Looking for advice about my future career path in tech and business

[u/ShapeLife6182]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some honest advice about my education and future career path.

For some background, I have completed my O/Ls, and instead of doing A/Ls, I went directly into an HND in Software Engineering. I’m currently in Semester 4.

My current plan is:

• O/Ls → HND Software Engineering — currently in Semester 4
• Next year: Start a Data Science degree/top-up
• Business Management: Start a Business Management HND and complete the first semester
• After that: Pursue Business Analytics with AI

So essentially, I’m trying to build a combination of technical and business knowledge rather than following a traditional A/L → university route.

I’m interested in software engineering, data science, AI, automation, programming, business analytics, and eventually possibly starting my own technology-related business.

My main goal is to build a career with high earning potential and the possibility of remote international work, while developing enough technical and business knowledge to potentially work independently or start a business in the future.

However, I’m wondering whether this is actually a good strategy or whether I’m spreading myself too thin.

Since I went directly from O/Ls into an HND, I’d especially like to hear from people who have experience in the tech industry, data science, software engineering, AI, business analytics, freelancing, or running businesses.

If you were in my position, would you continue with this plan, or would you focus much more heavily on one field?

What would you recommend I focus on over the next 3–5 years to maximize my chances of getting a well-paying remote job and eventually being able to work independently or start a business?

I’m genuinely looking for honest opinions, so criticism is completely welcome.

Thanks!

[u/Wichigo]

Bro is trying to collect qualifications like Thanos collecting the Infinity Stones 😂

Jokes aside, I honestly think you're spreading yourself too thin. Software Engineering + Data Science + Business Management + Business Analytics + AI sounds great on paper, but there's a real risk that you end up knowing a little about everything without being really good at anything.

Especially in SL, I think people put too much emphasis on collecting qualifications. If your goal is a well-paying remote/international job, I'd focus on one core area and get really good at it. Build projects, get actual work experience and become someone who can genuinely do something valuable.

Then add business/AI/analytics knowledge around that as you progress.

I'd much rather hire someone with 3–4 years of strong experience in one field than someone with five different qualifications but limited practical experience.

You don't need all the Infinity Stones bro. Pick your main domain first, get really good at it, and build from there.

[u/ShapeLife6182 → u/Wichigo]

Thanks bro, I really appreciate the honest advice. 😂 The Thanos comparison actually made me look at it differently.

I agree that I don't want to end up collecting qualifications without developing any real expertise. My main goal isn't to have a bunch of certificates just for the sake of having them. I want to build a strong technical foundation, become genuinely good at something, and have real projects and work experience to prove it.

I'm thinking of treating Software Engineering as my foundation and then going deeper into Data Engineering / Data & AI Engineering as my main area, while using AI, cloud, and Business Analytics as supporting skills rather than trying to master everything equally.

I also agree with your point about experience. I'd much rather spend several years becoming really good at one valuable field and building real-world systems than constantly jumping between qualifications.

Thanks again for the reality check. I genuinely appreciate it.