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Biochemistry major to aerospace engineer: is this possible?

escapist53211 — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:52:59 -0800

Recent biochemistry graduate wants to change direction and pursue engineering, specifically aerospace (but I'd settle for mechanical) engineering. Is this possible? And if so, how the heck do I plan to get from here to there, hopefully without bankrupting myself? I'll take any advice I can get. I'm a 26-yr-old recent graduate who, after years of indecisiveness, finally has a solid idea of what I'd like to be doing for the next 10+ years: aerospace engineering. The wrinkle, however, is that I am two years out from graduation with degrees in biochemistry (BS) and Spanish and >$40k of debt. To further complicate things, I am currently working as an EFL teacher outside the US, so I don't really have the opportunity to research and do informational interviews as I would at home.

I ended up majoring in biochemistry because I liked those classes in high school and I enjoy(ed) a good intellectual and technical challenge. But after graduation, I spent a year working in a research lab (read: master pipetter and cell culture keeper) as a technician only to realize that I'm not really excited about any of my career options as a biochemist. I did do a couple of summer research stints as an undergrad in molecular biology and materials science/nanotechnology. I enjoyed the buzz of novelty and the rush that comes with learning new information and applying it to find answers to interesting questions, but the subject material didn't capture my interest.

What does capture my interest are planes and spaceships. As a kid I loved LEGO, and pretty much the only thing I built (and still build today) were models that fly through space or the air. I started working on my private pilot's license while in high school, but I had to quit because it was too expensive of a hobby to maintain. I get really excited at the prospect of being part of a team that designs the next generation of spacecraft that will explore the solar system or that designs a viable supersonic commercial airliner.

I'm an INTP/J, and finding unique innovative solutions to problems is pretty much the way my brain works. I'm not afraid of math and enjoy mastering computation methods in order to add them to my toolbox. I did pretty well in school (3.8/4.0 GPA), so I'm not too worried that I wouldn't be able to at least pass engineering classes. (overconfident?)

The problem is that I have no idea how to get to studying/working in aerospace/mechanical engineering from where I currently am. Since I already have tons of debt from undergrad, I'm not sure that a second batchelor's is in my best financial interest. Should I be planning to grab a master's in engineering and take some of the missing prereqs on the way? I know that BU has a pretty cool LEAP program (redundant, I know) that is meant to be a bridge to engineering for those that come from non-engineering backgrounds, but it's a pretty spendy program.

Should I find a job working in a research lab at a decent engineering school and take classes part-time? Can I even do that as a biochem major? Should I aim crazy high and apply for a critical skills master's program at Sandia Nat'l Labs to get my foot in the engineering door? Am I crazy to think any of this is even possible, especially without going even deeper into debt? Any wisdom from the hive mind would be greatly appreciated.

Worth it to pay the bills to get the skills?

your mom's a sock puppet — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:08:51 -0800

Engineering master's degree: worth it in my special situation? I have an engineering BS, the MS would be in the same sort of engineering, and it would be free (sort of). I've been working in non-engineering academic research, but I want to get into industry R&D. (Sock puppet because basically no one knows I'm looking to switch jobs.)

I have an undergrad degree in engineering from a good school; graduated five-ish years ago with average grades. After graduating, I continued working at said school in a science field tangentially related to my undergrad education. I've moved up the ranks of non-doctorate academic research, but I've always thought about leaving academia. I'm not sure I have the engineering skills to pay the bills, though. I'd like to get a position that's a bit better than fresh-out-of-undergrad entry-level, hopefully focusing on R&D in a startup-like environment.

(I don't want to do a Ph.D., engineering or otherwise, at this point, but it is a possibility down the road. I know that would be even better for getting into this line of work, but I can't currently take the pay cut going to a Ph.D. student's stipend.)

For family reasons, I now will be at least in the same city for another 3+ years. I could try to find an engineering job here, but they're pretty thin on the ground, especially smaller companies. That makes me think I should leverage the tuition benefits at my school to tack on a master's in the same engineering field to compensate for my lack of industry experience-- experience that I'm not likely to be able to get for some time.

