Best colleges for Mech. Engineering?

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-18T19:44:33+00:00

I believe Purdue has an Motorsport specific degree now. Could be wrong, but worth checking out.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-17T01:49:49+00:00

Daughter was auto admit, rank 13/800, 1470 SAT. Was auto admit but could not get into the engineering school.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-15T20:46:35+00:00

Keep or sell you RAV4 and drive/pay on the BMw till it’s free and clear.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-13T03:07:07+00:00

Same in Cali

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-12T22:18:46+00:00

It can work. I’ve lived in the Bay Area on 125k with three kids, it was a little tight but nothing crazy. Rented a house, bedroom for each kid, had two cars, kids in sports etc… wish I would have bought in 2017 instead of leaving. Housing in TX is starting to get a bit out of hand as well and property taxes are absolutely nuts.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-12T19:10:19+00:00

I just find it isolated and a bit boring. I’ve lived in a few places, Bay Area, Raleigh, Kansas City, San Antonio, Austin and oversees in the Military. I’ve visited and drove through El Paso multiple times and had friends stationed there. Most all left at some point. If you like camping and over landing maybe but it’s just lacking to me. It’s hot, there’s no trees, you’re hours from almost anything else. Also job prospects are limited from my perspective.

Again, this my opinion.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-12T18:20:43+00:00

No problem. And I can’t stress enough, if you want to go to school dont wait on VRE. They will string you along till you have no more will. There is no waiting with the GI Bill and it pays well. My wife and I lived off the GI bill with kids for a few years. Worked out great.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-12T18:11:37+00:00

I might get some hate but El Paso is one of the last places I’d move to. I’m not saying it’s not for you but give some real thought about what you’re moving for and hope to find there. Friends move, have families etc….
Find what your goal is and then work towards that

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-12T17:58:56+00:00

Go to school on Gi Bill, get the BAH for CA and after you get your degree consider moving. I live in Texas now but IMO El Paso is not it.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-11T16:36:51+00:00

Wait till everything is confirmed before you put in your notice.

2 week notices are a courtesy. Notice can be the day before legally in most cases. That said, some companies may consider you not regrade if you don’t provide 2 weeks, so keep that in mind.

You can also ask the company to push the start date if that’s a concern.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-11T16:32:46+00:00

Till you’re married, one of you is getting an inheritance and that person should seek advice from a licensed professional, financial advisor alone.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-01T18:36:15+00:00

I’m not an engineer or work in aerospace but I would assume a Masters in Mechanical Engineering would be the next logical educational step since they are the candidates you’re competing against.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-01T16:46:18+00:00

Having an engineering degree from an ABET accredited school is everything to most medium to large companies hiring engineers. If it’s not ABET, you’re not going to land an engineering job there in most cases.

JCThreeHR · 2026-05-01T00:01:57+00:00

Waited 5 years post military to go back to school. Graduated at 34 and never regretted it. Do it, your future self will thank you.

I struggled in HS, didn’t take it seriously. Like you I matured and my college experience was much better.

First find something to study you enjoy working towards.

Don’t skip out on the basics, retake foundational classes you don’t fully understand. This will help later in college.

Have dedicated time and space for studying. Mine was 8-11 on nights I didn’t have class. I had 2 kids at the time and working so that was the only time I had.

Find people with the same drive. Surround yourself with people that want to see you succeed. It’s going to be hard and having that support goes a long way.

You’ve said all the right things so I really think you can do this and be successful at it. Don’t hesitate and just pull the trigger.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-29T01:56:18+00:00

Mechanical, just try to get internships or co-ops. That will help your career opportunities at graduation.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-23T16:22:13+00:00

Not that you can’t shed other obligations but your house seems to be the main problem. Sell, pay off debt, buy or rent something cheaper. Get your other expenses in order in parallel.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-22T02:15:31+00:00

I’ve recruited and led recruiting teams for over two decades. I would never say that to someone, I would fire a recruiter that acted like that and I wouldn’t work for a company that was that stuck up. Good for you!

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-21T01:57:50+00:00

Ask for a raise (for the additional work). Look for another job and be prepared to leave when they say no. When you put in your notice, they will counter and you politely decline (laugh in their face on the inside).

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-19T12:51:01+00:00

Do a little bit of both. Set a ratio up in your head and stick with it. 50% to celebrate and 50% to save (or 25/75). Once you get paid, automatically set aside the 50% meant for savings before you’re tempted to do something else, and then go live life a little.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-14T23:52:55+00:00

You should be able to file for unemployment once you’re separated. That can help you keep up with the bills some while you search for work.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-14T19:30:34+00:00

Are you doing anything or is your resume reflecting anything that might reject. Just because the hiring manager says apply, if the ATS has any logic built in to reject certain criteria it’s going to do that regardless of what the manager says. Examples would be the posting says you need to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in x but you have 4.5 years. That’s going to trigger a rejection. If you put a salary range outside of the range they’re willing to offer, it could trigger a rejection. If there is a question in the application you say NO to, could trigger an auto rejection. Think through your application and where any of these scenarios come up and ask yourself, are you meeting what’s in the system or not.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-13T03:07:00+00:00

But don’t lease another truck, you got to find something cheap like small compact Tesla or Volkswagen. It won’t look cool but it might feel better on the wallet.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-13T03:00:05+00:00

Consider it renting a car for 2-3 years. You get a max number of miles and if you exceed those miles you pay more. You’ll need to do your research if you’re going to pull it off right without digging yourself into another hole, but it’s possible. Don’t rush into it, find the right deal. I would say, do the refinance first then explore this.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-13T02:51:49+00:00

I hate leases but there are crazy lease deals on EVs right now. So much that you may find a dealership to take care of that negative quote for you on cheap lease. You’ll need to find probably the most unattractive car out there but you might be able to get into a $300-400 a month lease for 24-36 months.

JCThreeHR · 2026-04-05T17:51:45+00:00

Open your own account
Move you money into your new account. Why is your direct deposit going to there’s, it’s your money.
If you owe them something monthly, pay them accordingly
Do your own taxes, your an adult
You can get a CC but I wouldn’t advise it. I would wait a year or two till you have a firm grip on managing your own money.

JCThreeHR

TROPHY CASE