larrya wrote: » Hi, Looking for some advice.Im 37 year old electrician thinking of going to college to study electrical engineering.I could get into year 2 so would have 2 years for a qualification.Am I too old for this.Just wondering has any one else done this. Have a family with 2 kids and mortgage so money would be tight but manageable.
2011 wrote: » @larrya, have a read of this thread from page 2 on:https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057933181&page=2
larrya wrote: » Thanks
maxamillius wrote: » Mortgage, wife, 3 kids all under 15, went back 4 years ago to do elec services engineering part time in DIT, currently in my final year and will finish in May with ordinary degree. Plenty of lads in my class over the age of 40, Most lads got jobs in engineering firms after completing 2 years in college albeit you would start on a graduate salary. Let me know if you need any more info, happy to pass it on.
aido79 wrote: » Good on you. I'm going back full-time in September. Have a wife and 2 young kids but mortgage free. Debating at the moment whether to do a level 7 or level 8 course. I can complete the level 7 in one year but the level 8 will take 2/3 years depending on the route I take. Any advice?
maxamillius wrote: » Even if you never use the degree I felt it was good for my own mindset and personal wellbeing, always good to be learning and doing something. I started with the higher cert, jumped straight into year 2 and did 2 years part time. At the end you are awarded a higher certificate in elec services design. You can then follow on into year 3 of the ordinary level degree and do 2 years of which I am now in my final year. Part time is tough, 3 evenings per week in college, coupled with assignments and 2 large projects. In my opinion the ordinary level degree should actually be a level 8, I feel it is under awarded. The level 8 degree available after elec services engineering is mainly based around renewable energy. I would just go for it, I don’t think you will regret it. Fees are between 2100/2500 per year.
aido79 wrote: » Thanks. I would agree with that. I am the kind of person who enjoys learning so I do think it would be good for my mindset and personal wellbeing as you say. Are you saying to do the level 8 rather than the level 7? I've done part-time study before without kids...with kids I wouldn't even consider it.
machiavellianme wrote: » What gives you that impression? There needs to be some distinction between it and the honours degree. Masters and PhD need to be recognised as higher again. I've spent time lecturing and am currently working in the industry. The former electricians tend to have an advantage in the practical side of the degree courses but I've found they struggle with some of the more theoretical aspects. In particular, the mathematical modelling involved with electromagnetics. Think carefully about the course you are going for and what you hope to get out of it. If you haven't done a lot of complex maths or haven't used it since leaving cert, try and avoid courses with theoretical requirements. Similarly, post qualifications I've found our ex electrician hires to be solid at getting work done but difficult to give feedback to and they tend to struggle for a while with the corporate aspects of their roles. I suspect it'd be related to their autonomous background if self employed. Of the 10 or so we've taken on over the last 5 years, only one is left and he's just handed in his notice. Like any job, some work out. Some don't.
antiskeptic wrote: » I was a bit younger getting out (of mechanical engineering, 29) and wouldn't have had the same practical experience as you but would recommend for the following reasons and caveats. 1. Doing a degree will transform you. Its not just the kind of job/wages you could be doing post-education but your whole thinking about everything changes. Once you get to see the depth of what's involved in the electrical field you'll automatically have an appreciation for the depth involved in any field be it medicine, law, politics. You'll view all of life in a different way. And be better equipped to deal with life on a "higher" plain. 2. Whilst you might well come to earn more than you do now the kind of work you do will probably be more varied, challenging and enjoyable. If variety, challenge and enjoyment matter, that it. That said, folk on the tools tend to get paid per hour whereas professionals get a salary and can very often be expected to work extra hours and take on extra responsibility. It's not infrequent that the guys on the tools are getting near what you are - yet you run the show. Nevertheless, I wouldn't have swapped. 3. Be clear about your employment prospects. Less so your age - you might find some doors shut but if your made of the right stuff then you'll find an opening to get you started. There needs to be clear employment prospects (probably don't look at the big multinationals who'll tend to plug along the standard age route) out there for folk like you and prospects that you wouldn't mind working at 4. Work your bollox of whilst you're doing the course. You can assume you'll be a bit slower to get going that your peers but if you really plug at it you'll catch up. So be careful, if you can, about where you do your course. I went from perennial D grade maths in Bolton St. (not great for a mech eng) to straight A a the end of a single year in a vibrant uni in London. Best of luck with it
maxamillius wrote: » The only level 8 offered in DIT is in renewable energy which I do not have much desire to progress to.
2011 wrote: » That is not correct. DIT offer other electrical engineering level 8 degrees, DT021A being one of the best examples:http://www.dit.ie/studyatdit/undergraduate/programmescourses/allcourses/electricalelectroniccomputercommunicationsengineeringdt021a.html .
