1)Get a job where you can learn as much as possible, where you're not even close to being one of the smartest people in the room, and that gives you the freedom to experiment and learn. Find a boss that knows this won't be your last stop, but is willing to put some time and training into you anyway. - There's a lot more of these types of bosses than you think. 2) Start up a business on the side. Even if you are just trading time for money - IE a niche software dev company rather than a cool new app - it's still worth it for the intrinsic value. Starting a business forces you to deal with clients, overhead, time management, contractors, and lots of other aspects of work. You can also give yourself any title you want. I suggest stay away from "CEO" or "CoFounder" because it will make you look like just another wantrepreneur. Try "Director of ...." It's really important to give yourself an awesome title that people will believe and give you credibility for. 3) Know that your business WILL fail. It's going to happen. Don't avoid it, embrace it. Obviously don't willingly fail, try to keep it going as long as possible, but just know in the back of your mind that you will fail. 4) Know you have experience with a company, a group of people that you can use as references, as well as a former fancy title and experience running a business and managing people. You just skipped 10 years of climbing the corporate ladder. The next time you apply for jobs, or as a high level director in a startup, you'll be younger and just as qualified than your contemporaries.

Try it out - let me know how it goes...it worked for me, and a lot of other successful people.

Note, I'm not a developer, I'm a marketer