I turned 50 last September. Ten years earlier I started playing with Linux and learned very quickly I knew nothing about Unix. In 5 months I was rolling my ow

I turned 50 last September. Ten years earlier I started playing with Linux and learned very quickly I knew nothing about Unix. In 5 months I was rolling my own kernels, mainly out of need; apmd wasn't in the default Red Hat kernel, and I needed it for my laptop. A few months after that I was one of Those People who helped bring Linux into the corporate world when people could get fired for having done so. Five years ago I proposed - and was awarded - a research project at work (internal r&d money). I chose at that time to use Python to develop a tool to design airspace for air traffic control purposes. I didn't know Python other than having played with it in console mode. In my experience it was the language to use, and it worked like a champ for us. I'll "retire" in 15 years. When I do so, I fully intend to be employable at that time (re: current). Start now. Get into it. 33 isn't too old to start, but it is too young to stop. Btw, I have a BS in applied math from a small state college - Keene State College in NH. Degrees from good schools might help, but passion for what you do can go a very long way. (^_^) Go for it and good luck!!!!