I have often thought about going back to school to pursue a second bachelor degree in a completely different field. I graduated in 2004 with an Economics degree, and currently have a good job, but I often find myself regretting my choices in college and wanting to enter a different field. When I look for different opportunities, many require engineering degrees on top of the experience I have within my industry. My wife has asked me a couple of times why I just don't go back to school to get an engineering degree, and I have never given it much thought. But tonight, my wife and I sat down and seriously discussed the possibility of me returning to A&M to pursue an engineering degree. If I do it, PETE or MEEN would be the direction I would choose. Looking at the current catalog, it looks like this would take about 3 years to complete, counting full-time summers and internship as I would basically be taking everything outside of core courses and electives. The thought of pursing a MBA has crossed my mind, but I do not feel it would get me into the field/direction I want to work in. Not to mention it would cost at least 3 times as much.

I'll have to be honest, if I had chosen engineering originally, I most likely would not have made it due to immaturity and other "extracurriculars" most college guys are after. Now, I have a better idea of what I want to do, the maturity of 7 years, and a solid foundation of work experience.

This is obviously not something to be taken lightly. It would require me to quit my job and for us to live off of my wife's salary (teacher) while sacrificing essentially 3 years of savings. We do have a mortgage and 1 car note (that can be paid off right now if need be) and I would have to find a cheap place to live in B/CS during the week (thought about a camper). With the market the way it is, selling the house is not a great option at this time, but could become a possibility if the market rebounds. This would also require us to put children on hold, which is a HUGE sacrifice considering she's about to turn 29 and I'll be 30 later this year.

I'm just wondering if anybody has faced a similar situation and taken the leap. Do you feel it was the best option for you, or do you regret the decision?

As long as you get in the first kid before shes 35, that shouldnt be an issue.

If you really arent in for engineering .. I mean REALLY in .. you shouldnt do it. You might think you want to do the jobs, but getting the degree will not be fun. Also it will require a lot of things you never learned or things you have forgotten. Im not trying to discourage you, but engineering isnt a joke and if you arent really strong in calculus and physics, you wont make it through the CBKs. I respect A&M graduates, A&M is not tech .. but your economics degree did not prepare you for the misery you think you want to get into and having been out of school for longer wont make it any easier to accept the crap that you are going to be put through.

That being said, my first year in engineering there was a hot 30 year old in our classes, she was there for her 2nd degree .. I think she made it. However, we graduate about 20% or so who start their first day in engineering, in fact, most good schools around the world have an engineering washout ratio around there. A lot of the 80% are smart kids, but their heart wasnt into it, some were young and didnt want to invest the time and some didnt have what it takes mentally. All of the people thought they wanted to be engineers when they signed up (or their parents did) and I bet all of them thought that they were smart as well. Before you go changing your entire life, I would really assess how much you really want it and for what reasons. If you believe those reasons will motivate you to study until 2am, not because you put your work off, but because you have to, because you have so much homework every day that sleeping is not an option, then engineering is for you and I wish you the best of luck.

[This message has been edited by Randy03 (edited 8/24/2011 2:57a).]

In all honestly, go and talk to the department. Most 2nd BS degrees are only admitted after freshman admissions and transfers and thus never have enough room for 2nd BS's. I'd ask before getting your hopes up.

[This message has been edited by CSTXAG2015 (edited 8/24/2011 8:03a).]

What about UH? Why go all the way to CS if you don't have to.

aTm2004,
(cross posted)
I would strongly recommend contacting the department to see about the possibility for getting admitted into PETE or MEEN. As it has been pointed out space available plays a major role in the decision process and I can tell you that PETE is a highly impacted college and MEEN is popular as well. Since the colleges will be the people making the decisions they will be able to tell you more about your chances.

As for the application process if you go to http://admissions.tamu.edu/postbacc/default.aspx you can view the application requirements and deadlines.


Jayson Naiser '05
Admissions Counseling Advisor
Prospective Student Center
Office of Admissions
Texas A&M University
jnaiser at oar dot tamu dot edu

TAMU Mailstop 1265| College Station, TX 77843

Tel. 979.458.0950 | Fax. 979.458.0434

http://admissions.tamu.edu

quote:

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If you really arent in for engineering .. I mean REALLY in .. you shouldnt do it. You might think you want to do the jobs, but getting the degree will not be fun. Also it will require a lot of things you never learned or things you have forgotten. Im not trying to discourage you, but engineering isnt a joke and if you arent really strong in calculus and physics, you wont make it through the CBKs. I respect A&M graduates, A&M is not tech .. but your economics degree did not prepare you for the misery you think you want to get into and having been out of school for longer wont make it any easier to accept the crap that you are going to be put through.

That being said, my first year in engineering there was a hot 30 year old in our classes, she was there for her 2nd degree .. I think she made it. However, we graduate about 20% or so who start their first day in engineering, in fact, most good schools around the world have an engineering washout ratio around there. A lot of the 80% are smart kids, but their heart wasnt into it, some were young and didnt want to invest the time and some didnt have what it takes mentally. All of the people thought they wanted to be engineers when they signed up (or their parents did) and I bet all of them thought that they were smart as well. Before you go changing your entire life, I would really assess how much you really want it and for what reasons. If you believe those reasons will motivate you to study until 2am, not because you put your work off, but because you have to, because you have so much homework every day that sleeping is not an option, then engineering is for you and I wish you the best of luck.

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I also posted on the AO thread, but this really sums up everything that I have experienced when I went back to school for an engineering degree.

My mind was NOT in it when I was at A&M and I ended up leaving engineering to AGSM. I really kicked myself and was down on myself after I had graduated for not having the mental willpower and foresight to stick with it and make it through.

I ended up going back to school (mind you it wasn't A&M, but was a UT branch school) to get a 2nd BS degree in MEEN. I worked 2 jobs and went to school full time and did not have the luxury of taking things like Art History or any KINE classes to help take some of the brunt off my schedule. For 2 straight years, including summers, I took nothing but engineering classes. I was doing so well (had a 4.0 for the first 2 years), that the dean of the engineering school took notice and asked that I forego a 2nd BS degree in engineering and instead go straight into the Graduate program.

At that time, I was married, had a mortgage and car and worked full time for a private consulting firm. Grad school in engineering was the most trying and difficult thing I ever have done in my life, but I just graduated a week ago and can say that I went back to school without any type of engineering degree or classes, and walked out with a MS in Mechanical Engineering.

Like Randy03 said - take a HARD look at what you really want in life and if that includes an engineering degree then go get it. I used to think that the cheesy saying at every graduation of "Don't ever stop chasing your dreams" was nothing but a bunch of words. It really hit me hard though when I walked across the stage in my robe and hood and received my diploma.

I have no regrets with what I did. I have a 5 month old son and I achieved something that I never though I could. Life could not be any better!

Don't worry about space or getting in. If you have the grades you will get into engineering.

But, why do you want to do engineering? I didn't hear a reason in your post. At your age and with your responsibilities, you must have a clear and specific reason for going back.

What job do you want when you graduate? If that is not a one sentence answer, I don't think you should do it. Why? All the reasons listed above: it is a hard, lonely, and stressful slog getting through engineering.

Finally, you better be good at Calculus and Physics, if you choose to do this. You don't have much margin for error.

Good luck. If you do well, the opportunities are limitless.

[This message has been edited by hombre (edited 8/25/2011 5:11p).]