Congratulations PLC Man! You have always impressed me with your clear insight and experience - much greater than your 24 years on this planet.
Glad you posted some of your 'backstory', there are so many Automation people on this forum, I have wondered about the paths each one took to make it here, and be involved in this highly technical field.
Remember, NEVER stop learning! That's what has kept me in my present job for 29 years (last Friday), now almost 34 years since graduating at GT. (yes its a bit staggering to think about how long that's been!)