hndecision1234

This is a really interesting answer, I'd like to ask some follow up questions.

1) I've heard this from a few people now. It's a bit demotivating (just because of paying off school loans from a job that makes less money is harder) but do you think software will always pay this highly? Or do you believe as one drops the other might also. I mention EE or CS because while I love the idea of EE, at the end of the day I want a degree for more opportunities.

2) I never thought to look into this, I'll definitely add it to my list to research.

3) You're right, I guess I just think of graduating near 40 and starting over in a new field and it's hard to think about.

4) This made me think a bit, because tearing up my life could mean a couple things. I don't have kids and I'm not married so I don't have many things tying me down. To me, this would mean going to college in my home country or somewhere near for cheaper. This is a huge move and would definitely tear up my life but I go back and forth about whether it is the best move for the future or not.

5) That's a really good way to put it. Even after mentioning my age and that I've been working and I'm currently working, they go through the questions you would ask someone outside of high school which is strange. They don't like to get too in depth and just want me to apply right away. I need to be more direct in my communication and ask the questions I want to ask.

Thank you again for the advice.

This is very helpful, thank you. I have an associates but not many of the credits are transferrable for EE so I put "no degree" but I should start at a community college and get more credits that can transfer for cheaper.

Also, really interesting about GT. That's definitely a good chunk of savings so I'm going to look more into that today.

I agree about the online, when I was looking at the programs I figured there was no way someplace I'd really like to work would hire me without hands on experience. The hands on experience is what sounds the most exciting to me and it's by far the best way I learn.

This is interesting, I only ever thought about my home country but since it's a part of the EU I could attend another EU country's college for cheap?

I have a coworker that did this and also recommended it but unfortunately I need the bachelor's first. Do you know any cheaper CS bachelor's programs?

I very much feel like this also. Even after years of experience I just feel like I'm missing things, at a deeper level. I spend a lot of time learning on my own but it doesn't stick as well as I'd like it to.

Do you think that will always be true? Are software developer salaries going to be this high always?

Do you have any recommendations? It seems like there's just a few EE ones that are accredited, although I'm open to CS as well just to have a degree for the opportunities.

Really? The state college by me, middle of the road type, is 30k a year in state.

Well, opportunities with employers is one thing.

In my local area, a relatively middle of the round state college, it's 30k a year. It's good advice on the associates though. I do actually have one but not many credits transfer over (which is why I put "no degree" in the post). I could go back and get more credits that would transfer for cheaper.

You're right. I just struggle with the cost because that amount of money could sustain me for some time if I lost my job.

Yeah I've thought about going this route as well, but on the other hand the degree opens up more opportunities. Would it be possible to get a position in the field just with home lab experience?

This is good advice, I've avoided reaching out to admissions teams because they've tended to recommend the most costly routes but I can do more research myself and take the initiative like you said.

It's less about changing career paths, since I can always learn EE on my own, but I've always wanted to have a degree for more opportunities.

A great point that I've heard from a couple others by now. I would ideally try to get a feel of it without spending too much money on courses to see if it's really something I want to finish. Do you have any other recommendations for more cheaply figuring out if it's something I would actually enjoy?