Electronics Degree as a mature student.

[wonna]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone had an opinion on this?

I've been out of the electronics industry for some time and wanted to venture back, I do have a HNC in electrical/electronic engineering but wasted the chance to really use the knowledge.  I now have the opportunity to take an electronics degree to refresh and improve my knowledge. I'm in my late 40's and would be in my early 50's upon completion.

Would this be useful or have I left it too late to gain employment in the industry afterwards? ~ any useful comments appreciated.

Thank you.

Martin.

[Galenbo]

...Would this be useful or have I left it too late...

We can only talk about average usefulness, and even, everybody can give it's own definition to that word.

Do it. In every university, students of 30,40,50 and 60 years pop up.
Every single one for it's own different reasons.

You won't fit in the mainstream newbee hiring row. But your different profile also gives you different options.

[wonna]

Hi,

Thank you for sharing your time and replying!

I think you may be right, I'm going to give it a real go.

I have other great skills too that younger graduates may not have, so I may have the edge in some respects.

[Tallie]

It's not too late. If you want it badly enough, it's yours.

[wonna]

Thank you all for the encouragement. It's something I've always wanted to do, so I'm sure it can work... a little worried about the maths though.

[Andy Watson]

Do it

Do it

Do it. If the opportunity is there, do it. I found the maths tricky but not too difficult. The main difficulty I found was one of integrating the maths with the application - you had to speak fluent maths to be able to apply the electronics knowledge - (with the wisdom of hindsight)  trying to learn and understand both at the same time was a serious challenge. 

Also, do it because you want to do it - not because you think it will improve your career (although it might). Where and what you'll be doing in 3/4 year's time is a very open-ended question - doing a degree will probably make it more open!

It is widely said that people regret what they didn't do much more than what they did do.

Exactly. I've no idea where it will take you, but I will guarantee that you will regret not trying it.

[nanofrog]

Another vote you should go for it. 

[Galenbo]

...It's something I've always wanted to do, so I'm sure it can work...

It's you who will decide if it will work. You will decide about that every day.
If you work 40 hours now, stop that, and put 40 hours a week in studying, you will get a AA++superplus grade.

...a little worried about the maths though.

If you understand (Or once-undestood, or potentially-understand,...) this for example :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratic_equation

Means your brain is developed enough, healthy and ready for the rest of the math.
Don't look at what the math looks that you will need in 1 year, it looks nasty, ugly and spaghetti.

It comes in layers, every layer is explained, excercised, between other people who give time and courage to understand it.

The most difficult is to DECIDE to START. If you're afraid: Do it for 5 months, decide after the 5 months if you continue or not.
Do it. Don't be afraid of 5 months.

[VK3DRB]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone had an opinion on this?

I've been out of the electronics industry for some time and wanted to venture back, I do have a HNC in electrical/electronic engineering but wasted the chance to really use the knowledge.  I now have the opportunity to take an electronics degree to refresh and improve my knowledge. I'm in my late 40's and would be in my early 50's upon completion.

Would this be useful or have I left it too late to gain employment in the industry afterwards? ~ any useful comments appreciated.

Thank you.

Martin.

Do it.

In my opinion, if a bloke as an adult had the guts to get an EE degree and has passion, he is way ahead of conscripts who do it for cultural reasons at any age. You should be able to get quite a few exemptions on some subjects too.

I don't know what it is like in the UK, but in Australia age discrimination (called ageism) is rampant even though it is illegal. Ageism flourishes thanks to weak government policies and a dodgy culture with respecting older persons. However, good electronics engineers with hands-on skills and without social defects, can usually find work at any age.

Two choices:

Don't bother...


Or go for it...

[mswhin63]

I have been in the electronics industry for 30 years with various experiences. The working life is as a qualified Radio Communications Technician.

Now at 51 I am back at Uni studying and further my prospects in jobs now. I really like it but at 50 the task is challenging especially with some of the younger generation fresh out of high school, but after the first couple of years things start to settle.

I am taking a 1 year break for health reasons but hopefully next year back again to finish my third year.

IMO, if you are motivated go for it, but also make sure if the missus will accept it. Not being nasty I gave my wife no know choice in the matter as she wants me to close my business and work as an employee not as an owner. I still have second thoughts and will keep the business but not trade for a while.

[tggzzz]

I'll add a couple of cautionary points, but these should not be interpreted as my thinking it is a bad idea.

HR-droids can have a tendency to look down their nose at "mature" candidates. Why I really don't know, but my guess is a combination of "I don't know how to assess" and "unusual = risk for which I might be blamed". It is best to avoid such droids by contacting the engineers directly - a good recruitment agent can help there.

Personally I'd give a "mature student" more credit, but only if all other things were equal. Not everybody thinks that way.

I used to work in an R&D labs, and we formed the opinion that there were many incorrect reasons for doing a PhD (e.g. more money, better job) and only one valid reason: because you want to. We hired many PhDs and non-PhDs.

[Docholiday]

Go for it! I am 57 years old and going for my ee too. Start networking with people in the field and get your name out there.  You will be surprised at the positive responses you will get. Join clubs in the field you are interested in. Also, join clubs at your school. Participate in school electronic events. Yes, its kind of weird at first hanging out with kids but they will accept you.

My grandmother went back to school at 60 and got her phd in bio chemical engineering and worked for a huge chemical company for 10 years. She retired at 80 with a title of Sr. Managing Bio Engineer with 10 patents under her name.


Practice makes permanent....

Review what you know and study what you don't

[wonna]

Go for it! I am 57 years old and going for my ee too. Start networking with people in the field and get your name out there.  You will be surprised at the positive responses you will get. Join clubs in the field you are interested in. Also, join clubs at your school. Participate in school electronic events. Yes, its kind of weird at first hanging out with kids but they will accept you.

My grandmother went back to school at 60 and got her phd in bio chemical engineering and worked for a huge chemical company for 10 years. She retired at 80 with a title of Sr. Managing Bio Engineer with 10 patents under her name.

This is brilliant advice Docholiday, I think it has made my mind up to go for it! I have full backing from my wife and a place offered at a central London university. I can't think of a reason not to do this. Thank you

I would also like to thank everyone for their opinions, I was 50/50 when I posted this but that has been pushed to 100% with help from the kind contributions in this post ~ Martin

[LabSpokane]

Martin,

Get after it!  I was a late bloomer for my EE degree as well. It was the best decision I ever made. It will be yours too.