[akg_67]

As a former Chemical Engineer who switch from Petrochemical to Technology over a decade ago in mid-30s, a few suggestions:

1. Get a MS in CS (part-time) degree. It will go a long way in solidifying your role in technology industry specially if you want to be in development and as individual contributor.

2. You have another 15 years of runway before you are considered as "over-the-hill" if you remain in development and as individual contributor. Focus on maximizing income, maximizing savings, building "expertise" that you can later leverage as consultant, building persona, and building "revenue generating" side projects.

3. Don't chase the next "fad" instead focus on an established and growing domain such as data science, security etc. which you expect to be around with demand for next couple of decades. Think of in terms of what is the outlook for next 20 years instead of whether entry requires 10 years experience. Pick one and stick with it for next 10 years at least.

4. Be visible in the domain you chose. For example, through conferences, books, articles, blogs, open source contributions, and discussion lists.

[roronoa]

Thanks for the good advice, especially #2, I need to start seriously working on the income/savings side. There's food on the table for the family, but need to save more for these 15 years for sure...

I looked into doing an MS, but I already have one (obviously not in CS) and with all the information and tools freely available now...I am leaning towards building stuff and using it as leverage for #4.

I am after the skills more than after the degree, I can move much faster that way. If a field really needs the degree I will try another one, this strategy worked with web development, so I will try that first and see.