Mech eng graduate here, I've been teaching subjects (physics, maths, chemistry, biology) in Chinese private schools for the past few years (A-level, AP, IB). Now in my late 30s. If I go home and start applying to work at engineering companies, will they just laugh at my application based on age and what I've been doing with myself for the past few years? I'm alright at ANSYS and Matlab so I'm not a total relic.

I'm making decent bank at the moment here in China but I'm always wary that they could change the visa/work rules at any moment and leave me out in the cold since I don't have a teaching licence. I was hoping to get into O&G or nuclear, if that helps any.