Hello Mark, I like your catch-22 site. I do also have the same problem. The problem I see is that with limited or no Java experience, you can't get in. Second, recruiters then suggest totally new fields (maybe not even programming related) or your old fields (that you left cos dislike or some other reason).
@Kenny, given you are currently at a "MS shop", picking up Java then moving on to C# will ultimately be beneficial. With your EE background and C++ then Java shouldn't be that hard to pick up either.
As for getting more experience, I agree with Arulk. Doing is learning and only delivering through open source projects or freelancing, people then can notice your ability/contribution, giving you confidence to show to employers and stuff and have a software portfolio.
Talking a software portfolio, I'm starting to build my own too these days. I have a java trading website that I did last year for some java course and now kinda polishing it and picking up new more cool java stuff. If you guys interested, please let me know
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