So many ways to put the pieces together depending upon budgets and commitments and regulatory body - so what’s your preference (rhetorical).
If DD Junior (for example) wanted to go down this road, I’d certainly say part time whilst working but the paths would be something like... (UK CAA)...
PPL
Night/IMCR/ATPL TK
hourbuild to IR start
CBIR SE
hourbuild to CPL start
ME Class
CPL
ME IR Upgrade
MCC (APS/JOT)