I don't think your question really has to do with programming. I think it has to do with the feedback loop of being pigeon holed, age and job history. There is a Robert Greene book that just came out called "Mastery" which I haven't read, but I listened to some of the promotional interviews he's done. He talks about this a lot and part of the book is about breaking out the cycle. I'm in that state right now with my current "job" predicament.