Going community college isn't so much for your own skills, it's to move you into the "Some College" box for HR. It's make you look less like a risk and to give you a chance to at least get a chance to get in front of someone to show them what your made of and your github portfolio. Having the correct skills for the job is entirely separate issue from being an acceptable candidate.
I think school is for the most part total bullshit and you don't learn much for the amount of time and money you invest in it. All the best stuff I know I taught myself because I was interested or on the job. I have a masters degree is CS and teach community college CS classes, I did it not for the knowledge but to open opportunities for myself which others might not consider me for because I'd look like the risky option compared to others applying for the same job. In many places management and hiring processes are just as broken as the educational system.
A little off topic, but there's nothing wrong with going to a community college. Just make sure you finish all your Transfer requirements--and get that rediculous four year
degree. If a CS degree, or STEM degree seems unattainable
get a BS, or BA in Anything. You will look back on the experience with a smile on your face. At most state colleges upper division courses are easier than lower division--I don't know why, but that was my experience.
I have to say though--I'm a little surprised how many people
on this board still value the four year degree? It seems
like every Programming employment offer goes out of their way to make sure the applicant is fully aware that
experience, and a portfolio of work is more important than
a degree. The only reason I got a four year degree is because in the US certain people still think it's a big deal? I learned more at my community college than I did
at state college. It was cheaper, I learned more, the Teachers care more, and the classes were small. I actually had a great time at my community college. I was completely
dissillusioned with graduate school, and a short stint in Chiropractic school though. Good luck--don't forget applying to to construction unions--if you don't mind hard
work. A union Electrician(local 6) makes over $100/hr. including benefits. The union entrance tests are basically 8th grade equilvancy exams. The trick to getting in is a high score.(Try to ace every question). I don't think I would work construction for a non-union company though. It
pays roughly the same as Retail. I went off as usual, but
try to take care of your mental health(I don't even have
any advise on how to), but I tried to do all the right things to succeed in life at an early age, and still had
an emotional breakdown in my twenties. It really affected my life. I sometimes think no advise is the best advise; everyone is different, along with their situation?
Going community college isn't so much for your own skills, it's to move you into the "Some College" box for HR.
two important additions i'd like to mention about community college:
1) it allows networking and access to employment opportunities that may not have existed prior. (job fairs, lab employment, on-site training, random placements, etc)
2) it opens doors for bigger and better academic opportunities, which compound the effects of the first point.
3) It allows entry for a class of jobs that OP was previously un-allowed to even apply for: "BS minimum/5+ years experience in relevant field"
I think school is for the most part total bullshit and you don't learn much for the amount of time and money you invest in it. All the best stuff I know I taught myself because I was interested or on the job. I have a masters degree is CS and teach community college CS classes, I did it not for the knowledge but to open opportunities for myself which others might not consider me for because I'd look like the risky option compared to others applying for the same job. In many places management and hiring processes are just as broken as the educational system.