Career Change

I have been in Internet/Telecom/IT sales for the last 12 years in the NY metro area. I have had a fair amount of success, but I am fed up with sales (mid-life crisis), and I am looking for a career change. I have always been interested in SEO, PPC, etc. and can carry on a fairly intelligent conversation on the subject (I get it). I have worked closely with our marketing group on our online campaigns, and have helped them refine our efforts. I believe I have the aptitude to be a good web marketer, and I think it would be a job that I would enjoy. Based on the job boards, it would appear that there is no shortage of opportunities in the area.

My current skillset:
1. Above average writing skills.
2. Computer programming aptitude, but I am not a programmer.(I did very well in 5 courses in college)
3. Excellent math and analytic skills - I am very strong at compiling, assymilating and analyzing data. I am an absolute wizard at Excel. I can do long division and multiplication in my head. I aced 2 semesters of probability and statistics in college.
4. I ran my own graphic design business for 7 years prior to getting into IT sales.
5. I am a voracious reader, and quick to pick up technical concepts.
6. I have strong sales skills, and would be able to easily interface with internal and external clients.
7. I have strong project management skills, having to frequently run project implementations.

Obviously, I'm not going to get a job in SEO based on aptitude (although I might get hired for my looks ). Aptitude and $2 will get me a ride on the subway. I will need concrete skills. I am seeking advice on how to break into the industry.

My questions:

1. What steps should I take to make the change?
2. Should I take classes in Web development? Are there schools that specialize in SEO? If so, with whom? I see there are some online Web master programs.
3. What books should I read?
4. What seminars should I attend?
5. What advice can you give on how to break into the industry?
6. What networks are available to meet people in the industry?

I realize that this won't happen over night. I am putting together a plan for my career change, and I want to do this right. Any help you folks can give would be appreciated.

It looks like you do have some writing abilities and you have a broad skillset with many applicable talents. Nice.

If you have some time before you make the career change why not read up on what it takes to do some basic SEO, build a couple of small websites on topics that you know a lot about and enjoy writing that topic. See how you like it. You might decide to work for yourself. If you are a good SEO then your boss will need to make a profit above what he pays you... so you might just work for yourself and keep the entire load.

Build a couple of sites evenings and weekends. Read, study, and experiment. Then, read and study some more. SEO, to be successful, requires patience. Patience = time. Stay gainfully employed and launch those couple of sites and try your hand at it ONLY after working for your salary. Have patience (I mean it takes time).

Egol: My last rep to you pushed you to 20. Congratulations!!

And no, there are not SEO schools where you can enroll online and get the 'ins and outs'. There is, however, SEO CHat, and many other forums/blogs that act as your playground to SEO weight gain.