If it were as easy as that, I would totally do it. But "free" unfortunately isn't free. It would get taxed as a benefit to the tune of $3800 a semester. Since it would be job-related enough for the IRS (man I hope it would be), I'd get it back in my return. (I have meetings with HR and the department lined up to hammer this out.) I don't have that kind of money in savings, or room in my budget for it. Since it's short-term, I could probably borrow the money from family, but there might also be loans of some sort in my future. (Also a bridge I'll build when I get to the river.)

Bottom line: master's degree-- is it worth it for working as an engineer in smaller, more cutting-edge, startup-type companies, given that I have limited engineering experience? (I plan on spinning the more engineering-related parts of my current job as sort-of experience.) Does the fact that the degree would be free-ish make a difference?

If the specific field matters, I'll chime in with that info or can give it over MeMail.

In my 3rd year of an engineering degree, hate it, failing and loaded with debt. What should I do?

CreativeUsername — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:34:30 -0800

I'm in my 3rd year of my mechanical engineering program and I hate it. I've dropped 30% in grades since my second year and now I'm tip-toeing failing/passing every class. I've gotten stomach ulcers and anxiety attacks as a result of the stress and I've started to just give up. I want to switch but I'm already sacked with 40k of loans. What should I do? I went into it because my parents thought I should have a practical degree (my fault for listening to them). First two years I noticed a steady drop in my grades as a result of not caring/courses increasing in difficulty. Now I feel like I've hit rock bottom with both physical and emotional signs of stress. I don't have any money (hence the loans) and I want to switch out of any engineering, meaning not only would my credits not transfer over into a science/arts degree but I would have to start all over again (with even more debt). I feel trapped and I'm scared that I'm going to fail out if I don't drop out.

Is returning for a 2nd bachelors a good idea?

gtothep — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:17:02 -0800

Here's the deal. I graduated with a useless history degree and am having trouble finding a job. I'm now 24 and need to make some changes asap so I'm not doomed to living with my parents until I'm 90. Question: is returning for a 2nd bachelors in Engineering ever a good idea, in terms of long-term financial stability? Or is going for a masters in accounting or nursing a better choice? I really want to look at this financially and get my feet under me. Refer to the super extended version below for greater detail. SUPER EXTENDED VERSION IN IT'S ENTIRETY

Alright, I'll try my best to explain this situation without sounding like I'm complaining, because I'm not. I understand I got myself into this, so I simply would like a little advice from the outside on how to get myself out.

Here's the deal. I started undergrad 5 years ago with the intent to go to law school so ended up graduating with a degree in History after my academic advisors convinced me that this would be the best move. After graduation, I took a year off to work abroad/travel, then I applied and was accepted to Vandy law. Here's where the bigger mistakes took place. Vandy wasn't good enough for me, so I rejected them and reapplied the next year. I spent the interim year working odd-jobs, aka waiting to go to law school. That was last year. This last summer, I was all registered to go to a small law school on the east coast (W&L) but before I enrolled I did tons of research online about the legal market and soon found that if you're not in a top 14 law school, you won't find a job (though you will have debt). I finally decided not to go to law school this last summer, and am now stuck in this world with a History degree, no job, and living with the parents at 24. But it is what it is, and now I need to move forward.

I've had a bit of time to think over these past few months, and have realized how big of a mistake my choosing a history degree was. I've also realized how big of a mistake my not finding steady employment over the past 2 years was (rather than just wait to go to law school) as I now have this gaping void on my resume. I am fully aware of all of this, but feel it is not too late to correct my mistakes and get myself back on course.

So, I suppose what I'm asking is what would be the best step to take next. According to my research, my options are...

1. Keep searching for a job (though doubtful I could get a good one b/c of the black hole gap in my resume)
2. Go back to undergrad and get a 2nd degree in Engineering (Civil or Industrial)
3. Take prereqs and go back for a MA in Accounting to become a CPA
4. Take prereqs and go back for a BSN/MSN (nursing) with the hopes of being admitted to Nurse Anesthetist school in the future.
5. Take prereqs and go back for a MA in Software Engineering

(NOTE: The last time I took Math courses was in high-school. I want a math-based degree, though am reticent to commit to a course of study that is math intensive b/c of how far behind I would be in Math.)

