Is Engineering a good career to go into and am i too old?

Question

I am only 23 but a masters is 4 years and i may have to do a foundation year which would mean i wouldnt graduate until i was 29 or 30 because i am at college at the mo and wont be applying until 2008 for entry in 2009. I would still have 30 years or so employment. What do you think, am i too old? Is it a good career? Is it more of a male career and could i face difficulties as a woman, i am particulalry interested in Offhsore Engineering.

Thanks guys and gals.

xx

Answer 1

Your never too old. I'm 42 and just became a research astrophysicist.

Engineering is a fine subject which I wish more people where doing.

If you're in the UK try looking at the university of Hertfordshire who have a good engineering background..

Answer 2

Offshore engineering... as in oil and gas platforms????

I would suggest you inform yourself about peak oil (it happened in 2005/06 and the world did not care to notice) and fossil fuel geology first. It might just be that you are learning yourself into unemployment by taking those classes. Don't take my word for it (even though you could). Do your own research and decide if you really want to learn how to drill for stuff that most likely isn't there any longer.

Offshore wind... might have a bit more of a future. But I seriously doubt even that. There will be tons of offshore oil guys with 30 years experience begging for those few jobs. You will be fresh, green and... most likely unemployed.

Engineering in general is a different matter. Go for it if you feel strongly about it. You have lost only five or six years and if you are the kind of person who likes to work hard, you will have an advantage over the kids who just came from high school.

Answer 3

hey your never too old im 23 myself and just started a coarse in electrical services engineering, i`v only just qualified as a electrician by trade this year and i thought it would be good to have a degree under my belt which will be great if i ever go for an interview with any engineering company. the beauty of it is the company i work for at the moment pay for all the fees and the coarse is an evening coarse at night, 2-3 nights a week. so i can do my normal job during the day then study at night. takes a bit of comitment but i think it will be worth it. hope this is of help to you. ps you get yor degree after 3 years of evening coarses

Answer 4

How historic are you going to be in 4 years in case you do not study engineering? Do you desire to be 29 with a level or with out degree? You would be greatly surprised some day at how youthful 29 particularly is and how an prolonged time you would be wanting previous to you. you will extra often than not be lots extra effectual on your reviews now than you have been mutually as you're youthful. you're extra usual and extra mature and have a greater experience of the cost of time. Of course you will could do it regardless of if that's what you like.

Answer 5

I agree with much of what has already been said. Engineering is a wonderful profession. There are many different types of engineers and even different specialties within a particular type of engineer. I have worked with almost as many female engineers as male engineers so you should not experience any discrimination (if you do and can prove it, you have the law on your side and the potential for winning a significant lawsuit). The first two years of most engineering ciricula are the same regardless of what type of engineering you pursue. You need lots of math, thru calc and differential equations, physics, and chemistry.

Good luck

Answer 6

People have career changes well after they are 30 and even 40....don't worry about the age. Its never too late to learn and it is never too late to change careers. I mean you have people changing from financial journalism to banking even in their 50s. You are only going to be 30. If you want something to show, then just invest on the side and you will make excellent money. That way you won't have much to worry about.

check out www.iforex.com

Answer 7

Don't worry about your age, I got my first engineering qualification at 35. Unfortunately even low level qualified technicians think that they are engineers and so does the rest of the UK, so pay levels are relatively low. As a chartered engineer in the electronics industry, I wish that I had taken civil engineering for a career

Answer 8

Thanks for making me feel ancient.

I will be graduating as a female mechanical engineer in Dec. '08 at 41 years old. I still plan on having 30 years of employment ahead of me because I love the field.

Answer 9

I know many friends and they graduated between 35 to 40 years old. If you really want it you can do it. Never blame the age.

Answer 10

My sons an engineer and loves his job.He gets sent abroad regularly, gets great money and finds his work really interesting.What more could you want?There are lots of female engineers working beside him.Engineers are always in demand.