hncollege1234

Thank you for the suggestions, thinking about pursuing those other areas does make me feel better.

You're right about AI. I do use it as a supplement at work and I was never really worried about it until people I know that work on it or with it started getting in my head about how it's going to replace me. I realize that they're biased but it's hard to not take it personal. I really like your line about challenging myself more, you're completely right. I've gotten stagnant and while I think I would enjoy EE, I am using it as an escape from my current situation.

I've considered the degree in CS but I would have to start almost from scratch. I only have an associates so I would still have to get my bachelors first. I wouldn't mind pursuing it, but again I hear that it's not so useful anymore which led me to think about other degrees I would enjoy.

I'll definitely try the decision matrix and like you said, brew on it for a bit before making a decision because I have made rush decisions in the past. I think there will probably be a "grass is greener on the other side" moment with either choice but I just have to make one and stick with it.

Yeah I would have to keep working to afford the set back. I know it would take up probably the remaining spare time and energy I have and my partner says they would fully support me but I understand it's hard to know what it would actually be like without being in the situation.

This is great, thank you!

I could do that and ease into it instead of just starting full time. I enjoy the subjects and hobby projects but the employability is more important to me. I could go back and get a CS degree and but it feels like if I'm going to spend four years on something, it might as well be something I'm really interested in.

How much money do you think it's worth for a CS degree?

Can you elaborate why you think this?

Ah okay, yeah I kind of thought about that too, having to start over but I've heard there's less ageism in traditional engineering roles so I figured over the long term it wouldn't be as bad.

Maybe that's something I should try first, diving into other subjects like graphics programming. In my spare time I just try to pursue other frontend projects and I end up not making much progress, maybe because I already do it so much for my day job. Can you point me to any resources you recommend for graphics programming? I've been playing around with three.js but that's still pretty high level.

My main worry is definitely AI. I feel like I have to increasingly prove my worth, and not even to my job but to myself. I worry that in the future I'll be laid off and it'll be hard to find another opportunity. That's also where the degree comes in as another worry. It feels like a no brainer that in a pool of applicants, someone with a degree would get picked over someone without one.

I appreciate you sharing your experience with EE and your thoughts about AI. It's nice to get another perspective on everything.

Do you think that a CS degree is still worth it?

Can you elaborate why? Is it being set back by 60k+?

It's hard to know but from talking to family and friends that are in the field, I think I would. I would like to feel more challenged in my career but I worry that it's a "grass is greener on the other side" situation as well.

As far as the job market goes, I don't really have roots where I am so I would be open to moving for an opportunity, for EE or my software.

Interesting to hear about the slow feedback loop. I guess that's something I take for granted with development so I'm not sure how that owuld affect me.

Do you ever worry about the future of your career in comp sci? It's gotta be nice to at least have EE as a backup.

I have an uncle that works as one and he's introduced me to friends that also do. From what they've said I do think I would be interested in it.

I understand it's less salary and there's less chance of remote work but I'm just thinking about long term job prospects. I'm also okay with sticking with software engineering, but I worry about not having a job and also not having a degree. But I figure if I'm getting a degree, it might as well be in a field I'm interested.