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I'm currently a recent grad with a bachelors degree in Economics, and while I do have a decent job with the Federal Gov't, I have this yearning to go back to get another degree in a STEM major, particularly in something that will allow me to have a career in software programming or graphic design.
-I initially went to college and was pursuing a career in accounting or finance, but I'm not too interested dealing with office politics and hierarchy-based promotion and pay.
-The finance sector is crumbling as we speak and the only ones benefiting are the Fat Cats and the Federal Reserve. As for accounting, although useful and rewarding in the long term, I would like a career that has more...excitement.
-I see more growth in the computer IT and "STEM" fields in the future than I so for business-related fields, and I see more opportunities for owning my own business with a career in IT or programming than in finance.
-I've always been a techie and wanted to work with computers, graphics, and programming. Even though life events have forced me to slowly drift from dealing with the following, the desire has never died.
So how would I be able to pursue this degree? I do have some student debt (<$10,000), and I don't mind borrowing since I know a CompSci/Eng degree will pay for itself rather quickly. Would I need to brush up on my calculus and physics? How long would it take going back to school full time vs going to school while working?
You will need to brush up on calculus and physics. When I got my engineering degree, I had 5 semesters of calculus/differential equations, and 3 semesters of physics, so be prepared for a lot of math.
Do you have an idea of where you would like to pursue this degree? You should probably call the admissions office, since they can better address your concerns.
If you are set in getting another undergraduate degree, you may be treated as a transfer student, as you have already earned credits by virtue of your current degree.
You may find that you can get admitted as a graduate student, provided you take some undergraduate prerequisites.
What you're doing isn't uncommon. When I was an undergraduate, one of my classmates already had a BA in political science. He went back to school as an undergrad to get an engineering degree. I knew a grad student pursuing a Master's in mechanical engineering who had a bachelor's in archeology. He had to take a few undergrad hours to fill in some 'weak' spots, after which he could take the graduate courses.
My $0.02 is that you should look into trying to get in as a graduate student. What good is another Bachelor's? A Master's will command more money in the work force. Just make sure you go to a reputable institution, not one of those places like U of Phoenix, etc.
I'm currently a recent grad with a bachelors degree in Economics, and while I do have a decent job with the Federal Gov't, I have this yearning to go back to get another degree in a STEM major, particularly in something that will allow me to have a career in software programming or graphic design.
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So how would I be able to pursue this degree? I do have some student debt (<$10,000), and I don't mind borrowing since I know a CompSci/Eng degree will pay for itself rather quickly. Would I need to brush up on my calculus and physics? How long would it take going back to school full time vs going to school while working?
In summary, how would I pursue this?
You should pay-down your previous education debt to zero and you shouldn't borrow for the education you're planning to undertake. You shouldn't count on "CompSci/Eng degree will pay for itself rather quickly", either.
It's a little disconcerting that someone who's a "recent grad" with a "decent job with the Federal Gov't" would so quickly change fields in order to incur additional education debt before the debt from the first education has been paid down.
Although programming is fascinating, learning it from a non-technical background requires prolonged patience. I would suggest you to audit a programming 101 course in either C++/Java at a local community college. It's a free of cost way to establish whether or not your yearning is really a whim in disguise. I wouldn't commit to a degree program without first getting a feel for it.
"Would I need to brush up on my calculus and physics? How long would it take going back to school full time vs going to school while working"
- For a Master's degree in C.S, you will need to review/learn Calc I, II, Linear Algebra (matrices), Discrete Mathematics, "Data Structures", "Operating Systems", "Networking" and the ability to code. Please don't let the list intimidate you, it's not tough, it just requires time and commitment.
Some of it can be picked up on your own and for some it's better to take a class for it. Go to a local university's C.S department's admission session and ask then which courses would you need to take as prerequisites.
You may be able to take 2 classes per semester. I would *not* quit my job to go to school.
I am currently enrolled in such a program and I won't recommend it for someone who doesn't have a background in engineering/physics/math. As you mention, it combines Math, Finance, programming and is pretty intense.
I won't tell you that your making a mistake by getting a degree in IT but I will say don't be disappointed if you end up working with or under guys without a degree that make as much or more than you do.
I have a an associates degree in IT, a MCSA, and A+, I'm currently working on a Bachelors in a different area to get out of IT.
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I wouldn't commit to a degree program without first getting a feel for it.
