Not exactly what you are asking but, here's my story: I graduated in 2009 from a masters with a focus on financial engineering. At the time it was very hard to

Not exactly what you are asking but, here's my story: I graduated in 2009 from a masters with a focus on financial engineering. At the time it was very hard to get a job doing what I want (let me emphasize this point - I could get a job but just not in what I wanted). Eventually, I took a job to afford living in a major US city. Due to my frustration I began coding much more at home. Fast forward to now, I have a few projects under my belt that are generating more cash than my day job. Additionally, the skills I acquired working on my personal projects absolutely helped me land my current job. I have had my share of disappointments, successes and career frustrations along the way, but I get the most satisfaction out of the work I do on my own.