This discussion is locked.

You cannot post a reply to this discussion. If you have a question start a new discussion

Calvin Asks: Any tips for a mature student?

For a few years now I have been thinking about doing a degree in Biomedical Engineering. I already work in the field, but my lack of degree is making it harder to move onwards and upwards in my career. My employer is a small company and can’t (i.e. won't) help with financing so I would have to fund this myself, making it a huge investment.

Do you have any tips for a mature (ish) student about to take this big step?

No Degree - Dublin

Need advice but too shy to ask? Have a question of a ‘sensitive’ nature and would prefer to remain anonymous? Need to get something off your chest but worried about the boss (or your colleagues) finding out? Then ‘Ask Calvin’ !

Submit your questions confidentially to AskCalvin@theiet.org and Calvin will ask the community on your behalf to give you the anonymity you want to find the advice you need.

Parents

0 Roy Bowdler over 5 years ago

I would advocate some form of analysis and investment appraisal.

I assume that because you already work in the field, you have an existing portfolio of knowledge and skills. I don’t know anything about your employer, but I assume that your opportunities for progression are limited , so to them the proposition may seem something like; pay out more for potentially reduced productivity during a period of study, only to see you move on at the end. If they can identify a return on investment, then they might consider helping in some way. In my experience, most employers want to support good productive employees to progress their careers, for business reasons including a sense of moral and ethical principles, good reputation etc. However if you are a key player in your current role, for them investment might be better directed in keeping you in it, rather than helping you out of it.

As your question is phrased, it suggests that you have sought other positions or at least looked at advertisements , leading you to believe that without the right degree you are either ineligible or out-competed by others with such degrees. This might be true, but you need to understand what your problem is (if any) before you take an expensive medicine to cure it. For example, advertisements for “graduate engineers” are often targeted a specific age group and you will still find difficulty, if you don’t fit what they are looking for, degree or not. You might for example, identify an organisation looking for someone like you to progress. I note that you are not in the UK, but I assume that it could be an option. This example that I saw today isn’t Biomedical but shows an option https://www.centreforworkbasedlearning.co.uk/news-events/2018/march/a-second-chance-for-william/ .

If the first phase of your “due-diligence” convinces you that gaining a degree will be potentially beneficial to your career and/or yourself as a person in the short term, then you need to shortlist some choices. Many universities offer part-time masters programmes and allow admission credit for career experience. Some would allow you to focus towards biomedical engineering, even if they don’t carry that title. Undergraduate degrees are primarily designed to prepare young people for a career, and although such learning may be of benefit to you , much of it might not be. Some employers have well-established relationships with university departments. I note that Trinity College has a Centre for Bioengineering and a conversation with a suitable member of that department seems an obvious choice. Peter Bannister https://www.theiet.org/volunteers/get-involved/meet/pbannister.cfm would be a good IET point of contact.

I like Andy’s optimistic frame of reference, I share with him the experience of a couple of mid-career degrees, but in my case both during my 30s. They were masters level, but I don’t have an undergraduate degree and left school at 16 to pursue an apprenticeship. I didn’t “shine” in either, relative to those who were better optimised by their early education. I can’t be sure of the benefits, although my first one might have contributed to me securing a role that proved very good for my career. I should also have mentioned, that I was for many years a Company Training Manager involved intimately with such issues, supporting both our employees and some universities.

I don’t know about Ireland, but the Tuition fee hikes in the UK, have in my opinion shifted the balance too far and are in danger of killing-off mid-career degrees. For that reason I have to give the advice, caveat emptor! I would myself (either personally or as an employer) be a very cautious investor. The internet places a great deal of knowledge at your disposal. How much support you need, what additional knowledge you can access that isn’t commonly available and the ultimate value of the degree, are all factors to weigh.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Reply

0 Roy Bowdler over 5 years ago

I would advocate some form of analysis and investment appraisal.

I assume that because you already work in the field, you have an existing portfolio of knowledge and skills. I don’t know anything about your employer, but I assume that your opportunities for progression are limited , so to them the proposition may seem something like; pay out more for potentially reduced productivity during a period of study, only to see you move on at the end. If they can identify a return on investment, then they might consider helping in some way. In my experience, most employers want to support good productive employees to progress their careers, for business reasons including a sense of moral and ethical principles, good reputation etc. However if you are a key player in your current role, for them investment might be better directed in keeping you in it, rather than helping you out of it.

As your question is phrased, it suggests that you have sought other positions or at least looked at advertisements , leading you to believe that without the right degree you are either ineligible or out-competed by others with such degrees. This might be true, but you need to understand what your problem is (if any) before you take an expensive medicine to cure it. For example, advertisements for “graduate engineers” are often targeted a specific age group and you will still find difficulty, if you don’t fit what they are looking for, degree or not. You might for example, identify an organisation looking for someone like you to progress. I note that you are not in the UK, but I assume that it could be an option. This example that I saw today isn’t Biomedical but shows an option https://www.centreforworkbasedlearning.co.uk/news-events/2018/march/a-second-chance-for-william/ .

If the first phase of your “due-diligence” convinces you that gaining a degree will be potentially beneficial to your career and/or yourself as a person in the short term, then you need to shortlist some choices. Many universities offer part-time masters programmes and allow admission credit for career experience. Some would allow you to focus towards biomedical engineering, even if they don’t carry that title. Undergraduate degrees are primarily designed to prepare young people for a career, and although such learning may be of benefit to you , much of it might not be. Some employers have well-established relationships with university departments. I note that Trinity College has a Centre for Bioengineering and a conversation with a suitable member of that department seems an obvious choice. Peter Bannister https://www.theiet.org/volunteers/get-involved/meet/pbannister.cfm would be a good IET point of contact.

I like Andy’s optimistic frame of reference, I share with him the experience of a couple of mid-career degrees, but in my case both during my 30s. They were masters level, but I don’t have an undergraduate degree and left school at 16 to pursue an apprenticeship. I didn’t “shine” in either, relative to those who were better optimised by their early education. I can’t be sure of the benefits, although my first one might have contributed to me securing a role that proved very good for my career. I should also have mentioned, that I was for many years a Company Training Manager involved intimately with such issues, supporting both our employees and some universities.

I don’t know about Ireland, but the Tuition fee hikes in the UK, have in my opinion shifted the balance too far and are in danger of killing-off mid-career degrees. For that reason I have to give the advice, caveat emptor! I would myself (either personally or as an employer) be a very cautious investor. The internet places a great deal of knowledge at your disposal. How much support you need, what additional knowledge you can access that isn’t commonly available and the ultimate value of the degree, are all factors to weigh.
Cancel
Vote Up 0 Vote Down

Cancel

Children

No Data

Calvin Asks: Any tips for a mature student?

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Community Rules & Guidelines