SlowDownToGoDown t1_jebj5r8 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 8:29 PM

Is there a reason you can't pursue an engineering job with your ME degree?

You seem to enjoy being a server, which generally requires decent people skills. Is a sales engineering role a better fit your skillset/personality?

GuidanceParticular42 OP t1_jebnrj8 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 8:58 PM

>Is there a reason you can't pursue an engineering job with your ME degree?

To be honest, I remember virtually nothing from the degree. I don't have anywhere near enough experience to get anything but completely entry-level, and I struggle to believe I'd be hired over the numerous new-grads who have the material fresh in their mind and a "cleaner" resume. If I'm going to have to overcome the huge obstacle of having multi-year gaps on my resume, I'd rather it be in a field that I think I have a higher chance of enjoying, as my first experience with mech eng was just entirely negative.

>You seem to enjoy being a server, which generally requires decent people skills. Is a sales engineering role a better fit your skillset/personality?

This is a good suggestion. I'll look into it more. I've always had a bit of a bias against sales positions but it could be a good fit.

RobfromHB t1_jebpy9u wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:12 PM

You may find this to be even more true about the career paths you listed. Becoming a SWE is tough without the four-year degree to break through the recruiter wall. Many bootcamps, despite the marketing, are money grabs with poor placement results. Be wary.

GuidanceParticular42 OP t1_jebqts7 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:17 PM

Yes that's a big fear of mine, specifically if I try a self-study route. I have some friends who have had some success with doing post-diploma certificates in fields like data science, but their starting salaries are also less than what I've made serving, which isn't too enticing.

It's part of why I'm either leaning towards a specialized master's program (to "start fresh" after graduation). I could also get a second bachelors in computer science in probably 2 years. It's a big time commitment without a guaranteed payoff though.

RobfromHB t1_jebsvl1 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:31 PM

More power to those friends. I've tried that road personally and it's brutally hard. If you have the financial runway and can get credits for GE classes, a bachelors in CS could be done quickly like you said. No payoff is guaranteed, but the stats are skewed heavily in favor of it being a good idea. By the time you get through it the hiring downturn should be in the rearview mirror. Pursuing the degree is a very structured way to make sure you're on the right learning track and probably a worthwhile distraction from the personal stuff. If you go that route, get internships, have side projects, and grind leetcode a little bit each day. You can do it.

Celodurismo t1_jebuffe wrote on March 30, 2023 at 9:41 PM

Checkout OMSCS if you haven’t already. It’s an affordable online MS from GT. No other program has the variety of classes at such a low price, not to mention a great reputation. With a stem BS you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting in. May have to take a prerequisite (DS&A) to improve your chances.

I’d avoid the post bacc path just because of their crazy prices. Definitely avoid bootcamps.

You’re in a rough position because you really need income. I’m tempted to say go bartend part time and do OMSCS “fulltime”. In two years, possibly less, you could be on your way.

stringer4 t1_jec2534 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 10:34 PM

I had a different career and changed paths at 30. I taught myself some basic web development/JS and when I liked it I went to a coding boot camp. Landed a job and have been employed since. It’s definitely possible