Studying Naval Architecture in Australia (AMC). Too old?

[anton_mr]

I've been really passionate about the boat industry, ship design and sailing for the past year. I've graduated a year ago as an engineer in IT (mostly networks).

So I'm looking to study Naval Architecture abroad in Australia. I'm leaning towards AMC, because i've read it's more on point, closer to the actual process of creating vessels (compared to UNSW). I would also like to live closer to nature in Tasmania instead of Sydney.

My dream is to get into development & research of building sustainable sailboats with alternative sources of energy e.g. solar. I have several crazy projects in my mind and basically am looking into getting lots of knowledge, connections and experience to somehow get into this stuff. I'm not looking for a top paying job, creativity and passion is the main thing for me in the job, because I don't spend much and have some safe business in IT going on.

I am 23. Bottom line question is, am I too old to pursue a career and such dreams in Naval Architecture with absolutely no experience in this area on my hands except sailing for a bit?

I've joined this community and already discovered what books I need to read (in this thread), I want to see if i'm able to handle this and if I am still that interested when I get into details. I hope someone can help me with a piece of advice.

Thanks!

[CatBuilder]

Are you kidding??!?!

You are young and will find plenty of people older than you in your NA classes.

23 is a fine age to start a career.

[anton_mr]

Thanks for cheering me up haha, i am worried because i see posts here like "you can be a good NA after 10 years of experience", so that means being 37 y.o. for me (4 years of studying).

Anyway, any comments about AMC and Tasmania as a place to study?
What's better UNSW or AMC?

[daiquiri]

Originally Posted by anton_mr

Thanks for cheering me up haha, i am worried because i see posts here like "you can be a good NA after 10 years of experience", so that means being 37 y.o. for me (4 years of studying).

Don't think too much about it, because you'll keep learning new stuff, improving your knowledge and gain new experience even after 50 years of career...

[Willallison]

AMC has a fine reputation the world over.
And as for living in Tassie... well.... a picture speaks a thousand words as they say....

[abcdefg]

23 is not too old but you will be one of the older there. I completed amc at 21 and there where a few much older that that at the end.

I would take AMC over UNSW anyday.

Don't let the pics above influence you. Those places are at least a few hours drive by car (wineglass bay, freycinet/cole bay? and somewhere near hobart?). They are also very cold most of the year.

Launceston on the other hand (where AMC is) is in a valley filled with woodsmoke with a muddy river at the bottom from which boags lager is brewed. Don't let that put you off though...

The amc course is a lot of work, and is rewarding when done. It could however knock that passion for sustainable sailboats (whatever that might be) right out of you with a serious amount of math and problem solving...

hope this helps...

[Willallison]

Originally Posted by abcdefg

Don't let the pics above influence you. Those places are at least a few hours drive by car (wineglass bay, freycinet/cole bay? and somewhere near hobart?). They are also very cold most of the year.

Launceston on the other hand (where AMC is) is in a valley filled with woodsmoke with a muddy river at the bottom from which boags lager is brewed.

Ah fiddlesticks! Yes it gets a bit chilly in winter... today though it's a very pleasant 22 degrees... besides, if it was any warmer we'd end up with a wole lot of 'mainlanders' moving here and they'd wreck the place
But no... you ought not make decisions about your education based on a few pics posted on a forum...

[anton_mr]

Thanks a lot

Yeah I will visit before I apply for studying anyway and see how I like the place. I've been living in a big overpopulated city for my whole life and I'm fed up with smog and traffic and shitty air. That is why I hope for Launceston to be a better place for me during those 4 years of AMC course.

I didn't think that AMC graduates would answer my thread. Can you tell me briefly how is the studying process during each year? In my prev. education I enjoyed the most when I had actual small projects to do while learning this or that. How is it during AMC course?

And also what are the semester dates and breaks? Only in summer?

I'm not scared of math, I did it a lot and now I code every day working 10+ hours a day so if I'm entertained by the process and have problems to solve I'm sure it'll be a great experience.

By sustainable sailboats I mean I'm interested in research of how to make the durable and Eco-friendly boats, apply energy sources like solar in new ways etc etc. like going for futuristic approach when I get to know the core

[DavidJ]

You know you might want to look into courses in things like design engineering or even industrial design instead of naval architecture.

[anton_mr]

Originally Posted by DavidJ

You know you might want to look into courses in things like design engineering or even industrial design instead of naval architecture.

Yes, i know, but how does it correlate with me having passion to the sea, boat design and sailing?

[DavidJ]

You will have to direct your own career into those directions. Choose projects about boats. This is true of every education and profession. I just don't think you will get the skills you want in a nav arch program.

I once had a manager tell me that engineers (some not all) often make poor designers and poor project managers because they become so focused on the details that they lose sight of the big picture. A nav arch program will teach you to think like an engineer. But it sounds like you are looking for more free thinking, throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks type of thing.

[anton_mr]

Originally Posted by DavidJ

You will have to direct your own career into those directions. Choose projects about boats. This is true of every education and profession. I just don't think you will get the skills you want in a nav arch program.

I once had a manager tell me that engineers (some not all) often make poor designers and poor project managers because they become so focused on the details that they lose sight of the big picture. A nav arch program will teach you to think like an engineer. But it sounds like you are looking for more free thinking, throw ideas at the wall and see what sticks type of thing.

Thanks for your opinion, but I already have one degree and enough of free thinking and self-expression I guess. I've actually been just doing what I like in IT for a year now and will be for a year more until next February, it's just a matter of finding a way to use obtained skills in a way you enjoy.

I am 99% sure I'm looking exactly for this course, i want to know all details of building boats and be able to calculate all things precisely in the process, so I welcome more physics and math in my life with open arms

My only concern was about me not being able to get enough skill soon enough to start bringing some dreams to life. But it's not like I have one thing in my mind and that's it. The course overall is interesting to me.

Actually now i'm just thinking of where to study in UNSW or AMC... Trying to research more about graduates and their achievements now.

[Niru]

is there any age limit for the education mentioned above.

i am a graduate of naval architecture here in the Philippines, and i am already 30 years of age...anyway first i have to won the lottery....might be expensive studying abroad specially if you're not a local there.

good day sirs.

[whitepointer23]

tassy is a lovely place, do you own a banjo.

[Willallison]

Originally Posted by whitepointer23

tassy is a lovely place, do you own a banjo.

Just don't play it too fast... the Queenslander's can't keep up!