I have worked on the legal side of some high end contracts which involve IT systems...the area is not easy to get into regarding security or computer forensics...the ability to have systems checked out online has a lot of competition issues which have skills and outsourcing to India and other "cheap labour" "high IT skill" countries...the "maintenance" aspect seems to start local on hard ware and end up abroad if it is software...things may be different in the US but the companies I acted for were US based...mainly in the medical area for our NHS.

I made the decision to have "Law" as a back up profession when I was young...so had the degree and the professional exams done before leaving the Army full time...in hind sight I made an error in terms of "international" flexibility of moving my skills as these are all different in each country and involve different legal systems and more exams if I wanted to travel and work.

I had a friend who decided his "back up" plan would be in the medical area and he did'nt have medicine qualifications but chose to train as a "dental technician" making dental bridges...braces for teeth...caps etc...if you have a skill base as a manufacturering engineer this "trade" may well be worthwhile. The benefits are that it is specialised and always "local" as moulds are used and supplied by dentists...plus you can travel anywhere in the world and easily get work permits as the trade is always in demand...it is fairly well paid as well and is an "uncommon" choice of trade and getting the qualifications can be done through specialist courses which your present employer seems able to pay for.

We both love "sailing" and whilst I have taken it to "coastal skipper" level my friend managed to take it to "yachtmaster" and travel the world and gain good employment where ever he went due to having this "trade". I think this was a good move for him and might work well for you....my friend pulls in some pretty good money on some of the technical work he can now do. Good luck with the career change <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> I hope it turns out well!