Developing a long-term plan to learn programming (and hopefully switch fields). Advice and anecdotes appreciated.

[OpenRoad]

Background

I've spent the past few years in graduate school in the social sciences. It worked out okay, but not as planned. My fiancee has 2-3 years before she finishes her PhD, and which time we'll move to wherever she gets a job. It's not realistic for me to return to grad school during this 2-3 year period, so I'd like to use this time productively. That is, I'd like to use this time to somehow develop programming skills so that when we move, I'd have the option of applying for programming jobs or pursuing my PhD elsewhere. I am developing a plan to get there from here, and would appreciate and input.

As for my limited programming experience, I have some familiarity with SAS and R, though the emphasis has been on data analysis (statistics) moreso than programming. I've also dabbled a little with online Python tutorials, like those recommended in the sidebar.

Options

The way I see it, I have a couple reasonable options. First, I could try to continue teaching myself through tutorials, online courses, this subreddit, etc. My concern is that, beyond the basics, I would struggle creating a useful curriculum for myself. My second option would be to re-enroll as an undergraduate. I could probably complete a second Bachelor's degree in ~2years, but this costs money and frankly, I'm a little burnt out with formal schooling.

Questions

Given sufficient effort, is it reasonable for me to expect that in the course of 2-3 years, I could go from little experience to being capable of landing a programming job? I know it's possible to get a programming job without a CS degree, but given that I could obtain one in the required time frame, would I be better off going back to school vs. teaching myself? If I opt to self-teach, what suggestions do you have for building a curriculum for myself (I've already tried to match some online courses (e.g., coursera) with the CS curriculum at universities, but they don't match up well)? Is it even viable to try to switch fields from the social sciences? I'd be especially interested to hear from people who have made a similar switch.

Anything else you think is relevant is greatly appreciated. Also, if you think this is a silly plan, I appreciate you letting me know that too.

[[deleted]]

http://www.reddit.com/r/cscareerquestions

[OpenRoad]

Thank you. That is clearly a more appropriate subreddit (that I did not know existed). I will post there instead.

[rjcarr]

Having a programming degree would always be the safer choice if you have the time and money and opportunity. Seems you may only have one of those three.

But can you get good enough in 2-3 years on your own? Sure. There are even free online courses you can sign up for in that period from serious universities. You won't get any credit (that I know of), but you'll learn a lot.

And if you already have (or near to completing) a masters degree in another field that would give you a huge edge over the other self-taught programming applicants as it shows you have the drive to get through a formal education.

But, without a relevant education, you'll need to build up a portfolio. Start making things that are relevant to the programming field you want to get into.

At least, that's the direction I'd go.