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I worked for 2 years on web programming, and then went into corporate law. That was about 10 years ago. I got sick of working on credit derivatives, running deals and pulling all nighters, so I quit my job at big law firm, and moved my family back to my hometown from DC. I'm not back in tech, but not sure where to go from here, and would really appreciate all your advice and input.
I'm working in a client support role for an enterprise software company. The product I support is a business process management suite. This role touches on web hosting, database, some scripting and of course client management. I help clients resolve issues, document bugs and work with developers to release hot-fix etc. Given that I'm quite rusty with all things technical, this seems like a good starting point. The issue is that I feel support is kind of dead end, particularly given I'm working in a branch office that handles only support for the most part. I'd like to move out of support into other fields. Any ideas? I'm thinking something like InfoSec can be quite interesting. Development sounds cool as well, but at 35 I may be too old for that.
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You obviously are taking quite a pay cut, going from corporate law to not knowing what you want to do in IT.
Unfortunately, if you are rusty in all things technical, you might have a difficult time; maybe not. If you like coding more than "support", I would get in as an entry level programmer with an established company, who is looking for new talent.
After you have 5 years in doing that, then start your climb back up the ladder. I am sure I am not telling you anything you don't already know, but never settle for equal or less pay and always go for more challenging work. Eventually you will plateau in pay but the work should always remain challenging.
My brief, 2 cents.
Good luck, whoever you are.
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I'm making about 1/4 of what I used to make, but also working 40% less. I have substantial savings from from my lawyering days, so money is not a big concern. My hometown is a hick little place, I'm getting paid about 70k now, which is more than the median here. Not having to carry a blackberry and be on-call 24/7 is great.
I've only been doing my current job for 2 months, the goal right now is of course to do this job well, and reacquaint myself with things like Apache, IIS, Oracle, etc. Even though I have a computer science degree, I was never much of a programmer. I'd probably stay on the operational side of IT, something like network admin, information security, maybe web programming. I don't expect to make anywhere near what I used to make, nor do I want to, just looking for more interesting work with better lifestyle. 
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Member 11574001 wrote: I'm making about 1/4 of what I used to make
just looking for more interesting work with better lifestyle.
Wow, that's what I call idealism! You have my respect and my best wishes for your new career path! 
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The best advice i have for you is to build up a portfolio of apps/websites you've done for people/companies/non profits. People can talk all day long about what they can do, but if you can show it too...that is what will help set you apart.
If you don't have a portfolio, maybe start out volunteering your time to help build websites for shops in your area who don't have one or build an app for a store who may want to start collecting info for a newsletter campaign...or whatever a need is in your area that you may be able to help with building a custom app. Brochure type websites are an easy place to start though.
If you are really really rusty, any of the free sites that help you through learning the basics of the language is a good start too. Something like codecademy i think is free (i havent looked in a long time). Can't go wrong with learning python/ruby/c#/java, and i would recommend picking up javascript and learning that as well.
Also, i don't know where you live but if there are meetups for anything you are interested in attend those and start to network that way as well.
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Sounds good. I relearned basic Java over the past month, it was enjoyable and easy to pick up. Since the product I'm supporting uses C# and JScript, I will learn those next, along with HTML.
I plan to stick around my current company for 2-3 years. People at my company tend to have been there for a really long time, suggesting there aren't a lot of opportunity to move within the company, but on the other hand this means lifestyle is good at this company, and the reason I moved back to tech is mainly for lifestyle.
modified 1-Apr-15 23:54pm.
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If you're comfortable with Java, C# should only be a pleasure to learn. Then, you can't go wrong with JavaScript (vs. jScript, which I think is dead in the water), and I would also recommend Python, as I'm currently re-learning that and it's great.
No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly. - Oscar Wilde
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I can't offer advice re your current job as I'm not into web dev. But I can offer an advice about what kind of projects to look for: consider tools and apps that may be useful for attorneys!
The best programs are those done by people who know how the users tick - that either takes thorough investigation (rarely done to a sufficient level), or personal experience. I once spent three full days at a clients company to learn their business processes, went through ech step their various employees took - both officially and inofficially. The resulting program was one of the best received I've ever done. I've worked with mechanical engineers who turned to software. They were below average with respect to programming, but their detailed technical knowledge of the engines we wrote the progrmas for made them invaluable for the project. Similarly, I've worked with a former user of our software who decided he wanted to switch to our side of it; again, his knowledge and experience was incredibly helpful.
With 10 years of working experience, I'm sure you can think of apps that an attorney would like, or of ways to improve already existing apps. no?
GOTOs are a bit like wire coat hangers: they tend to breed in the darkness, such that where there once were few, eventually there are many, and the program's architecture collapses beneath them. (Fran Poretto)
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Now we had a chance to meet this young man, and boy that's just a straight shooter with upper management written all over him.
modified 20-Oct-19 21:02pm.
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Tomorrow is my last day of work (I'm retiring). Friday is my 60th birthday. Saturday and Sunday I'm partying hard!
I'm not sure if I'll haunt CP when I'm retired, but it has been fun. I hope I've given a few laughs and helped a few people out of a jam. If I've p'd you off, it was not deliberate and at least as much your problem as mine! 
I'd like to make special mentions to Griff, Maciej, Nagy, POH and Bill - and last and by no means least, Chris (great job mate - if I'm in TO I might pop in!) There have been many others that I've passed the time with, thank you every one.
Take care all, onward and upward (or at least sideways!)
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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That's going to be great weekend. Have fun ![Beer | [beer]](https://codeproject.global.ssl.fastly.net/script/Forums/Images/beer.gif)
BTW Today is mine(I mean birthday)
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I hope it was/is/will be (delete appropriately) a good one!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Here you go[^].
Come back when you get bored.
I wanna be a eunuchs developer! Pass me a bread knife!
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Thanks Mark.
Organic veggies for me (although I might make my own bacon!)
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Happy birthday, and enjoy retirement! Hope you've got enough bread for the sandwich!
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
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Thanks Richard. If I've planned right ....
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Good luck Phil hope it works out for you, check in with us from time to time and let us know how you're getting on.
New version: WinHeist Version 2.1.0 new web site.
When you are dead you don't know it, it's only difficult for others.
It's the same when you're stupid.
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Thanks Mike, see you on fb!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Tha you retire dones't mean you have prohibited to visit the lounge.
Happy Birthday, all the best for your 2nd youth and enjoy your free time (you are going to have a lot  )
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Thanks Nelek, I know, but Somehow the keyboard doesn't have as much allure as it used to!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Shirley you are not retiring from this site. Congrats, though on your retirement. Enjoy yourself, family, and friends. Stay busy.
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Thanks. I might just become a luddite though!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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Congratulations on living long enough to cease working!! Hope you find plenty of awesome things to fill in your days!!
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Congratulations on the retirement mate. Time to take up something quiet - quad biking is always fun.
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I may try to move on from rhythm and try those lead riffs out
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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