(1) In terms of technical and job related strengths and weaknesses, what observations can be made about career changers vs predominantly/straight-out-of-school CS professionals?
(2) I'd like to design AI, not just using or applying AI software. Would anyone happen to know any tips or pitfalls?
Reason for my idea:
Not saying that what I do is easy, but I'm not sweating it either. I feel ready and an itch for something more challenging, 'nerdy', and new. My primary reason for entering my current field was financial security.
Background info:
(1) BSc in mathematics from a top 10 university in the US with some basic CS (Java, Python, Lisp, etc; I didn't find it too difficult.)
(2) ~ 8 yr of experience in the financial industry with specialized programming experiences (nothing deep under the hood)
Rough approach:
(1) Search for a part-time finance-related position (maybe government, sm/med businesses, or non-profits); nothing likely from my current employer unfortunately; I also have some passive income but not too much.
(2) Pursue a Masters in CS, making up for any pre-reqs and supplementing with independent study.
(3) Find finance-related AI work or even something unrelated if the market looks promising.