I'm a Master's graduate in Mechanical Engineering with a Machine Learning-oriented thesis; I have previously worked as a Product Engineer (Fleet Analytics) at a major tech company in Silicon Valley. The exposure to programming and data analytics sparked my interest in SW development. I then started online courses but balancing my demanding job and late-night coding was challenging, so I decided to quit my job and take a remote, less demanding job to focus on programming and CS fundamentals. I did it... and now here's what I need advice for: My ultimate goal is to establish a tech startup, but I'm still searching for a viable idea and potential co-founders. Hence, I'm considering three paths to acquire the necessary skills and connections: Pursuing a professional or MS degree at a startup-oriented institution like Stanford, providing me both with technical knowledge and networking opportunities. Swiftly transitioning into a software engineering role within a tech giant or promising startup to gain hands-on experience and build professional networks. Directly immersing myself in startup accelerators and networking events to meet potential co-founders and investors. Each path has its challenges. The third option concerns me due to my current lack of programming skills. The first path is rigorous and time-consuming, but I'm prepared to commit if I secure a place at a top 10 CS graduate school. The second option requires efforts to break into a tech company, which means working for someone else again, while hoping to gain connections and experience. Above all, I aim to avoid a "deferred life plan" and pursue my aspirations now. I welcome your insights, advice, or perspectives on these options. Are there any aspects I might be overlooking? What path would you recommend? #tech_startup #career_shift #software_engineering