I did the same a few years back but took a different route. I did a few classes at community college, then an MS during which I did a bunch of internships before landing a full time opportunity. It was disheartening and frustrating at times, but the trick that worked was sticking to it!
Reach out to people whose career path you admire on LinkedIn. Sure someone is going to be too busy, but there will be others who are generous. Remember, you don't want 'one' mentor, you want a village. I found my mentors via LinkedIn, talking to people at work I admire and also keeping in touch with professors long after I finished school. Good luck !!!
Scott Page ( from U Michigan who is the creator of the class) has written a book on models called Model Thinker. I’m currently reading it and think it is pretty good!
I would recommend "Fermat's Enigma" by Simon Singh. It's is book that goes into the heart of how mathematics is sometimes elusive to the most sincere pursuit and at the same time yields itself to a creative mind that chases it with passion.
Use community college as a non-degree student to do the introductory undergrad classes. It's cheap, you are goal oriented and can get a lot of face time with your professor.
I tried to overcome the notation issue by taking a ML class as a non- degree seeking student from the CS dept of a good university. I took it for credit, so invested a lot of time on hw and paper reading. I’m more comfortable with the notation now and am better at learning independently. I also did calc, linear algebra and Differential equations classes at a community college prior to this.
Rich always have the advantage of better nutrition, information and resources (if parents don't have time, they hire tutors). Is it truly a genetic advantage or a socio-economic advantage? Is there a good way to hold all other variables as a constant in this study?
I thought computers were cool as a kid but stayed away for a long time because of how my computer class in school was full of boys. Later, I just stopped being worried about that and, went back to school for a masters degree in the field.
Recruiter reaching out on LinkedIn. I had a few recruiters approach after I set the open to opportunities flag on in LinkedIn. I did onsites with three companies and my current employer seemed the best fit.