Hello all. I've been writing code for a couple years now. I've done side projects, contract work, and volunteer work. I've been clawing my way into a development job for some time now, and finally got the chance to jump into being a developer for SCADA systems. I'm excited to start, even though it's not the technology I thought I would be working with. However it's a foot in the door and a way to write code professionally. What I want to talk about is, now that I'm here I realized that I've become so quick to jump in as a developer that I never really figured out what I wanted to do with it. Now looking into the future I see all these opportunities ahead of me with all the different sectors of technology growing (data science, machine learning, cyber security, computer animation, etc) I find myself wanting to do more. I don't really want to run a business. I'd like to be the person getting lost in the technical thickets solving problem. I think that journey starts with going back and getting my undergrad and graduate degrees while I'm still working. I'd love to get into machine learning, and programming artificial intelligences. I'd also love jumping into cyber security (which I kind of do already), or I'd love to someday work in computer animation. All of those, while I can study outside of school and gain experience, are really boosted by having degrees. Going back to school is something I've always wanted to do, as I have a love of learning and a drive I didn't have when I tried it out the first time. I don't expect it to be easy, but it's something I think I want to pursue. Really the discussion I think I'd like to have is with those with undergraduate and graduate degrees or pursuing them. What are your experiences? What helped if you pursued a degree while working? Do you wish you could go back and do something differently? Do you have any thoughts or reactions at all? Let me know, and thanks for reading!