I'm 30 with about 8 years of professional development experience under my belt (including a couple of nice contracts with some respectable companies). Being self-taught has both helped and hindered my career/job searches of late. It's helped get me interviews, because recruiters see the years of experience, and gain some side contracts. It's hindered my career/job searches because everyone assumes I've got a comp sci degree during the interview. I get asked questions that are very specific comp sci questions, and I don't know how to answer them, even though I may have used those concepts in the past.
So, to answer your question, Yes ... and no. I do worry, but I hope to be moving toward a management position (or running my own business) instead of being a code monkey for the rest of my life.
So, to answer your question, Yes ... and no. I do worry, but I hope to be moving toward a management position (or running my own business) instead of being a code monkey for the rest of my life.