Going Back to College

[ub_009]

Is 25 too old to start over and getting another Bachelor degree?

I am in my first year as a Graduate student in a Pharmacology program aiming for a PhD. I did not act pragmatic and I choose this path thinking more about the "potential rewards" rather than the things people with this kind of life have to do day to day.

I am strongly leaning towards withdrawing for several reasons:

(1) I don't feel my skills align with working in a Lab:
I'm clumsy while doing experiments, I easily get distracted, and I don't pay enough attention to details.
(2) I don't feel like learning the material comes natural to me.
(3) I am not enjoying it.
(4) MOST IMPORTANTLY: I don't have the passion to be Scientist.

But if I quit then what?
I have a B.S in Biology and I don't like the job opportunities that come with it:
I don't want to be a Technician for the reasons I just mentioned, and Teaching K-12 Biology sounds very boring to me

I'm considering re-enrolling as an undergraduate to get an Electrical Engineering degree because it will give me background and knowledge to design, I always had the curiosity for how electrically powered objects work, I am GOOD working with numbers and I want to have the qualifications for a job that pays reasonably well.

But am I too old?? ( I will be 25 next year and it would take me another 4 years just to get a B.S in Engineering).
And would it be worth it? What is the current career outlook for Electrical Engineers? Is the job market very competitive? Are companies going overseas to hire Electrical Engineers for lower wages?
I'm in a crisis.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[ahos77]

Firstly, electrical engineers are among the highest paid in the U.S. and is one of the highest-paying college degrees you can get. Job growth is excepted to be about the same as the average across all jobs in the U.S. While some jobs are going abroad, the overall job outlook is expected to still be pretty good.

Because you have a BS already, potentially look into going into a master's program. You don't always have to get a master's in the same thing that you did your bachelor's, but you'll have to check into program requirements to find out for sure. Potentially you could do bioengineering since you already have the biology portion? Not sure though, just an idea. You should at least be able to find an intensive program that will allow you do get the degree in under 4 years.

Are you too old? Well, on the one hand, you don't want to be 30 when you're entering the work force. On the other, you don't want to hate your job. Potentially look into other jobs you can do with your BS in Bio. It may seem like there aren't too many options besides teaching, but there are. You could work in a field like conservation or agriculture, or you could do a job that has little to do with your major (as tons of liberal arts students find themselves doing). Engineering jobs will likely involve a lot of time in a lab and require a lot of attention to detail, as well; at least, that's the case with the engineers I know.

[ahos77]

Additional Information:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the "Occupational Outlook Handbook," which you may find of use to you. It includes information on tons of professions and includes things like job description, education requirements, salary info, expected job growth and more.

Here are a few examples you might find helpful:

Biological Scientist (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm)
Conservation Scientist (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos048.htm)
Environmental Scientist (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos311.htm)
Engineers (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos027.htm)

If you're organized and good with people, you might also consider: Engineering and Natural Sciences Manager (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos009.htm)