Hey!
Today I wanted to talk about some fears I had before I started studying Software engineering. I started to learn programming on the weekends when I was 32. A few months later I had programmed a very simple website with HTML and CSS and decided to quit my job and study Software Engineering full-time.
Of course there were some doubts. Was it the right decision? Would I be good enough or fail and then have trouble to find a new job as a lawyer, as the employers obviously would notice that I didnt enjoy law, as I quit my job before? Would I be able to "compete" with students, who already have been programming since ages?
Luckily, none of these fears became real. Up until now, I gained all the necessary credits. Of course at the beginning I had to invest more time than the students who had years of programming experience before they started studying. But in these three years of Software Engineering I learned an enormous amount and finally dont have any doubts, that at the end of the studies I will have become a good programmer.
Also Im not afraid of all the IT things I dont know yet any more. As we have learned and used so many different languages and technologies already, I recognize a lot of similiaries and patterns. In my opinion you can quickly learn anything, when you have an overview of how Computers work and used a few different languages and frameworks in some group projects.
Nothing is too difficult to learn, only some things have a few more logical steps than others. It's never too late to change careers! Did anyone make similar experiences? Have a nice day. :)
Top comments (35)
I started 2 yrs ago at 53!
Nice one Matt. I started when I was 47, am 53 this year 😉
Hey David, Thanks, time flies when you're having fun. ;)
Same to you!
You give me hope! I started coding at 51. :)
Wow! Well done.
Hi Matt, that's fab! 😊🎉 what was your previous job? :)
I worked in Biotechnology for ~15 years then taught middle school and college for ~10 yrs. Thanks for asking.
I saw that you were/are a Lawyer. That is quite an accomplishment too. ;))
Maybe you can merge all your subjects in some way then! :) Thanks. :)
Ageism is definitely rampant in tech (I can't count the number of times the twenty-something interviewing me was unable to conceal their assumptions about my knowledge of modern stacks, only to resent that I was more current than they were and shift to sabotage for fear that I would take their job), and definitely something to brace yourself for; however, those guilty of it are doing you a favor. You don't want to work in such toxic environments.
Now, doing things on my own at 41, I'm bracing myself for ageism from investors.
Hi, yes, age should never be a problem. :)
Nope, you can start programming anytime you want! You can always choose to learn a certain part of that programming language to do the thing you exactly want. And you don't have to learn all topics of that language. Programming is all about practising to build a muscle memory is very important.
Hi Loouis, yes the more you practice the easier it gets! 👍
TBH, it is hard out there - my mentor used to say that a lot. But we need to achieve what we really want in our life no matter what. I changed my career as a developer when I was 34 and never regret. Be happy and free.
Hi David, awesome! 😊👏 If you put in the work you will be successful. :)What was your previous job?
For sure 😁. I was a product manager in trading industry.
Hi Anja I am just starting my journey at 33 and loving it so far.
It is so exciting learning something new again each day! Hoping by next year to get over imposter syndrome and begin applying for jobs in programming
Good luck with your courses
Hi Tom, thats great! :) What did you do before? Yes, I also loved being able into diving a new topic after such a long time! :) Thanks, good luck for you too! Feel free to reach out when you need help.
Currently in logistics and retail but also been in catering.
So learning alongside a full time job with 3 kids as well always makes it challenging. Currently practising by making an app to help my son's with their schoolwork and spellings etc
Wow, that's a challenge! But you can do it.👍 sounds like a great app idea. 😊
Agreed! I started only last year (29 now) and due to begin formal study next year. I'm in healthcare, and found that there's so much low-hanging fruit waiting to be picked between those two fields. How lucky are we to have two passions 😀
Hey that's so awesome, all the best!😊 🍀 Merging med and tech is such an important field! 👍Yes we are lucky to be able to get two careers indeed.
Congrats on starting your journey and I'm glad you are excited about it.
I don't think you can be too old to start programing. I know a few people who started later on and have gone on to have very happy careers in development.
I think having the right mindset and motivation can go along way. Don't get caught up in social media drama about developments do's, don'ts and whatnot. Software development is different for everyone. You'll find the right kind of work that makes you happy.
Thank you Jen! 😊 Yes everyones journey is different and where is a will there is a way! 👍😊
I want to learn how to code and I need help. Please!!
Hi, check out my tweet: twitter.com/lumarycodes/status/131...
Thank you so much.
Maybe try Javascript? (since it is everywhere) javascript.info/
Thank you so much. I appreciate.
I have two friends who started their IT career in their thirties. So whatever is possible if you have an intention 😉
Hi Aleksei, that's great and I agree! Where is a will there is a way 😊👍
Hi Anja!
I salute even though you are 32 years old, but you dare to get out of your comfort zone (quit your law job).
And you're right about "Nothing is too difficult to learn, only some things have a few more logical steps than others"
I hope you run happily, happy coding!
Hey, thanks a lot! 😊 🙌 Going out of your comfort zone is almost always worth it. 😊 All the best for you too! 🍀