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Too old at 30?

Andy Millar
Another reason for the 'skills shortage'?
  • 0
    I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to say it is never too late to innovate. 94-year-old John B. Goodenough is working with a team of researchers to develop a new, solid-state battery capable of storing three times what today's lithium-ion batteries can handle. In an interview a couple of years ago, Goodenough said: "I want to solve this problem before my chips are in. I'm only 92 - I still have time to go."


    Read more at: https://communities.theiet.org/communities/discussions/viewtopic/321/386/21727
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Hi All,


    I'm an engineer in my early/mid thirties and can safely say that I innovate now far more than I could in my early career. This does come from, as stated in the earlier posts, from a culture at the workplace that fosters the creation and exploration of new ideas. That alongside my 10+ years of experience means you know when your idea is a good one.


    Just my two cents!
  • 0
    Hi Amber,


    Fantastic post, thank you!


    Plus fascinating to look back on this thread. I was 45 when I kicked it off 11 years ago; since then I got my name on my first patent, my R&D team won a major innovation award, I got a research Master's whilst working full time managing a huge restructuring, and last year changed to an almost 100% different engineering role. And no doubt lots of other stuff that just seemd to be "well it's what you do".


    And on the point that started it off: "should you go into management at 30 since you won't be able to do engineering any more", my current job has moved me out of management and back into engineering - it's wonderful!


    My feeling now is that you are only too old if you've got to a state where you think you know what you're doing and don't need to learn anything new. And I've met some 20 year old's like that smiley


    Cheers,


    Andy

  • 0

    Andy Millar:

    Hi Amber,


    Fantastic post, thank you!


    Plus fascinating to look back on this thread. I was 45 when I kicked it off 11 years ago; since then I got my name on my first patent, my R&D team won a major innovation award, I got a research Master's whilst working full time managing a huge restructuring, and last year changed to an almost 100% different engineering role. And no doubt lots of other stuff that just seemd to be "well it's what you do".


    And on the point that started it off: "should you go into management at 30 since you won't be able to do engineering any more", my current job has moved me out of management and back into engineering - it's wonderful!


    My feeling now is that you are only too old if you've got to a state where you think you know what you're doing and don't need to learn anything new. And I've met some 20 year old's like that smiley


    Cheers,


    Andy

     




    You are very welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed the link. smiley


    It sounds like you have had an incredible 11 years since the original post and I hope that the next 11 are just as exciting and innovative!


    All the best,


    Amber

  • 0
    Adrian,

    I am only slightly older, at 58, but I moved through engineering into management at about 50, though managed to keep hold of some of the interesting engineering activities. I then took redundancy last year and moved into an engineering consultancy where I have got rid of the management stuff and am doing engineering again. They took one look at my CV and thanks to my experience I was almost offered the job on the spot. I am surrounded by a lot of younger engineers (and a few who are older) but we all respect each other because of our abilities and age is ignored - a great environment to work in.

    Alasdair
  • 0
    I certainly do know engineers in their 50s and 60s. However, one thing I notice is that they often feel "passed over" - not neccesarily in terms of salary etc, more in terms of decision making. I don't think it's that they are involved in less decisions than when they were in, say, their 30s, I think it's frustration that they see their peers who moved into management being involved in more decisions than them.


    So yes, it is possible, but be careful what you wish for.

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