Ask HN: Am I too old to start a programming career?

19 points by Colin_M 10 years ago | 20 comments

I first got into coding ~5 years ago. Taught myself a few languages, did some online contract work on the cheap. I decided to go back to school for a CS degree. By the time I graduate, I'll be in my early 30's.

I know that the CS field tends to skew young, especially for entry-level work. Am I likely to face significant barriers due to my age?

trcollinson 10 years ago |

Anecdotally, I hired one of the best engineers I have ever worked with when he was 31 and a junior in college. I hired him as an intern. Now, 5 years later, he's making well North of 6 figures.

By the way, as an intern he was still learning. I remember one day he was running the longest, worst, non-infinite loop I have ever seen. It ran for hours! He asked me what was wrong. That was his trick. He would ask good questions and he would remember what he learned and applied it later. That's why he's such a great engineer. He still learns to this day. So, do it! And keep on learning.

shoeless 10 years ago |

I received my CS degree in 1984. I started my first consulting business 12 years later at 35, and founded a startup last year with a co-founder.

You will experience ageism, so plan on cutting your own path in either consulting, freelance development, or founding your own company. Build your network - that is where you will expand your opportunities.

Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't have a productive software development career at any age.

ruraljuror 10 years ago |

Based on my personal experience, no you will not face barriers. As a self-taught web developer in my early 30s (now headed back to school), I was able to get a lot of interviews at small and large companies. There is a lot of demand for good software developers. I do not think age will enter into the equation at all.

Yes I'm sure there is age discrimination in the industry and you might have he misfortune of encountering it. But based on your other comment, you seem to have a determined attitude which is great. Now quit inventing problems for yourself that don't exist and go spend your time doing something more worthwhile.

max_ 10 years ago |

Here is what i can tell you. dont just be a "programmer" Choose one hard topic and master it.

I suggest stuff like Cryptography, Machine Learning, blockchain technologies, networking, low level hardware programming stuff. That is what i think guys in 30's should be good for, the hard things all the kids run away from.

Things like web development are nowadays too crowded with young talent that, even if you get employed. you will feel weird. around teens and young adults.

a-saleh 10 years ago |

My advice for you would probably be, to try to work/consult anywhere to get you the "at least 2 years experience in" your chosen specialization :-)

As far as I have seen, as long as the HR thinks you have been on somebody elses payroll because of your programming for some time, they will gladly hire you.

Or you might go the 'Double your consulting rates' way, often proselytized by patio11 in HN comments :)

lsiebert 10 years ago |

You could argue that most age discrimination is probably not at entry level positions, but more people wanting to pay rockstars in cans of rockstars not the wages that a great experienced engineer deserves.

dwhitworth1 10 years ago |

Switched careers and got my first gig as a junior developer at 41 years old. Now 43 years old and a 3/4 of the way through a CS degree as well, still working full time as a software developer (and loving it). Never too late.

jgelliott 10 years ago |

I don't think so - I went back to university to study Software Engineering when I was 34, graduated last year and walked in to a great job. I never felt like my age caused any barriers when applying for jobs, and actually was a great help as it made it easier to stand out from the crowd.

a3n 10 years ago |

I graduated college CS in 1988 at 30. I had no trouble finding work. But that was 1988, and I've never worked in SV. All the world is not SV.

arnold_palmur 10 years ago |

I'm curious, in regard to going back to school, are you pursuing a second (or first) Bachelors in CS or a Masters?

Colin_M 10 years ago | |

First; I never finished a degree after High School. I got married instead and left school for the world of blue collar employment, which worked well enough for me for a long time, but now I find myself craving a career where I'm intellectually challenged.

cylinder 10 years ago | | |

That's funny, I would trade my office job for the right blue collar job opportunity.

Colin_M 10 years ago | | |

I may continue on for my Master's after finishing my BS, haven't decided yet.

dotcoma 10 years ago |

I'm going to start a fitness career at age 43.

Just do it.

Colin_M 10 years ago | |

I'm going to do it no matter what, I'd just like to hear opinions on what I'm getting into, so I can plan for likely roadblocks.

_I- 10 years ago |

If that is bugging you, try choosing places where your managers will be older than you. problem solved.

seeing 10 years ago | |

Significant barriers due to age also include learning. When it comes to new technologies, do you think you'd learn the most in places where the manager is older than you?

Did you perhaps mean go to places where the manager is a good learner?

deeteecee 10 years ago |

nope, nowhere close to too old. if anything, there's not much to worry about considering you already taught yourself some basics.

zippy786 10 years ago |

Not at all. I know many in early 30 who are junior programmers.

wprapido 10 years ago |

outside of bay area bubble, your age doesn't really mater. so, yeah, go for it