Thinking about going back to College.. Non-Traditional Student?

[shakane]

I'm 33 and currently working full-time for a manufacturing company. The company is pushing hard for me to go back to school to get a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After a little research I came across the title "Non-Traditional Student". The requirements to get accepted into a University are lowered it seems.

I was curious to any that may have any knowledge of what the advantages and disadvantages are of being designated a "Non-Traditional Student" may be? And how does it differ?

Any input would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

 

[GwinnettNole]

I always just thought non traditional student just described people that were older--- nothing really different. I guess I'm wrong.

Question- what happens if you don't go back to school-- will you lose your job? Not get a promotion, etc?

If all else fails quit the job and become a real estate agent. We need some of them....

 

[seminole817]

I was a non-traditional law student. I think that meant that I didn't go to law school right out of undergrad or was older. Have you knocked out any credits at all or are we talking a 4 year deal? While in law school I met a couple on non traditional undergrads. They used a local community college (cheaper) to get basically all the first 2 year credits they needed and then transferred to the university to get the accounting/business classes and degree.

I'll tell you this, I've heard a lot people suggest that law school was really time consuming. I didn't find that to be the case at all because I didn't work during the semester. It wasn't near as time consuming as finishing my undergrad degree while working full time or close to it. I assume you'd be working while going to school. That made me very efficient. Will they help pay help pay for it? Will you get a nice pay bump/promotion? Good luck with your decision.

 

[billanole]

I'm 33 and currently working full-time for a manufacturing company. The company is pushing hard for me to go back to school to get a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After a little research I came across the title "Non-Traditional Student". The requirements to get accepted into a University are lowered it seems.

I was curious to any that may have any knowledge of what the advantages and disadvantages are of being designated a "Non-Traditional Student" may be? And how does it differ?

Any input would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

Go get it. If your company is gonna help you earn a degree, strap it on. Jump thru the hoops.
I was a non traditional type, but it just meant being an older, commuter guy who was focused on the task at hand. There was no lessening of standards. My advisor suggested that I was doing grad level work even while earning a BS, as my productivity was strong and quality was above the normal kid's work....

No one can take away your degree afterwards, and it may be just what it takes to finish strong with those folks.

 

[Gonolz]

I'm 33 and currently working full-time for a manufacturing company. The company is pushing hard for me to go back to school to get a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After a little research I came across the title "Non-Traditional Student". The requirements to get accepted into a University are lowered it seems.

I was curious to any that may have any knowledge of what the advantages and disadvantages are of being designated a "Non-Traditional Student" may be? And how does it differ?

Any input would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

I'm 33 and currently working full-time for a manufacturing company. The company is pushing hard for me to go back to school to get a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After a little research I came across the title "Non-Traditional Student". The requirements to get accepted into a University are lowered it seems.

I was curious to any that may have any knowledge of what the advantages and disadvantages are of being designated a "Non-Traditional Student" may be? And how does it differ?

Any input would be thoroughly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

I don't know that there is a Non-Traditional Student designation at FSU. I just don't know. After going to FSU undergrad and grad school elsewhere, then working a professional job, I quit my job and went back to FSU for a second completely unrelated bachelor's degree. It was awesome. The acceptance was easy (although I don't know that there were lowered standards). I never had any sort of designation as "non-traditional". When you are surrounded with 18-23 yo hot girls, the toughest part is explaining to them your "non-traditional" status without being categorized as that non-traditional old dude. Most go with the flow.

Go for it and enjoy.

 

[shakane]

I always just thought non traditional student just described people that were older--- nothing really different. I guess I'm wrong.

Question- what happens if you don't go back to school-- will you lose your job? Not get a promotion, etc?

If all else fails quit the job and become a real estate agent. We need some of them....

Lol! It's funny you say that, both my mother and father were realtors and I actually wanted to be one myself. Life's paths have taken me in another direction, although I still find myself on Realtor.com quite often. To answer your question though, it's for promotional reasons. I actually do semi-engineering duties as is and the only thing holding me back from the actual "Engineering" title and pay is the degree. The company has a pay-for-school program and felt as though I'd be a good candidate to go ahead and finish out, so here I am. Searching for loopholes 11 yrs. removed from previous college experience.

By the way, I always see your screen name and wanted to ask if you stay in Gwinnett County, GA? I stay and work in Athens, GA. During the recession, had I not already been locked into a mortgage already, I really, really wanted to move to Gwinnett co.

 

[GwinnettNole]

Lol! It's funny you say that, both my mother and father were realtors and I actually wanted to be one myself. Life's paths have taken me in another direction, although I still find myself on Realtor.com quite often. To answer your question though, it's for promotional reasons. I actually do semi-engineering duties as is and the only thing holding me back from the actual "Engineering" title and pay is the degree. The company has a pay-for-school program and felt as though I'd be a good candidate to go ahead and finish out, so here I am. Searching for loopholes 11 yrs. removed from previous college experience.

By the way, I always see your screen name and wanted to ask if you stay in Gwinnett County, GA? I stay and work in Athens, GA. During the recession, had I not already been locked into a mortgage already, I really, really wanted to move to Gwinnett co.

