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respect_the_S
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I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering and I've been out of school for almost 5 years. Several months back I started learning Java just for kicks, but I've reached a point where I'm pursuing more and more knowledge of CS concepts on my own, and the interested level is far exceeding that of MechE.
I'm heavily considering a slight shift in career paths towards CS, but I'm not sure how to go about it. At this point, the choices seem to be either get formal education on the prereq material and then go for the MS, or do some rigorous self study, get involved in an OS project, and just find a new job doing what I want to do.
The problem with the latter is that, from what I've read, it sounds like that may work for programming/web development jobs, but I'm not sure I want to do that forever. I don't want to cut myself short on education and then miss out on opportunities for interesting positions that require formal education. I also like the structure of formal education, and that assignments push you to solve certain problems you may tend to brush over in self study.
Right now I'm looking at the computer programming post bach certificate from NC State, which says it is adequate prep for a career change in itself, or for prereq coursework for grad admission. I've checked many program course outlines, and this seems to cover all the nuts and bolts courses such as data structures & algorithms, architecture, operating systems, discrete math, etc.
So my question is two fold: 1) which path (formal/informal) is recommended based on the experience of those who've gone before me and 2) assuming the formal path, do you know if NC State has a good CS program that will help me get into a grad program if I take their certificate coursework.
Link to cert program if you're interested: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/PS/CPC.html
Thanks!
Edit: I'm focusing on NC State at the moment because it's fairly affordable (300-400/credit hr) and it's a distance program (I'm in WNY)
I'm heavily considering a slight shift in career paths towards CS, but I'm not sure how to go about it. At this point, the choices seem to be either get formal education on the prereq material and then go for the MS, or do some rigorous self study, get involved in an OS project, and just find a new job doing what I want to do.
The problem with the latter is that, from what I've read, it sounds like that may work for programming/web development jobs, but I'm not sure I want to do that forever. I don't want to cut myself short on education and then miss out on opportunities for interesting positions that require formal education. I also like the structure of formal education, and that assignments push you to solve certain problems you may tend to brush over in self study.
Right now I'm looking at the computer programming post bach certificate from NC State, which says it is adequate prep for a career change in itself, or for prereq coursework for grad admission. I've checked many program course outlines, and this seems to cover all the nuts and bolts courses such as data structures & algorithms, architecture, operating systems, discrete math, etc.
So my question is two fold: 1) which path (formal/informal) is recommended based on the experience of those who've gone before me and 2) assuming the formal path, do you know if NC State has a good CS program that will help me get into a grad program if I take their certificate coursework.
Link to cert program if you're interested: http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/PS/CPC.html
Thanks!
Edit: I'm focusing on NC State at the moment because it's fairly affordable (300-400/credit hr) and it's a distance program (I'm in WNY)
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