Step number 1, figure out if the field actually interests you. Are you interested in databases? Do you want to program games? Web sites? Don't do it for the pay, or because your buddies had sweet jobs. You'll hate it if you don't like the work. You don't have to be a math freak to enjoy CS, but you better enjoy technical work at some level.
Myself I'm one of those "no degree" guys making 6 figures, but understand that I put in countless hours for 10+ years to get there, it's something I enjoy, and it's something I'm unusually good at. I also did 2+ years of computer science at an Ivy League school so while I don't have the completed degree on my resumé I had a very good idea where I stood when I left there . And I still work very long hours - the tech industry is notorious for overworking everyone. I do work from home, but most people I know do not and cannot. Over the years I have sacrificed a lot of pay for that privilege only to eventually get both.
In terms of education, get a "real" degree. The career training type schools (ITT Tech et al) not only will you not get any interesting job offers, but you will just learn the flavor of the month technologies. Take a look at state school programs. Some of them are very good and reasonably affordable. You don't need Harvard on your resumé, but a lot of employers will pass over ITT Tech unless you have something else going for you (like a lot of experience on top of it). You'll just end up putting in your time at crappy jobs in between. Since you already have a degree you know the ropes of college -- go talk to someone from the CS department and let them help you sort it out. As far as what program, pick one that interests you and discuss it with someone from the school. What kind of jobs do their graduates get from that program? If you are someone who can give a decent interview and learn new skills, consider the straight CS degree. Computer Science yes has more math, but it teaches you the fundamentals. Let me put it this way -- the thing you lack due to the late career change is experience. But employers don't care as much about experience if you can show that you have the fundamentals (not just in CS, but in your career in general). No experience + too specialized is a bad combo.
Figure out how you sell yourself to the job market, too. Programmers are a dime a dozen these days, not rare at all any more. What's rare is a programmer that works well with others, gives a decent interview, and shows conceptual knowledge (i.e. how to solve a problem, not how many Web 2.0 buzz words they can regurgitate).
All that being said, go back to the start. Is this a field you will enjoy? Even the best new graduates often make more like $50k-$75k to start. If you never make more than that, be sure you would still be happy. I know a lot of smart guys in their 30s in this field who may never see $100k. They aren't poor, but they aren't killin' it compared to other careers either. Not everyone is a DBA with 20 years experience, or a "natural" whiz programmer. In fact, hardly anyone is =/.
Finally, one more thread of thought here. You can get into the tech industry without being a techie. There are plenty of producer-type jobs as well as all of the usual roles in a company. There's always room for MBA types, accountants, project managers, etc, etc. Make sure you need to actually switch fields and not just find a better workplace. What if you got a different type of role in one of these companies, made yourself a valuable asset, and learned some other skills while you are there? Just one other angle to consider. If you're closer to the action and pick up some skills on your own, you might just circumvent the whole chain.
Just my 2 cents, FWIW, IMHO, etc.
Topic: Anyone here working in Technology and/or studying Computer Science? (Read 1417 times)