Programmers: Before you turn 40, get a plan B (2009)
Don't specialize in things that depreciate as rapidly as programming languages! C++ experience is quickly getting less relevant over time, but stochastic calculus, digital signal processing, machine learning, and distributed systems aren't. Some of those specialties get <i>more</i> valuable; in fact, sometimes, the forces that make things like C++ less valuable actually clear the way for things like distributed systems to become more valuable.<p>I was allowed to offer only a single bit of career advice, that'd be what I'd say: <i>don't specialize in programming languages</i>. They're a trap!<p>(But then, I'm not quite 40 yet, so I could be wrong).