Too late for a linguist to study ChemEng at 30?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential for a linguist to transition into a career in chemical engineering at the age of 30. Participants explore the demand for linguist-engineers, the necessary preparatory steps, and the implications of such a career change, including the integration of language skills with engineering knowledge.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in pursuing a degree in chemical engineering after a career in translation, highlighting a strong academic background in relevant subjects.
  • Another participant suggests using the ALEKS pre-calc and chemistry courses to refresh math and chemistry knowledge, indicating that it is not too late to make this career change.
  • There is a suggestion that language skills may be particularly valuable in the petroleum sector, prompting consideration of geographic and linguistic alignment with job opportunities.
  • A participant reflects on the uncertainty of choosing a specific area within chemical engineering, noting the challenge of deciding between a role as a translator with engineering qualifications or as an engineer with language proficiency.
  • Another viewpoint proposes that familiarity with engineering technologies could enhance the ability to write or translate technical documents effectively, emphasizing the value of understanding both languages and scientific concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best approach to transitioning into chemical engineering and the value of language skills in this field. There is no clear consensus on the most suitable career path or the necessity of prior specialization.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of firsthand experience in determining a specific area of interest within chemical engineering, indicating that personal exploration may be necessary to clarify career goals.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals considering a career change into engineering from a non-technical background, particularly those with language skills looking to integrate them with technical knowledge.

Hejiemi
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Greetings respected engineers,
I would really appreciate your advice and experience. I am now approaching 30, and although I have been working as a freelance translator for several years, I'm considering taking a degree in chemical engineering. I have actually been living in Russia for over 5 years. I've always been interested in the sciences, but more on a theoretical level when I decided to take languages (German & Russian) at university instead of an engineering degree. My A levels (UK) were in Physics, Maths, Chemistry and German. I had As in all of them and averaged above 93% for all of the subjects. That was 10 years ago! How much demand is there for linguist-engineers? What books would you recommend to 'brush up' on my maths and for foundational reading on chemical engineering? Is this careers move a wise decision? (I still want to use my languages).
 
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I would recommend the ALEKS pre-calc course to brush up on your high school math and the ALEKS chemistry course to prepare you for college chemistry. It is not too late if you want to do it and if you have a way to pay the bills in the process.

language skills are more likely to be in demand on the petroleum side. Look at a map of the oil producing countries and consider if those are languages you know and places you would like to work.
 
Dr. Courtney said:
I would recommend the ALEKS pre-calc course to brush up on your high school math and the ALEKS chemistry course to prepare you for college chemistry.

That looks like a good resource, so thanks for that.
 
If I'm honest, knowing what I want to do is a tough question. It has been suggested that one knows beforehand what area of the chemical industry one wants to work in. Without firsthand experience, I guess I really don't know.

Part of me was looking to specialise in a chemical-related field for the purpose of translation. That's what probably led me to chemical engineering in the first place. Now I'm unsure whether I want to be a translator with a ChemEng qualification or whether I should be an engineer who is fluent and proficient in several languages.
I've always wondered, for instance, how professionals specialise in areas like patent translation.
 
Your idea is good. Maybe you can become familiar with technologies and science involved with engineering, and be in a good position to write or translate instruction manuals; not just because you know some languages, but because additionally, you know how to express and and use the languages with an understanding of the sciences and technologies.
 

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