[3minus1]

> Would you suggest a different path?

I did a master's degree. There were 6 required prerequisite classes including Calculus and some Comp Sci classes (which you can take at a community college). The master's itself was 10 classes.

The obvious disadvantages of a master's degree are cost and time investment. On the other hand, I think it gets you more interviews and a higher salary. For me personally, I find it infinitely more motivating to study when I'm enrolled in a class. I just would never have the discipline to work my way through a textbook otherwise.