I would "like" to do the CivE / IndE degree, though returning for an additional 4 years of undergrad at the age of 24 (would be 25 when I returned) just sounds irresponsible. This would mean that I wouldn't begin my work life until the age of 29(!). Alternatively, I could do an accelerated nursing program and hope to work into an admin position, or a masters in Accounting and go for the CPA. I'm not sure which would be the best choice, my biggest preoccupation right now is to escape the poor-house (aka parents house), and I know this is coloring my judgement in terms of career selection. It's exceedingly difficult to change careers at 24 when you haven't started one yet, so I really don't want to mess this one up.

Has anyone else out there found themselves in a similar situation? If so, how did you get yourself out of it? Is a "fresh start" required?

Thanks in advanced for any advice or comments you can provide!

BFA ID + BA Engn = Yes?

vaguelyweird — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:19:02 -0800

Working on a BFA in Industrial Design and considering getting an Engineering degree as well. Is a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering worthwhile? I transferred from Brown into RISD's Industrial Design with a heavy math and science background. Now it appears that having some engineering coursework under my belt would be immensely useful. Not to let that go to waste, I could acquire a BA in Engineering from Brown with slightly more than a semester of work. Logistics of entering the dual-degree program post-matriculation aside (the FAQ says no, but I imagine I have a fighting chance), how worthwhile is that degree?

Finish my engineering degree? Or switch to I.T.?

jord — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 06:47:42 -0800

I've decided I have more of an interest in computer software than mechanical machines, so I'm contemplating switching to a lesser Bachelor of I.T. from my Bachelor of Engineering degree, even though they would both take the same amount of time to finish. I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Robots) at university.
I've just taken some time off, started up a web design company (far from successful though :) and realized that I really enjoy this kind of work. I want to finish and graduate before my credits expire.

If I switch to an IT degree I will finish in the same amount of time (2 years), but a lot of my engineering credits will be wasted. I think I enjoy IT a lot more, and the remaining courses in Engineering look incredibly boring.

In addition, I would rather work in a technology company than on engineering projects, even though there is more money in the engineering sector.

Should I throw all that money away that I spent on courses so far, or just see it through? Anybody been in a similar situation and have an 'If I could do it all again' story?

What would the USAF do with a guy with an engineering master's?

mnemonic — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:28:12 -0800

If I joined the US Air Force Reserve with a master's degree in aerospace engineering from a good school, what kind of work would they put me in? I'm a practicing aeronautical engineer with a BSE and MSE in aeroE. I'm comfortable, but am considering entering the US Air Force Reserve for personal reasons. I want to know what kind of work they would have me do when activated. I have almost no interest in being a pilot (believe it or not), and I'm aware that their scientists/engineers are civilians. If I just told them to put me where they need me, what's the most likely duty I'd have?

Also, as a longshot addendum: What would be the odds I could become a russian linguist/translator, with the military providing for the language training?

The 40-Year-Old Electrical Engineer

lekvar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:59:52 -0800

How are things looking for Electrical Engineers? I'm considering going back to school to get a degree in Electrical Engineering and I was hoping that The Hivemind could provide some perspective.

Firstly, what is the market like for someone with a BS in Electrical Engineering? What jobs are commonly available in the US? I've done some looking around and the school's website is a little vague about the particulars.

Secondly, and probably more importantly, what kinds of hurdles will I be facing as a 40 year old with a freshly-minted degree?

What to do with a BE/LLB?

PuGZ — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:52:31 -0800

Where can I go with (Electrical) Engineering and Law qualifications under my belt? I'm considering pursuing these two degrees in a double-degree programme and I was wondering what sort of work I could find myself doing in industry, if I don't pursue further study / employment in the academic field. Brainstorm with me, Mefitters!