Hi

I'm going through an (early?) mid-life crisis. I'm 31. I've had a passion for computers/it security since I was like 16 and read "A Cuckoos Nest" by Cliff Stoll.

I got off track. I'm working at a warehouse for $14/hr. I want to get my life back on track. Not sure how to do that. Have some ideas.

Some background so that perhaps you can get an idea of my skillset. Diminished as it may be.

I was extremely interested in computer security when I was younger. Friday night for me was combing over source code looking for buffer overflows, race conditions, format string bugs, etc.

I found holes ranging from buffer overflows in linux games that'd give you gid=games when exploited to remote root holes in widely used daemons.

I'd generally write proof of concept code and send it to security focused websites (at the time, bugtraq).

I also loved to reverse engineer malware. I wrote a paper that was picked up by a leading AV company and published on their website.

I've written security suites for Linux which included kernal patches to 'secure' the kernel or 'harden' it, userland utilities such as tripwire-esque software to monitor for binary modification, etc.

I've written Windows programs such as a Poker Bot that played for real money on Party Poker (back when this site would give you real time game information in their logs, no screen scraping necessary).

I haven't truely coded in probably 4 years. I briefly wrote an Ebay Scraping utility to parse out certain auctions to assist with my 'brilliant' idea of an ebay business. Lasted all of a week.

Anyways, rambling, most of the above was all done year s ago, like 8+ years.

I have nothing really relevant at this point to offer employers. I want to go back to school.

I have $20,000 which is kind of earmarked for this.

I'm considering taking a 3yr College Diploma program "Computer Programmer Analyst".

It's what I wanted to take when I was 18 but instead stayed close to home and did a 3yr diploma program which was more focused on h/w electronics (Microcomputer Engineering).

I've never been a good programmer. I focused on **** like security as described above, stuff that at this point probably wont translate to any kind of job esp since it's so dated now.

So my ideas to get out of this warehouse are:

3 yr College for Computer Programmer Analyst:
http://www.stlawrencecollege.ca/inde...D=6&progId=553

University, Bachelor of Science with a focus on Software Engineering (small chance of this, too expensive, not smart enough..but maybe ill challenge myself??)

Upgrade my skills myself maybe get some certifications? possibly CISSP and JAVA certs?

Or am I destined to work at McDonalds? Quite possible.

TLDR: 31yr old loser, $20,000, some dated comp. sci. skills. College, University, Certs, other? or am I a lost cause?

if you read it all, thank you!!

Why not get back into computer security?

Sure, it has evolved since your last spin but the angles of approach in detecting/analyzing security holes probably have not by much. If computer security is what you love, you'll probably be bored to death developing standard business applications.

Get a 4 year degree in computer science and you can basally do what you want. During your 2nd year start focusing on applying for internships at security and defense companies.

I'm in the US but that programs you listed looks like a university of phoenix diploma mill program, don't go there.

I agree, stay away from the quick diploma programs. You're almost guaranteed to get laughed at when searching for a job with one.

It sounds like you want to do Computer Security, so get back into that.

You have some skillset which will most likely be better than most of those in your future classes. Also, the whole point of schooling is to teach you up to date tactics/techniques/procedures to apply to the constant changing world.

I'm in the same boat as you. I just finished an 8 year stint in the Army and just now started on my education. It's going to be a long road but I'm determined to make it happen. I originally thought about getting into network security but decided on a BS in Business and Minor it IT.

Keep in mind there are numerous grants and scholarships available to get back into college. Perhaps write the AV company that used your paper and let them know your plans. They may even sponsor your education and give you a position at the company when you finish...hell, ya never know

Finally, if you are in the US, military service is always an option. They pay for 100% of your schooling when you finish your service and it helps to throw on your resume when you get out.

Best of luck to you and keep us updated!

Sounds like you are selling yourself short, especially given that you wrote a working poker bot. Even if it was losing, that's not an easy thing to do.

1. Sell Poker Bot bundled with screen-sharing malware.
2. Profit

It's not clear from OP whether you have a bachelors. If not, go and do a bachelors in CS. Take the hardest courses in algorithms, network and computer security, and some cryptography courses (the math based ones).

To get started, do this:

Format and setup a new machine
Windows 7/Linux your choice

(I'm more familiar with windows so the tools I describe are mostly Windows based)

Read up on the different approaches to security.
Start playing with some modern security tools (mostly free or with trials)
- HIPS software - comodo defense +,
- Application virtualization - Sandboxie
- Application control - AppGuard, AppLocker
- Virtualization - VMWare player, VirtualBox
- DEP/SEHOP/ASLR enforcement in windows (EMET software tool)

Read up on the different approaches to security. Try to understand how these programs work and what types of attacks they are can handle.

As an aside, you may want to first setup a virtual machine, clone it, and mess around with these programs on the virtual machine.

I don't know where you live but you might want to consider the East side here in the Seattle area. There are a lot of contractor positions where people that don't have degrees can gets jobs in testing and such. You won't get rich but they pay a heck of lot more than $14 an hour. Plenty of opportunities to get more education and such while you get practical experience.

odesk, elance, CL gigs .. build your write some code, build some confidence, better yet build the resume. Get back into the game.

You have way too low an opinion of your abilities, that's probably your only problem.

You have tons to offer an employer, a rare set of skills and ability and unless you're determined to go to college should start agressively looking for jobs. You need a bit of luck but less than most other people.

Also pursue college but make sure its an interesting course at a good college. You need to ace this course, if you do even at ~35 you will be a hot property. Given what you've said you can easily ace a degree at nearly any college - dont let anyone tell you otherwise, most people are mediocre and could never ever do what you have already done.

An even better option imo at your age is to look for a part-time degree. Combine that with the job search (it will help with cv and inteviews) and then do it alongside a job.

oh and as suggested if you haven't coded for a while do some.

+1

Take a look through loads of jobs. Make a list of the technologies used/skills needed for the jobs you like the sound of and start do a little research into them. You can use them to help you to decide what college courses would suit you best. And start writing some code again. Use source control from the off if it's not a habit you had before.

Yeah this is a great way to go. Get in somewhere and you'll quickly prove your worth.

You sound like a really smart guy so I don't doubt that you'll excel if you can be a good worker-bee.

I think security is a better focus for you than programming. It can pay extremely well and the certifications actually hold some weight. If you can get a job that will sponsor you for security clearance then you'll have a huge advantage in the job market.

Some of the stuff you've listed is pretty impressive. I'd try doing a few things here:

1) Apply for school. You might not need it or end up going, but should get started on this process
2) Refresh yourself on some code. Start a simple project, learn (or relearn) a language
3) Look at job listings to get an idea of what you need to actually land a job. (listings in LA). Just click around and see what the pay is like/ what the requirements are like. If you can code (esp some of the stuff youve listed), with luck you can land a junior position with not much of a resume