Look at the requirements needed to get the job you want. Verify that they are correct and start by going back to school. You'll be surprise how much fun it is t

Look at the requirements needed to get the job you want. Verify that they are correct and start by going back to school. You'll be surprise how much fun it is to go to school once you have a goal. Additionally, as an older student you'll have a bit more perspective so you'll be able to see how the classes you are taking will lead to the career you want. By the time you know it, you'll be done. You'll be doing it as a personal goal so make sure you keep that in mind. You can also try to become an expert on your own. But you'll need to pick a field you are very passionate about since you'll need to grind thru some difficult patches as you learn the subject. It's very hard that's why you need a goal and a passion. Very few people can become competent this way but there are many people that have. All you need is the internet, textbooks, problems to solve and a high level of grit. Also, pick an emerging field. Once you are competent in it employers will beg you to work for them. The one that comes to mind right away is crypto. People are hating on it but it reminds me of the start of the personal computer revolution. In the late 70's there were very few applications for personal computers but as you can see that's not the case now. It takes a generation shift for useful technology to become common place. I give it another ten years before we see some killer applications.