[dasht]

I wish someone had given me advice along these lines, long ago:

(a) Make sure you have a really strong grip on your finances. (You sound like you probably do but I'm mentioning it anyway.) Include worst-case planning like the scenario where you are pulling part-time shifts flipping burgers or whatever -- the more savings you can accumulate early, I'd bet the happier you'll be. This industry most definitely does have its "bust" periods when even many of the "best" can't find work.

(b) As long as you've got work.... nothing says that you have to be a full time student, or complete in four years, or go deeply into debt. Consider working on a BA or BS or higher part-time on a pay-as-you-go basis while still accumulating savings. And, especially if you'll be paying out of pocket -- even though you are only part-time -- be a really f'ing good student and really nail everything along the way. Dig in and enjoy it all. Shine.

(c) avoid the trap where you think you'll get started on that "part time student" thing next year (or the year after, or the year after).

With this path you'll be managing your money conservatively, dedicating a substantial amount of your life to guided learning, gaining a diversity of real-world experience at the same time, minimizing your dependency on some all-or-nothing guess about what future employers you care about will want.

[jdelgado]

All phenomenal points. I think this is most likely going to be the route i'll take. I'll continue working and taking one or two classes a semester until I get the degree.

Really good points across the board, definitely quality advice and I really appreciate your time.

[NateDad]

I actually totally disagree with this. You don't get the full immersion when you're part time. I think this actually cheapens the whole experience. Old people (read: anyone above 27, including myself) do this because we have to. we have a house and a family and obligations. You're young, you don't have these obligations.

Going part time gives you less of an opportunity to relate multiple classes together. The crypto course you took two years ago and the networking course you're taking now may have a lot in common, but if they're separated by that much, you'll miss it.

This is also the road you take if you think the BS is really only worth what it does to your resume, and I think it's so much more than that. You can really get a head start on making yourself a great developer by going to college and finishing early, rather than trying to work and get a degree on the side.

People who worry about college loans didn't get a degree in Computer Science. You know what the environment is like out there... there's always jobs, and even entry level ones pay really well.

You won't be "missing out" if you spend a few years getting your CS degree. You'll be right in line with everyone else getting a degree, and when you graduate, you'll have your work experience to make you stand out. Plus, your work experience will make college that much easier, because all the dumb stuff won't be hard, and you'll be able to concentrate on the interesting stuff.