The software world is a bit different. I have a friend who dropped out of college and is making $130,000/year as a software engineer, after only 2.5 years on the job. Conversely, I know CPA's and lawyers who don't make close to that much. Employers discriminate against the old and those with criminal records; it doesn't matter how good of an employee you would be or how much you would contribute to their bottom line. Discrimination doesn't consider such things.