in alternative energy like solar, wind, nuclear, and all that stuff, and I also like stuff like transportation systems and mass transit so I changed my course towards electrical engineering. Was this the right decision or should I have changed to mechanical engineering?

For some background info, physics is very tough for me. It is very hard to figure that stuff out, but i find math very easy. It is just very natural for me to put the time into math more than physics. Also, I am interested in electronics, and once looked into the Informatics major but thought otherwise.

 

[faitswulff]

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm

Job statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that engineering isn't going away anytime soon. Check out biomedical and petroleum engineer predictions.

Also, like nebuqalia said, engineers have two things going for them: mathematical aptitude and dedication. You can basically take these two traits and go into anything you want.

One more thing that wasn't mentioned is going straight into entrepreneurship. If you can solve problems, and you have the aforementioned traits, you can sell those solutions. Computer Science generally has this easier in terms of R&D, though. Yes, I'm looking at you, Google, Youtube, Microsoft...

It's a lot riskier, but you're not "working for the man" =P

 

[RufusDawes]

What do you think of Civil Engineering ? I have gathered some very negative opinions that go as far as to say it is not real engineering and that it is more boring than accounting. Also that it has very limited applications.

 

[jesuslovesu]

Internships/Coops

Hey guys, I will most likely have the opportunity to get an internship or co-op at my father's place of work. Unfortunately, what the engineers do there has nothing to do with what I would actually like to do. My question is would this affect me negatively if I were to get an internship in a field that I don't want to actually work in once I graduate?

I am majoring in EE, the work would probably be in manufacturing engineering (it's a machine company which employs EE to design the electrical systems, although I'm not positive as to what I would do exactly.)

My major interest in EE is physics related, I like electromagnetics and semiconductor manufacturing, unfortunately this internship wouldn't expose me to any of that. Could I still get a good job at a tech company if I were to take the internship?

 

[smarties]

Hi everyone

I am about to start my first year of engineering and would like to know if civil engineering is harder than electrical engineering in regards to the maths and physics work load? Which specialty offers better job prospects for the future?

Thanks in advance

 

[vandorin]

I just finished my freshman year of college as a psych major. Later on I had to take a physics course over the summer to help boost my hours from 24 to 28. But after taking that class, my whole view has changed. It was an hour and 50 min class, but my attention was always captured by the things we were doing. And one of the things that has really captured my attention is flight, planes/rockets(especially rockets!)/helicopters, and so I was thinking about changing my major from psychology to aeronautical engineering. I loved taking things apart as a kid and finding out how things work, and my skills in math/science aren't too shabby. Although physics was a tough class for me, I felt great after I learned how to solve the problems on my own properly, and was just hoping someone could let me know if Aeronautical engineering is a worthwhile field to venture into?

 

[Feldoh]

Aeronautical engineering is a worthwhile field. That's actually what I'm majoring in right now. Basically it's a specialization of MechE. As for career outlooks it's looking pretty good however you'd probably me more employable with a degree in mechanical engineering (sine it is a bit more broad), but if you know that you really want to work in the aeronautical/aerospace industry then I think that an aeronautical degree is what you want.

Although I guess you could say with most of the machines you described there are many engineering fields involved. Chemical and electrical engineers also work to design planes, rockets, and helicopters so there are a lot of options.

 

[RufusDawes]

Can anyone give me a run down on the engineering disciplines ?

I've heard Civil is boring and can be pointless. Is also the easiest and has a very wide applications, but is also very popular at the moment. Hence possibility of coming over supply.

You need to be a genius for electrical but you get jerked around by HR and become an expense that the company wants to cut. Also age discrimination will be the biggest problem here so at my age (almost 25) and with my limited ability electrical is not viable.

Mechanical looks good but there are not many jobs.

 

[Serbian.matematika]

Can anyone give me a run down on the engineering disciplines ?

I've heard Civil is boring and can be pointless. Is also the easiest and has a very wide applications, but is also very popular at the moment. Hence possibility of coming over supply.

You need to be a genius for electrical but you get jerked around by HR and become an expense that the company wants to cut. Also age discrimination will be the biggest problem here so at my age (almost 25) and with my limited ability electrical is not viable.

Mechanical looks good but there are not many jobs.

dear brother please don't think negatively about yourself, please don't let your prime age for studies go by, you are young very young. your age is the best!
my cousin started at the age of 31 and he is a well known prof eng in Ontario.

you are right about electrical it is very, very difficult program but it is doable and i am not just saying it because i am a relative of Nikola Tesla.

 

[KennyCivE]

I've heard Civil is boring and can be pointless. Is also the easiest and has a very wide applications, but is also very popular at the moment. Hence possibility of coming over supply.

You need to be a genius for electrical but you get jerked around by HR and become an expense that the company wants to cut. Also age discrimination will be the biggest problem here so at my age (almost 25) and with my limited ability electrical is not viable.

Mechanical looks good but there are not many jobs.

You probably heard from non-civil engineers. I got my bachelor's and master's degree in it, and I love it. Currently I'm working for a construction manager on a $1B+ project and it's pretty exciting.

Being the easiest is debatable.

I think it actually doesn't have that many applications. The knowledge you gain is pretty specific to building and designing structures, though the type of structure can be many different things.

It's beginning to get popular, but there is nowhere near any overabundance of civil engineers. At least in the United States, I always hear that there aren't enough quality civil engineers around, and that is the main reason companies haven't been able to grow.

Mechanical engineering is probably the broadest. You can go into a variety of fields from biomedical engineering to robotics to manufacturing.

 

[E. Blackadder]

Hi guys,

I'm currently doing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, and am halfway through 2nd year. I've been disillusioned with the course for some time, because I've come to realize that while I still love designing and building things, I absolutely do not want to have to consider forces, dynamics and other physics-related stuff (which I admit isn't exactly a terribly mature attitude). I've also been getting rubbish grades throughout, so changing courses is definitely on my mind.

An uncle has suggested Industrial Design, while I'm thinking of switching to another stream of Engineering, or even starting fresh in a completely different degree, such as Architecture or Commerce.

Any suggestions on what course I should switch into?

 

[TVP45]

Hi guys,

I'm currently doing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, and am halfway through 2nd year. I've been disillusioned with the course for some time, because I've come to realize that while I still love designing and building things, I absolutely do not want to have to consider forces, dynamics and other physics-related stuff (which I admit isn't exactly a terribly mature attitude). I've also been getting rubbish grades throughout, so changing courses is definitely on my mind.

An uncle has suggested Industrial Design, while I'm thinking of switching to another stream of Engineering, or even starting fresh in a completely different degree, such as Architecture or Commerce.

Any suggestions on what course I should switch into?

I've worked a fair bit with Industrial Designers and the successful ones have a very good understanding of physics. I would not suggest ID if you don't like that sort of thing. Perhap some other type of design?