Don't feel bad - I am in this situation as well. I believe your assessment is true in regards to the stereotype / first impression we make to hiring managers e

Don't feel bad - I am in this situation as well. I believe your assessment is true in regards to the stereotype / first impression we make to hiring managers etc. If I could go back in time I would have the done the bay area thing when I was young too. But, life is a bit of give and take - there are some good things that happened in my life not taking that course (even if they didn't all work out as planned). So you kinda have to appreciate those parts of life and accept the fact that you are maybe not in the financial situation you wish you were in. The only guarantee we have in life is this moment :)