I'm in exactly in the same boat as you but I'm focused on javascript and HTML-5 technologies. I started off doing 5 months of C++ and realized that my ability to make anything tangible (and more importantly enjoyable) with it probably wouldn't come to fruition for at least half a decade. I decided to focus on HTML-5 technologies and a niche focus on audio based applications as a catalyst to learn and have fun. I will tell you this, the few opportunities that I've had have come out of having little projects visible online for people to "see". Having "real" projects up and viewable is an absolutely huge differentiator, and here's the kicker, they don't have to be that "good", they just have to demonstrate competence and ability. Right now I'm working with an entrepreneur and former coo of one of the biggest tech companies in the world, and all I did was respond to a craigslist ad. I unabashedly told him I was new at this and older. We talked for an hour , laughed alot and the exact same thing happened with the phone conversation I had with his tech lead who's been doing back end work for 30+ years. If you're proactive and have the coding "brain disease" others who are infected will more than likely take to you. For the record I've only been doing it for a year/year-and-a half (not including the C++ stuff). But I also want to emphasize one thing , I've never taken a class and am self-taught. I want to do this and I personally enjoy it.