I was 16 years old when I made up my mind to become a mechanical engineer professionally. With that goal before me, I studied advanced math and computer programming during my high school career.
When I started my university education, I was determined to earn a PhD in some sub-discipline of mechanical engineering.
I was involved in my university studies for almost 8 years. . .to earn a 4 year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (ME for brevity).
I’ve consistently told myself that it was due to life happening that I didn’t earn the PhD.
- I got married.
- My wife graduated 2 years before I did and we decided to start having children.
- While I was still in school, we decided to buy our home.
- There was also a 2nd car.
- My job at the time was paying me more than I could make as a starting ME.
The truth: I gave up because raising my family and making enough money to support them in the lifestyle we’d chosen was more important to me that getting the PhD. I didn’t have the diligence of mind to live in a little apartment with my wife and firstborn while I continued to pursue my formal education. It has taken me a long time to come to grips with that.
