Can I start a career as a mechanical/product engineer/designer at age 41?
Asked by imbob
I am 41 years old and want to finally get a job I enjoy, so I would like to hear from preferably qualified people and get some advice about this kind of work. I don't know much about the field other than it is one of the few things I feel strongly that I have a talent and desire to do. I'm a bit of a failure in the computing field because my heart just isn't in it. I started it for money now feel like it has trapped me there because I'd have to start at the bottom level again with a new career. I am prepared to do this now. I dont want to die wondering. All my life I constantly find my self looking at objects of all types and admiring or analysing the way they have been made, how they achieve the job they were intended to perform for the given price bracket they were intended. If I see an item that doesn't do the job very well I find myself daydreaming about how I could improve it or make a better one from scratch. I see day to day problems that could so easily be made easier by an invention of some sort. I find myself building this machine in my mind, honing it, perfecting it. I find it difficult to turn these thoughts off sometime but actually I dont want to. I love it. So.. After all that preamble, my question is.. At the age of 41, not overly good at maths but able to turn my hand to it if I had to, What is the best job/way to satisfy this urge and the quickest route to working in this kind of field that I could take. I dont know much about what person performs the functions I mentioned, is it the Engineer? or designer? or Steve Jobs / Dean Kamen type that might dictate his idea and pass it to other people to actually implement their inspired ideas into reality?? I am not so interested in the actual implementing side, I like the idea's/researching their validity/efficiency/practicality/ease of use / fit for purpose etc etc. I also see them in great detail but would prefer to be the one who passes this concept to others to map out in technical form. What job is this? does it exist? do I need loads of qualifications/degrees etc?/ what is some short courses/quals that might help me get a foot on the ladder or get attention.. Ideally I would like to work on projects and not just a 9-5 type job. I dont mind doing long hours but flexibility is important to me more than reliable hours. I dont want to go and do another 4 year degree but am quite happy to study part time on a permananent basis. Thank you so much for your help. P.S. If you are familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality types, I am an INTP. From what I have read this makes me a suitable type of personality to do this kind of work. INTP's are good at producing/working with ideas in their heads, but dont get the satisfaction from actually implementing the ideas if they can be proven to work in our heads.. I have spent 4 years of my life studying computers and I don't wish to continue working with computers (in purely IT roles at least) but do realise some of those skills are usefull in other fields such as this kind of field. I want to be primarily designing stuff though, not supporting the computers of those who do. 11 hours ago - 4 days left to answer. Additional Details BTW.. I live in New Zealand

Best Answer:
Why don't you do some CAD courses with your computer knowledge as a lot of Design Engineering is done this way, Ergonomics or Human Factors is also a good place to start designing and seeing a project through to fruition. Most mathematical formulas are done by computer now so Maths isn't as important as it was but there are a lack of good Draughtsmen, hand sketchers in the Engineering World. I can't see why not. I'm still learning new things at 44 and have moved from Electrical Engineering to Quality processes recently. ps. I'm also a INTP

Hmmm... sounds a bit like me!!! Anyway, I got my second degree in Mechanical Design Engineering when I was 35 and planned on getting myself a new career something like the one you mentioned. Anyway, it took me 18 months to get a job, unlike the other youngsters in my class who got a job much quicker. Now I'm stuck in a job that has very little to do with engineering. Its gonna be really hard getting a job in this field at your age and especially in a recession. I'd suggest some kind of part time course, then apply to some product design companies. Alternatively, you could set yourself up in business and do it for yourself - gonna take some b@lls!!!! Some people make a living by making specialised products for people prepared to pay. Take this guy for example: http://www.field-coil.com/#field_coil You have to have the right product though!
Answered by B. O. B.