Related to my previous post on geeky jobs, another issue I encounter with people wanting to use their skills on their jobs is the feeling that what they do know, what they enjoy, just isn't going to have a plance in the areas they want to work. They're good at something that doesn't seem overly fannish, and they just can't see how it relates to the cool things they want to do or the place they want to work.
I relate of course, as a Project Manager. I seriously enjoy gant charts, forms, coordinating, and organizing. I've had moments where I am probably having more fun than anyone else on a project.
Indeed, there were times I wondered where I would go with this, many years ago I began looking at ways to go "the whole fan" and do what I liked where I liked. I was in IT, which satisfied my geek, but I wanted to do more.