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To Uni or not To Uni. Eager for more insight and thoughts in the pros and cons of going to Universtiy for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Degree at 30+.

Jack Goodwin

I am an Apprentice trained Engineering Technician and have been working in manufacturing for 10 years. Starting in an Apprenticeship role building CNC machine tools and then leaving to work in commissioning role for a smaller business working in integrated bespoke machinary. After some nasty health issues I had to stop the travel that came with commissioning systems and started my path into Controls Engineering; doing my HNC and now working on designing, building and testing control panels and PLC applications/development that sort of thing. 

Now, that will keep me busy for the rest of my career should I choose too stick at it!

I have developed however, very ichy feet towards academic study and further learning. The debate I am having is whether to commit a good section of my life to going to complete an Electrical Engineering Degree or higher education in Automation and Controls. 

Aims? To both grasp and get exposure to new topics, other Engineers and best practices in design and applications, to increase my long term employment prospects and probably because I want to complete what I'd set my mind too a long while ago which was to have a degree in the tool belt. 

There are other things that the degree may assist with such as working abroad and eventually teaching, both are goals which I'd love to achieve.

My question is to those who have gone down a similar path or who have insight on the topic... is it worth the time and expenditure, (it is so expensive). Is there a widening disconnect between industry and academia when it comes to Engineering? I have to say I am not often around graduate engineers in my area.

It is such a hot topic, I know. Also, to add I am currently 29 and will be 30 at least before starting on this path. Too old? (That is not my thought, but I might be wrong). 

All thoughts welcome and have a lovely evening wherever you are!! 

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  • As a comparison for you, I did a part time BEng degree at Southampton, it took six years! Whilst working full time, but eventually got one day off work per week term time for attending uni. An HNC might chop off the first two years if you were continue on to degree level, depending upon the entry requirements of the university. If so then why not just crack on! For me it was a fun but hard six years and it did take its toll on life outside of work. That's worth thinking about. For you, would a degree be the best way of getting you that best practice in design and application that have said you want? Or more theory and understanding, plus the academic credentials? On my course, my fellow part-timers were of all ages so for you studying in your thirties may I suggest can only be a good investment for your several decades of career ahead of you.

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  • As a comparison for you, I did a part time BEng degree at Southampton, it took six years! Whilst working full time, but eventually got one day off work per week term time for attending uni. An HNC might chop off the first two years if you were continue on to degree level, depending upon the entry requirements of the university. If so then why not just crack on! For me it was a fun but hard six years and it did take its toll on life outside of work. That's worth thinking about. For you, would a degree be the best way of getting you that best practice in design and application that have said you want? Or more theory and understanding, plus the academic credentials? On my course, my fellow part-timers were of all ages so for you studying in your thirties may I suggest can only be a good investment for your several decades of career ahead of you.

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