Anybody else here who is good with computers, but...

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would probably be culturally incompatible with most IT jobs, and would be unlikely to be hired for an IT job due to multiple factors?

I enjoy computer programming, as well as collecting operating systems and older computers, and would like to get a computer-related job of some kind (preferably programming). However, I get the impression that most workplaces with computer-related jobs (especially outside of places like Silicon Valley) are quite heavily dominated by white-collar culture, which to me gives every appearance of being conformist, status-oriented, materialistic, and hierarchical - in other words, the complete and total opposite of my values. Another problem is the fact that most of the IT job postings that I have seen are for people with experience, even those marked "entry-level" or "junior" (it seems as if they are referring to seniority more than experience). Yet another problem is the fact that I am largely self-educated (I learn best in a self-directed, "bottom-up" way). Also, the way I design and implement programs probably only works well if I am working by myself or possibly in a small team (this relates to my dislike of the hierarchical nature of white-collar workplaces that I mentioned earlier). The only way around all of this that I can see is to do freelance/contract work, but I am not exactly sure how I would find work like that (there are sites where you can bid on projects that people post, but I am not sure how much you can actually make that way).

Is there anybody else in a similar situation here? How do you deal with being highly skilled in a field but having significant barriers to actually finding work in that field?

You may want to research Paul Graham's Y Combinator foundation.

http://ycombinator.com/about.html

Many programmers, whether Aspie or not, have a similar disdain of hierarchical and conformist environments.

The result is that some people like Paul Graham (a programmer as well as an entrepreneur) have been working on segregating the programmer from the business aspects of a company. The idea is that a hacker works best by concentrating on what he is best at.

There is a growing effort to outsource the fluffy business aspects of a startup, to a "business guy," while making as much effort as possible to isolate the programmer from this.

For instance, there are now thousands of Hacker Houses around the world. These are essentially apartments in which several programmers can live together while working on projects together. A programmer living in one can work in an environment tailored to his needs, surrounded by similar people, with very little interference. Some companies have begun funding Hacker Houses, recognizing them as a valuable source of programmers.

My advice: look into Y Combinator's community of investor-programmers. For many reasons, a startup is the best chance of freedom.

ETA: freelance programming sites such as freelancer and e-lance can be hell. I've had experience with them, and my experience is similar to that of many who have tried this route. Google around and you will see some truly terrible cases of freelance programmers being abused and misled. I would not consider it to be a serious source of income. However, some people have had great experiences and had bids turn into lasting business relationships. The problem is that these people are definitely a minority.

Do you have a special interest that is supported by a large organization? For example, if you are interested in guns you might consider asking the National Rifle Association if they have any work for you. Often, they have stuff that needs to be done, but really can't find anyone that is really qualified--they can only find programmers who have no passion real passion for guns.

I work for a huge telecom in the R&D headquarters. They were smart and it's basically a Hacker House as in we all have closed door offices with common sitting areas and whiteboards for us to get together and geek out if we need to talk. But usually don't. Also, we can work from home whenever and come and go as we please. Some managers are more micro managers than others but I only met my official boss twice and only contact him for more equipment. I also have people that work for me so I can send them into the office to do the physical layer and just login and try to break stuff. I am so lucky I went into IT. I would be miserable and BROKE with a real job in some cublicle.

I can tell you right now, I am looking for a programmer for a startup. The problem is we are not at the point we can pay anybody right now since we are in early development (please PM me if interested and in DC/Baltimore). There are startups everywhere though, Chicago, DC, Boston and Austin are hotspots outside of the west coast, its not just silicon valley and they all operate similiarly. Basically doing startups may be the route you want to take, development and structure tends to be more flat. These days being a programmer and somebody who can prove they can do the work is a very good place to be. Many work from home or in closed door labs.

In general with IT offices though, they run the gambit. But the people who do the code often are not exposed to regular office structure as much as others in IT.

My boyfriend, who is an experienced programmer works at home, there is not much of an office culture involved. I work in IT as well, I am not a programmer, but I am exposed to office culture. I need to be though, since my job is significantly different than his. I don't program computers.

Also Y-combinator is not a company, it is a VC/Angel program to help startups launch.

I think you may be getting a mixed impression from looking at generic job boards.
Experience from my boyfriends perspective is relative to you. He has a different view of experience then say the traditional view. He will ask what you have done in terms of development, he would like to see past projects, as well as what you can do. Yes your average Business Analyst they will want somebody with a degree, and project managers they want years of experience. But programmers, well...that is always going to be a different case.

The point being is this...programmers are a different breed. There is more of a prove it factor than "years of experience". I wish I could go into more details, but I think you may be getting the wrong impression. My advice is to join a startup...that would be a great way for you to get experience.

In terms of heirachy, that really depends on the company. Most though try to be relatively flat.

If you want to be a programmer and you have the skills you will probably get what you want. My advice will be probably be fairly alienated with other IT jobs outside of programming and design though such as PMPs, Business Analysts, QA, and Technical Writers.