I find asking this question to be just slightly misunderstood. I am currently in my 35th year as a developer, and the learning and improving is easy with one simple ingredient: interest. Pursue what interests you, do the research, write your own versions of the latest research, and when stuck contact the authors you're following. You'd be surprised at who responds, and coming from a perspective of interest the response may be more than expected.
I've been doing C/C++ for my entire career, but have also done full web stacks, embedded systems, VFX for feature films, 15 years as a game developer, OS engineer on first PlayStation team, and reaching way back 80's 3D graphics research and Macintosh beta tester and launch developer. All from simply having enthusiasm and a combination of the stupidity to try it myself and then contacting the leaders and asking them what they did about some nit picky point. Next thing, I'm working there.
That type of easy access is only at new technologies. When I was contacting people the digital entertainment industry was yet a dream. EA was maybe 1 year old. I guess my advice is to find something that you find exciting, but is not yet a reality. There are giant industries to be created around software controlled aircraft, everything from IronMan to skytrains, fer christsake. What interests you? Augmented Reality is going to be saturated, but that area is wide open. Hell, everything is interesting. Just be sure to focus. There is success in consistency.
I've been doing C/C++ for my entire career, but have also done full web stacks, embedded systems, VFX for feature films, 15 years as a game developer, OS engineer on first PlayStation team, and reaching way back 80's 3D graphics research and Macintosh beta tester and launch developer. All from simply having enthusiasm and a combination of the stupidity to try it myself and then contacting the leaders and asking them what they did about some nit picky point. Next thing, I'm working there.
That type of easy access is only at new technologies. When I was contacting people the digital entertainment industry was yet a dream. EA was maybe 1 year old. I guess my advice is to find something that you find exciting, but is not yet a reality. There are giant industries to be created around software controlled aircraft, everything from IronMan to skytrains, fer christsake. What interests you? Augmented Reality is going to be saturated, but that area is wide open. Hell, everything is interesting. Just be sure to focus. There is success in consistency.