Having a technical background is generally an asset, and therefore I’m sure you’d do fine academically. It will certainly help you personally when dealing with engineering issues on the ship as long as you’re not presumptuous and cocky about your prior education.
But as for carrying any weight and helping employment chances? Realistically not that much when you are applying for entry level jobs in an unrelated field.
As for your age, oddly enough the only GLMA grads I’ve worked with have been older. Technically we’re not supposed to consider the age of an applicant. Realistically I’m not saying it can’t happen. You should consider what you include in your resume.
That being said, everyone who graduates receives the same license, and is just as green a new 3rd Mate on their first ship. Statistically they are younger, which means when you graduate approaching 50 it’s likely your first supervisor will be around half your age. But here are plenty of older career 3rds out there who chose not to upgrade and keep on sailing just fine. It’s all about your mindset.