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Started By
Message
The Decision To Return For BSME At 30
Posted on 9/29/20 at 11:48 am
Posted on 9/29/20 at 11:48 am
I have been thinking, researching, praying, debating internally for a long time now about returning to school (online) for a BSME. As a 30 year old with a one year old child and supporting wife, I know I can do this, but the question is how much time per week will I sacrifice? I’m looking to take 3 classes a semester. Working 40 hours a week with 3 classes a semester, will I miss out on six-seven years of my son’s life? For those who have been there, am I looking at no life until this is done, or would I be able to have one day on the weekends for the family if I manage my time?
Thanks in advance, this board has been very helpful in many ways. I know there are some Mechanical Engineer graduates here that can share their experience.
Thanks in advance, this board has been very helpful in many ways. I know there are some Mechanical Engineer graduates here that can share their experience.
22
Posted on 9/29/20 at 11:55 am to Booskee
the welding certificate is only 6 months long. Heard el gaucho needs an apprentice.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 11:57 am to LazloHollyfeld
Heck yea where’s my tiger disk
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:15 pm to Booskee
quote:Eeesh
Working 40 hours a week with 3 classes a semester,
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:25 pm to Booskee
Thats going to be tough. The workload will not be easy. Just out of curiosity what is the end game here? You'll get your degree and then what?
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:28 pm to Booskee
Do you already have a degree in something else?
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:29 pm to Booskee
During senior year, I knew guys working 60-80 hours a week just on school.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:34 pm to bayoutiger225
End game is to be an engineer in a plant with about 10 years millwright experience behind me. I do not have a degree in anything else, just some GE credits from before I went into industry.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:48 pm to Booskee
I don’t know if your payoff will be what you think it is at 30. ME program takes 15 hrs/ semester to finish in 4 years, maybe more, and you’re talking about taking a 5th of that workload. You could go into maintenance supervision without a degree and still make more than new engineers
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:50 pm to Power-Dome
This info is exactly what I was looking for in posting here. I’m questioning the payoff. Thank you for this perspective
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:50 pm to LazloHollyfeld
quote:
he welding certificate is only 6 months long.
C
W
I
Posted on 9/29/20 at 12:56 pm to Power-Dome
Don’t misinterpret the number of hours though, 3 classes for 9 hours a semester. I’m just wondering if it would be worth the headache in my 30’s for the payoff (benefits, salary, etc) when my boy is about 10. Give me Your honest opinions.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:08 pm to Booskee
I imagine you might work for a contractor right now, and if not, are you currently union represented? Others have mentioned CWI, but you would still be missing out on some benefits provided by a major chem/oil producer corporation if you were able to get on as staff. I’m currently an engineer in a plant, and the big company gives us great benefits that I know the contractors would have a hard time matching. Your millwright experience will payoff big time if you got into maintenance supervision, or maintenance planning, both of which should be staff positions with all the bells and whistles.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:10 pm to Booskee
It'll take you 6 or 7 years with that class load. Plus, you'll be paying $7k per year, which will cost you close to $40-50k in total.
Your salary point will likely start in the $70-100k range, but that is before taxes. After tax, that's like $40-60k total. And you still have to pay your student loans off. So, take the after tax differential versus your current pay, divide it by the tuition costs, and you'll have how many years until you break even..... which will be in addition to the 6 years of school.
Probably looking at 40-45 years old before you come out ahead.
Not to mention all of the time that'll be spent on studying and homework.
For your kid, 0-10 years old is the best years for a parent. You'll miss out on alot of that too.
Your salary point will likely start in the $70-100k range, but that is before taxes. After tax, that's like $40-60k total. And you still have to pay your student loans off. So, take the after tax differential versus your current pay, divide it by the tuition costs, and you'll have how many years until you break even..... which will be in addition to the 6 years of school.
Probably looking at 40-45 years old before you come out ahead.
Not to mention all of the time that'll be spent on studying and homework.
For your kid, 0-10 years old is the best years for a parent. You'll miss out on alot of that too.
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:14 pm to Booskee
We had three guys that did this when I was at LSU. All three graduated. It will take you an extra year or two. It is doable. Two of them were plant baws. One had young kids. He set aside family time each day. Good luck
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:17 pm to Mahootney
Really helpful replies by Power-Dome and Mahootney. Thanks guys 
ETA: Thanks Catahoula!
ETA: Thanks Catahoula!
This post was edited on 9/29/20 at 1:18 pm
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:24 pm to Booskee
At 30 it’s too late to start over time to give up on your crazy dreams and get a real job
Posted on 9/29/20 at 1:45 pm to Booskee
I'm not a ME but I'm familiar going back to school for engineering in my mid 30s. It's not easy. If you had some gen ed classes, chances are they count jack shite towards a degree. Maybe a couple of your humanities will be taken care of.
You will not even start out knocking out required courses. I had to take two semesters of pre-calculus just to get to calc I. I was so mad that I was forced to do it, but by the time I was taking physics and calc II I was glad they made me. So be prepared for that added to your timeline.
It will take extraordinary willpower and commitment to finish this if you have a kid. Ask yourself if you are willing to go all the way, truly. Because when you're doing problem sets for 8-12 hours for physics/statics etc. it's not as easy as just believing your diploma into existence.
You will not even start out knocking out required courses. I had to take two semesters of pre-calculus just to get to calc I. I was so mad that I was forced to do it, but by the time I was taking physics and calc II I was glad they made me. So be prepared for that added to your timeline.
It will take extraordinary willpower and commitment to finish this if you have a kid. Ask yourself if you are willing to go all the way, truly. Because when you're doing problem sets for 8-12 hours for physics/statics etc. it's not as easy as just believing your diploma into existence.
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