Go to university. If you’re broke, go to a local community college for the first two years, get good grades, then transfer to the best school you can get into and afford to finish your degree. Your local state uni is probably just fine for undergrad. Plan at least a terminal Masters degree though.

Engineers often have poor self-esteem. You can learn to program. Anyone can. It just takes work and persistence. Algebra is mandatory. Geometry helps, especially if you’re doing graphics. Calculus will be very useful, but not necessary for most application level work. Begin with math. The rest is syntax and rules of thumb.