do different useful jobs (Score 1)

HI I was in the same situation programming/maintaining Unix Server/Clients in the financial industry for about 5 years. After few years I wanted to learn more skills. I fancied giving training in programing so I got a job doing just that. After three years, I joind a vendor doing mobile phone operating system as software enginer (debugger/tester). during which, I used to hear a lot of horror stories about support in the software industry. I fancied doing that so I joined a vendor for real time operating system as technical support engineer level 2 and 3. I liked it so much that I stayed there for about 7 years. It was the most challenging aspect of my career. the interactionwiht other software engineers formoutside the company was incredible and a mine of learning. Few months ago I wanted more challenging job, and thats when I was transferred as a senior enigner in the professional services department. This is the ultimate challenge for me. The ability to take on projects at very short notice about a subject you vaguely know and be able to deliver on time. So now I am on the road and work from home :-) and travelling the world. The pressure is intense and can be very stressful. So I spanned Software engineering, training, technical support and back to software engineering. Todo all these jobs I have accumulated a large library that beats my local IT library. My advice is to read a lot of books specially about algorithm and patterns, operating systems. I don't know about languages but I am sticking to C/C++ and Java. I don't write much programs in my spare time (I have to protect my marriage) except when I write some samll utilities using Java mobile for phones and PDA, nothing big just small useful utilities. I would say the technical support engineer (level 2 and 3) gave me the most experience as I had to learn the internal of the operating system and that knowledge was a tremendous learning experience. Now I am aiming to be a consultant. Amazing after all that I am still happily married :-) Cheers