Algebra
Elementary to Advanced

Hi! I’m currently doing nursing pre-reqs (and I’m a math enthusiast!!), so take what I say with a grain of salt.

I say you never know until you try. There are free online classes you can take to gauge where you are (e.g. beginner algebra at Coursera )

Or if you are like me and won’t try hard unless you get a grade on a transcript, you can enroll in a community college course to feel it out. If there are any pre-req for the program you want to enter, I’d start there.

I’m a perfectionist at heart, so I understand fear of failure. Over the years, I’ve decided my mantra is “Fuck it! Why not?” The way I see it, failure to try is worse than failure to succeed.

Thank you for responding! And fair enough, makes sense that it wouldn't be easy. The post-secondary position is just what I'm familiar with, in terms of careers in math. Helping people get their GEDs or helping incarcerated adults get an education are also options I'm open to.

Yeah, I'm re-learning some of the stuff I taught my kids at the high school. It's "algebra: elementary to advanced" (https://www.coursera.org/specializations/algebra-elementary-to-advanced), but that doesn't include abstract algebra. But that's just for a start. Within the next year, I'm planning to complete more courses. I'm eager to begin the next couple specializations. Precalculus, then Differential Calculus, then Integral Calc. Any advice about the order I learn these?

This is the degree I'm considering pursuing at a college near(-ish) to me. Specifically the Secondary Education one, which can be used in my state to teach beyond secondary school. https://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/mathematics/mathematics-ms

Sounds like you just have some learning gaps to fill in and need guidance on how to fill them. Beyond that, I recommend interning or volunteering to gain industry experience and domain expertise (e.g. retail, real estate, healthcare, education, pharma, politics, etc). But first thing's first!

Regarding your skills gaps, you may find these courses helpful on Coursera (I took them myself):

Data Science Math Skills - to review the basics and fill in any foundational gaps https://www.coursera.org/learn/datasciencemathskills

Executive Data Science - for high level overview of the field and better understanding of types of roles available https://www.coursera.org/specializations/executive-data-science

You might also check out courses in these specializations (although I have not personally reviewed them):

Advanced Statistics for DS https://www.coursera.org/specializations/advanced-statistics-data-science

Mathematics for Machine Learning https://www.coursera.org/specializations/mathematics-machine-learning

Algebra - Elementary to Advanced https://www.coursera.org/specializations/algebra-elementary-to-advanced

Precalculus thru Data & Modeling https://www.coursera.org/specializations/precalculus-data-modelling

Differential Calculus thru Data & Modeling https://www.coursera.org/specializations/differential-calculus-data-modeling

Data Structures and Algorithms https://www.coursera.org/specializations/data-structures-algorithms

Algorithms https://www.coursera.org/specializations/algorithms

*Note: specializations are not available to audit on Coursera, but you may audit each course within a specialization at no cost to you. Certificates available for a fee.

**Information only, not advice or advertisement

Hope this helps!