[tw1010]

There are plenty of people who've worked 10 years in software (who are in their mid-30s) who've stagnated for the last 8 years. It's perfectly possible to compete even with people your own age within a year or so if you just tackle things to learn in a smart way. So don't let anyone tell you it's too late.

[sokoloff]

I often say those stagnated people have "1 year of experience, 8 times..."

Fully agree that you could compete with them on an even (to superior) footing well inside of a year of reasonably dedicated off-hours effort.