My advice is to always work in a job where the tasks you perform constitute contribute to the core business activities and not supporting activities. The best opportunities and career come out of working in places where you are seen as a cost and not an expense.
I'm hiring people in Los Angeles (downtown) who are new to programming. We'll train you with all you need to know. No salary or pay except equity by the hour. Great for students or people holding concurrent jobs.
haha, love the comment. I was a Management consultant and I felt the exact same way, the only way out for me was to start my own company - SaleMove. It is a lot harder, but yet much more rewording