Sounds like you may not have much of a choice.... would the company black ball you if you don't do it? Did you say if you have a degree already and will just need a two- three year E schooling or will you need to start from scratch.

Either way--- good luck. Any engineering degree is marketable but requires a lot of work. Sounds like you are already a pseudo-engineer. Keep posting to remind us how you are doing/ decisions made.

I'm not in Gwinnett anymore. We moved to Cumming--- closer to my job and in-laws. Areas of Gwinnett are very nice.

You could always do the realtor thing on weekends

 

[shakane]

I was a non-traditional law student. I think that meant that I didn't go to law school right out of undergrad or was older. Have you knocked out any credits at all or are we talking a 4 year deal? While in law school I met a couple on non traditional undergrads. They used a local community college (cheaper) to get basically all the first 2 year credits they needed and then transferred to the university to get the accounting/business classes and degree.

I'll tell you this, I've heard a lot people suggest that law school was really time consuming. I didn't find that to be the case at all because I didn't work during the semester. It wasn't near as time consuming as finishing my undergrad degree while working full time or close to it. I assume you'd be working while going to school. That made me very efficient. Will they help pay help pay for it? Will you get a nice pay bump/promotion? Good luck with your decision.

Thanks a million @seminole817! Yeah the company pays for a % of the classes so long as I get above a C, an A gets 100% reimbursement and the percentages trickle down from there. Also, I will indeed get a bump in pay and be declared an Engineer the exact day that I finish (whoo hoo!). Right now, I actually assist the engineers and they're all waiting for me to "officially" join the team.

I attended college back in 04' but never completed my degree. I actually was one semester away from getting my AA, but made a boneheaded move and just quit (had a lot going on at the time). I'm actually enrolled now into a local technical college and am wanting to eventually transfer to the state university. Upon enrollment no one at the school even mentioned anything about a non-traditional student. I'm a married father of four kids and work full-time, I surely wish someone at the school would have shopped the idea to me.

The sucky thing about this all is the fact that, I guess different states, different program and different time periods, I went from having 48 credit hrs. back to 15. I'm basically starting from scratch. But the good thing is, I'm not giving up!!

 

[shakane]

Go get it. If your company is gonna help you earn a degree, strap it on. Jump thru the hoops.
I was a non traditional type, but it just meant being an older, commuter guy who was focused on the task at hand. There was no lessening of standards. My advisor suggested that I was doing grad level work even while earning a BS, as my productivity was strong and quality was above the normal kid's work....

No one can take away your degree afterwards, and it may be just what it takes to finish strong with those folks.

Thanks for the motivation @billanole!!

 

[seminole817]

Thanks a million @seminole817! Yeah the company pays for a % of the classes so long as I get above a C, an A gets 100% reimbursement and the percentages trickle down from there. Also, I will indeed get a bump in pay and be declared an Engineer the exact day that I finish (whoo hoo!). Right now, I actually assist the engineers and they're all waiting for me to "officially" join the team.

I attended college back in 04' but never completed my degree. I actually was one semester away from getting my AA, but made a boneheaded move and just quit (had a lot going on at the time). I'm actually enrolled now into a local technical college and am wanting to eventually transfer to the state university. Upon enrollment no one at the school even mentioned anything about a non-traditional student. I'm a married father of four kids and work full-time, I surely wish someone at the school would have shopped the idea to me.

The sucky thing about this all is the fact that, I guess different states, different program and different time periods, I went from having 48 credit hrs. back to 15. I'm basically starting from scratch. But the good thing is, I'm not giving up!!

Good for you. Make those As. Easy for me to say, though. I don't have 4 kids and a wife.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I like this guy's attitude. Good luck to you shakane!

 

[shakane]

Th

I like this guy's attitude. Good luck to you shakane!

Thanks much!

 

[nolejam99]

I completed my BS from FSU via their Distance Learning program which seems similar to the "non traditional student". For me it just meant that all my classes were online but most were still normal classes that "traditional" students were also taking. I was living in Tallahassee but working full time. The advantage for the Distance Learning program was that I could have first access to register for these classes which tend to fill up quickly and I only had to take two classes a semester yet I was still considered a full time student. Also had to meet with a advisory once a semester either in person or via video conference. It was a great experience and was easier than expected.

 

[Squirrel J.]

You can learn a little more about what you are looking for at FSU here: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/non-traditional-student-programs/

 

[shakane]

Thanks very much for the input guys!

 

[shakane]

You can learn a little more about what you are looking for at FSU here: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/non-traditional-student-programs/

Thanks @Squirrel J. much appreciated!

 

[seminoledq]

I believe it is a requirement for older students to sit in the front row of class and ask a minimum of 6 questions per day.

 

[funksouljon]

Do it. i am starting this fall on my MBA. Similar reimbursement policy with my company as indicated above. Heck, even my boss is also going back to get an additional degree. I view it as part of my reimbursement package.

The only catch for us is I have to stay for 2 years after completion else I would have to pay back the tuition. We have a merger planned for 2016/2017 so I might have a loophole there as well.

Like mama always said, "They can't take away your education. Once you go it, its yours."

 

[divinnole]

I wish everyday I had returned and pursued a welding engineering degree. I have had a couple of students who have welded for a couple of years and then went back to welding engineering school. Those two guys makes some serious jack!!