I've had the opportunity to work as a software contractor for the government (environmental/GIS), in the FMCG industry, Branding/Advertising with DevShop type e

I've had the opportunity to work as a software contractor for the government (environmental/GIS), in the FMCG industry, Branding/Advertising with DevShop type environment and am currently working in the Health Care industry. What you really will be learning is the domain and the different problems people in those industries face and the solutions that are acceptable to them. We as developers/architects should and do become domain experts in solving certain types of problems. Say, by chance you learn how marketing affects business decisions - you'll gain a better understanding and foresight into what is expected of you (always to drive up profits!). If you do decide to leave for another industry - marketing is still applicable there. Perhaps then you will be on another boat - building the things marketing promised - or where you will be tasked to build a home page where knowledge regarding conversion, marketing copies, pricing structure and analysis (ex. A/B testing) will make you an asset to the business. I'd say give it a try. I am interested in working for Microsoft at some stage (I focus primarily on .NET) - but after reading that they consider someone with 7 years working experience in development a 'beginner' i.t.o full-time employment - I reckon there's still a lot I need to learn till then. I'd say if you're still interested in Silicon Valley by then, keep an eye out for job listings :).