Maybe you could do open source in your down time to hone your skills and give your CV a boost at the same time.
I have some features in mind for Bitcoin 2.0 and a rough architecture.
Since Ripple Labs never granted me when it was the company's best interest to do so, hurt Peercover several times, and discriminated against me, I decided to
fork three Ripple gits for Bitcoin 2.0.
I don't actually care that much about Bitcoin 2.0 but I know the ideal in terms of features and functionality.
I could spec Bitcoin 2.0 in the gits and hope some developers show up.
I don't know how much the original Ripple code base will help, only suspect we could transform it into what Bitcoin needs. I do believe I have a role here since I have some intellectual property and legal indicators that Ripple Labs owes me money. Who knows, they might pay me first and annul this proposition, or I could raise enough money to sue properly instead.