<p>First I'd like thank anyone who posts here, helpful or not, for at least looking over this post and giving me some kind of insight. This place seems like one amazing resource for people who are still undecided or exploring new possibilities. I've read some fantastic replies to many posts, and I hope my message here warrants the time invested in your response. </p>
<p>Bit of background on me:</p>
<p>I'm 29 years old. I have worked in the health care industry doing respite and hospice care for the last 9 years. About 4 years ago, I became fed up with the work I was doing, and decided a change of scene was in order.</p>
<p>After attending a local Community College, and speaking to their counselors, I joined up in their AAS-ET program. Due to almost no HS background (my HS was extremely bad when it came to actually teaching students, despite being a "college prep" school), being out of education in general for so long (was about 7 years at the time), and working whenever a job came up, the Associates took me about 3.5 years to complete. I had to start from scratch in the math department, and took a few extra courses, so I'm sure that didn't help much either. </p>
<p>About 90% into the degree, I finally that ET was not the way I wanted to go. I have always pictured myself in more of a design/development aspect, than fully hands on (at least, that's how I seem to myself). However, after having spent so much time in the program, I felt it silly to drop it on the spot and move on to an Engineering degree (until that degree was completed). So I bit my tongue and finished the degree. After graduation, I was determined to switch degrees. I applied at a few local Universities, and managed to worm my way into a top 15 Engineering school. I jumped through all the hoops, was fully set to start class in their EE program this fall, and then reality smacked hit me. I've already put about 78 credit hours into a degree, only to lose it almost completely upon the switch (I retained about 12 credit hours between Math and English). </p>
<p>I'm also not a wealthy person, nor is my family that well off. The money I made from working while going to school managed to get me by, but that's about it. So, I relied upon student loans to push me through my degree, and supplement my own income from the lack of work and any real pay from my then current job. I know the government has a cutoff for financial assistance, and I believe that would have run out mid way through the EE switch. </p>
<p>So, there I was with 2 big problems staring me in the face. The EE degree (only taking it to BS) would have kept me in school for about 4.5 extra years, and I would run out of funding, by credit hours alone, in about 2.5/3 years. So, I changed my mind yet again. I decided it would be wisest to continue the ET degree to the Bachelors level (offered at a different University in my area). Then, when finished with that, get a job that payed well enough to get me through life (repaying my student loans, and all the costs associated with living), and continue onto the EE field on the side. I can, and plan on, setting up the physics/math side of the 4 year ET degree to line up with the requirements of the EE degree, so if nothing else, I'll be able to bypass most of the liberal arts/science requirements (Bio, Chem, Physics, Math, English). </p>
<p>Now, my long term goals are in one of 2 areas: I would like to work either in the defense sector in some form of imaging or augmentation, or in the medical field working with prosthesis research and design. </p>
<p>To give you a bit of knowledge on my status as a student: I hold a 3.8 gpa, graduated with honors, and have letters of recommendation from most of the staff at my CC commenting highly on my aptitude with all fields covered. Although I started out weak in most areas, I have built up very strong skills in math and physics. I have no idea how I will perform in Bio/Chem, as I have never taken a class in that area before.</p>
<p>So, finally, my question(s): </p>
<p>Based on what I've written here (age, background, finances), do you believe my current choice (finish EET, move onto EE later) is a wise one? If so, why? If not, why not?</p>
<p>Do you have any advice for me, or someone who may be in a similar situation?</p>
<p>Lastly, this is just to be clear from my future standpoint -- EE will allow me to work in the fields I desire, correct? Especially with prosthetic design heading more towards being electronic and less towards fully mechanical.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my mind is far from made up, and no matter which path I am on it seems like I am making a huge mistake. I'm making this post in an attempt to resolve my current conflicts, and hopefully give me some peace of mind when it comes to whatever path I end up on. </p>
<p>Thanks for your time, and sorry for the wall of text. </p>
<p>If you have any questions, please, ask away!</p>