> Thirty years in a massively controlled environment, often sedentary, with limited opportunities to socialise with peers, and the simple pleasures of mutual grooming, lying in the sun etc
I'm pretty sure I did the bootcamp you're thinking of because it was around the same cost.
I'd say it's 100% worth it. I'm also in my late 30's. 4 years ago I failed to pass the phone screen with F and G (and failed 7 out of 8 onsites with other companies) but this time around I passed the hiring committee at G. I ended up declining for a pre-IPO startup though.
I had the same issues as you last time around. I struggled with System Design because I had no clue what the end goal was. It's silly that you're being asked to "design" systems in 45 minutes that have taken teams months or years to build.
The bootcamp really helped me with my anxiety. I ended up doing about 10 mock interviews which really helped calm my nerves during real interviews because I knew what to expect. I think that's where social anxiety comes from - when you don't really know what to expect.
I also used a Space Repetition Software program to help me with memorization.
If you post your email, I can email you if you want to learn more about my experiences with it and answer any specific questions you have.
I ask this sincerely because this is the mindset that I've noticed has made me the happiest and I'm currently looking for a new place that will pay me more. I've been happier when earning more and working less. I don't really care about what I do while at work or whether I'm using a hot technology or what the company does. This doesn't mean I care about what I'm doing. I do care and put effort in during the work day and I've always had high praise from managers.
Unfortunately, in order to distinguish themselves, pretty much every company wants to market themselves as such a great place to work and of course they ask the question "Why do you want to work here?" when for me the honest answer would be "I would want to work there if you pay the most and I can stick to a max office time of 8 hours per day." But I play along and say generic things about the product and people and show interest.
I find meaning in my life outside of work and more money helps me achieve my outside goals which makes me happy.
Sounds a lot like work, to be honest.