You don't have to quit your job to change careers. The self-paced, lower-cost routes are built for people studying around a full-time job. Here is how to do it without burning out or going broke.
Who this is for: Employed career-changers who need to study around a full-time job.
1. Choose a self-paced route
Self-study and certifications are self-paced, with no fixed class schedule — unlike most bootcamps and degrees. See the trade-offs of each route.
2. Pick a role and a realistic timeline
Compare entry roles, then check a roadmap so you can plan the study around your available hours.
3. Use your employer's tuition benefit
Many employers offer tax-free educational assistance (up to $5,250 a year under IRS Section 127) — your current job may help pay for your next one.
4. Study free, on your own schedule
Free official resources let you study evenings and weekends at no cost and at your own pace.
5. Schedule the exam around work
Online-proctored exams let you test from home; know the scheduling and reschedule rules so a work conflict doesn't cost you the fee.
Other ways to start
- Your honest, step-by-step plan to break into tech
- How to get into tech with no experience
- The cheapest way into tech, step by step
Studying around a full-time job is a grind and no route guarantees a job — but it is how many career-changers do it, debt-free. Use the RoleMath planner to match a path to your background and hours.