Great piece, I can relate to that. I was a USC business grad. After I graduated, my first job was a loan consultant and I sold life insurance on the side. Then after a couple years, I found that internet and coding was my true passion. So I took an internet related job (lower pay) with no coding experiences at all, I used my time during work to learn how to code. Then switched to different companies, aiming to learn what I wanted to learn. Basically, I got paid to learn. Not only that, I practice what I've learned at night by coding my own stuff. I prioritized and devoted most of my evenings and weekends on learning. That also means a lot of sacrifice.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: if you know what you are truly passionate about, you'll find time and ways to pursue it. Prioritizing then comes easy.