Interesting and perplexing situation ! You are located in a good area and have an amazing range of skills. I don't think that any more education is going to h

Interesting and perplexing situation ! You are located in a good area and have an amazing range of skills. I don't think that any more education is going to help. You've got the best qualifications from Hard Knocks U. I know many guys at a similar age to you and they too have a very hard time with recruiters and cookie-cutter job descriptions. So contracting is probably a better angle. Here's what I'd do in your situation (I did a similar process for myself) : 1. Make a list of what you are very good at. Like in the top 10% of the field. 2. Rate all the things that you still enjoy doing. 3. Write up a one page spiel on what value you can deliver and for whom on your most enjoyable ninja skillz. 4. Using your contacts, past clients, current research approach companies / businesses who are likely to benefit from that specific skill. Yup! It looks like sales and marketing. That's the reality of making money - you have to get out there. Read Steve Blank's "Four Steps to Epiphany" if you need more clarification on the concepts and more.