Ok, here’s my dilemma, I am a 20 year old current computer art student who, after working in the industry for 8 months (got my first job in sophomore year) is starting to realize I am not enjoying what i’m doing very much at all. Sitting in front of the computer for countless hours every day working on websites I could really care less about, creating things of little purpose other than to fill the pockets of my peers and myself. I always wanted to build things that help people, and have always been an excellent student with a love for mathematics and science. As a stupid 18 year old, I chose this major because i was naturally good at it and felt it would be easy and fun, but it offers little to me now in the way of professional satisfaction, although it does provide many opportunities for income. I have been considering going to a four year public school in NYC for biomedical engineering and earning a second bachelor’s part time while working a job in the field I am currently in, is this possible? Or just some ridiculous pipe dream that i should give up on.
Hey, I was just accepted to go back to school this fall for a 2nd bach degree. It is definitely non-traditional and I had MANY people advise me against this and tell me I should just get a regular job in my field (which is a good area, just not for me) but even 5+ years after graduating with my original degree I still felt like this was the only way I wanted to move forward in life. I am going to a school that offers me a regional tuition rate, and if everything goes right it will be 3 semesters + 1 online summer class. I have enough classes that can be transferred over so that I can start my 2nd bachelors as a “junior”.
Going from computer art to biomedical engineering might be more difficult but if you are serious about it, it can be done. If you’ve already narrowed it down to NYC make a short list of programs you are interested in and their requirements. Since you’re still a student, why don’t you take some classes that might help you towards this even if it’s just an extra calculus class or whatever. It will be 1 less class you need to take in the future.
You have a dream, it is achievable. You can do it with hard work and patience, dedication.
As a counterpoint, let me advise caution in pursuing such a drastic solution to a problem you have measured with only a single trial. You are judging an entire career path by the first job you got.
If you think that’s sufficient evidence to make a clear judgment, you’re going to make a terrible biomedical engineer. 
I kid, exaggeratedly, but I do so because a 2nd bachelors will be both time-consuming and expensive, and you may be overlooking opportunities within the field in which you have already qualified yourself.
I encourage you to approach your current situation with the inquisitive mind of a scientist. Spend the next couple of months asking everyone within your field the questions “What are some ways I can use my skills in computer art to help people?” and “How can I bring more math and science into my daily work?”
Research the simple solutions before you jump immediately into the more complex ones. It could save you many years and dollars on the path to your dreams.
This is good advice by DrmSchldropout. Take some intermediate steps from your current position. Nonprofits need skills you are developing.
Do you actually have a first bachelors degree? It doesn’t sound like it.
It doesn’t sound like you need the computer art degree to be employable as a computer artist, and it sounds like you have a job that pays pretty well.
By all means work to make yourself happy. If you think that you would rather be a biomedical engineer, then follow through with your plan.
Alternatively, can you afford to get the degree full-time and work part-time? Are you from the NYC area and can you live at home?
Don’t give up your dreams, but carefully think through the options in the execution of your plan to get there.
Thought I would drop in here and post.
I chose to go back for a second degree in Engineering two years ago at age 27. My first degree was in communications.
I also got lectured a lot by people to try and use my first degree before going back. I decided that if I was going to go back I needed to to it now. So if you believe the career change is needed, don’t second guess.
As far as engineering goes:
If you are going to be a second degree student, engineering is a great choice. The job growth is almost always positive for all the different fields. Engineers have very good careers and also make a decent living. I don’t regret my decision to go back at all so far. I am currently a softmore in the “knockout” classes.
Which brings me to my second point. I don’t know you personally, so please take no offense by this warning. Make sure you have done your research into the degree. From a broad overview, I have to tell you, engineering is VERY hard. Depending on your school you will be expected to complete 5 levels of calculus, linear algebra, 3 levels of Calc bases engineering physics, two engineering mechanics classes (statics & dynamics aka dream killers for many) and THEN you start studying for your actual major. Also, I know a few juniors that switched out of Biomedical because they saw a decrease in job growth there recently.
That warning said, engineering is extremely fulfilling and a great career path. Just remember there will be times that you will want to roll up in a ball in the corner of your room and rock back and forth from the extreme course loads.
Final point, some have suggested working part time while going for this degree. Hate to say it, but that is not really possible for engineering unless you work on campus (ideally for a professor in your major). The course work requires total dedication. Social life and family life comes second.
Hope I helped!
-Greg