Programming is not so much a career but a sequence of interrelated jobs leading somewhere. So, go after the things that interest you, learn them well, and try

Programming is not so much a career but a sequence of interrelated jobs leading somewhere. So, go after the things that interest you, learn them well, and try to manage your way into the related market with whatever you have at your disposal. The computing market is pretty forgiving with failed attempts, not so much with lack of motivation. Play by the rules in the interview game. If you want to get into somewhere and they do X at the interview, train and do X to the best of your abilities even if it makes no sense. And be approachable, make as much contacts as you can. This is a contact-based market.