06-09-2023, 11:06 AM
Wow, this was a long time ago! I just wanted to give an update in case anyone else stumbles upon this thread and/or is in a similar situation.
Long story short, I did end up sucking it up and finished my BS in Psychology at Excelsior. Meanwhile I started to self-study computer science and programming religiously. I wanted to make sure I really wanted this career change. I also reduced my expenses and started to grow my masters degree fund. After I graduated, it wasn't easy to find a program that would accept someone with a non-tech undergrad degree.
I (unsurprisingly) got rejected from UPenn's Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) program, and I ended up enrolling in University of West Georgia's Applied Comp Sci program, mainly because it was marketed for people with a non-tech undergrad degree.
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.
More than half the classes are taught only by a single professor, who is also the Program Coordinator (Michael Orsega). This man should not be allowed to teach. He literally told me (I'm a woman) that I would be better off marrying a software engineer than ever trying to be one. He was extremely condescending and so unreasonably particular that 75% of students in the program failed or dropped out after the first two courses.
I actually passed those first two courses and transferred them to Maryville University of St. Louis, where I enrolled in the MS in Software Development program. It was pricy (~ $20,000) but ended up being so worth it. I graduated in 1 year with a 4.0 GPA and I am now successfully working as a Software Engineer, 100% remote, and traveling the USA in an RV (plus occasional international trips).
My advice? Be honest with yourself about what career and lifestyle you want, and work hard to make it happen - even if you have to 'suck it up' for a bit. Remember, you can do hard things. It's all so worth it in the end.
That being said, I am very grateful for this forum. I hope you all accomplished your goals and living your best lives.
Thank you all so much for your help.
Long story short, I did end up sucking it up and finished my BS in Psychology at Excelsior. Meanwhile I started to self-study computer science and programming religiously. I wanted to make sure I really wanted this career change. I also reduced my expenses and started to grow my masters degree fund. After I graduated, it wasn't easy to find a program that would accept someone with a non-tech undergrad degree.
I (unsurprisingly) got rejected from UPenn's Master of Computer and Information Technology (MCIT) program, and I ended up enrolling in University of West Georgia's Applied Comp Sci program, mainly because it was marketed for people with a non-tech undergrad degree.
IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWFUL.
More than half the classes are taught only by a single professor, who is also the Program Coordinator (Michael Orsega). This man should not be allowed to teach. He literally told me (I'm a woman) that I would be better off marrying a software engineer than ever trying to be one. He was extremely condescending and so unreasonably particular that 75% of students in the program failed or dropped out after the first two courses.
I actually passed those first two courses and transferred them to Maryville University of St. Louis, where I enrolled in the MS in Software Development program. It was pricy (~ $20,000) but ended up being so worth it. I graduated in 1 year with a 4.0 GPA and I am now successfully working as a Software Engineer, 100% remote, and traveling the USA in an RV (plus occasional international trips).
My advice? Be honest with yourself about what career and lifestyle you want, and work hard to make it happen - even if you have to 'suck it up' for a bit. Remember, you can do hard things. It's all so worth it in the end.
That being said, I am very grateful for this forum. I hope you all accomplished your goals and living your best lives.
Thank you all so much for your help.
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