Not so long ago I was myself learning how to code from scratch. I remember browsing through the coding forums though the night and wondering about the job possibilities.
My first project was creating text based browser game where you could fight with other people online by choosing where to hit and what to defend, there were many upgrades for your character and so on. But that is not the story for today, my point is that I spent too much time for just searching around the internet where to start, how to learn to code.
Today it is much harder, yes there are more resources and more languages and videos and courses and tutorials and programming classes in your local area which promise that you will get the job if you will attend and behave well. Where should average Joe start? Just go through all of them? Average Joe will just try few low quality courses and leave, or spend monthly salary at local programming classes where teacher is a failed programmer which is unable to get a job. Then leave broke and with an unfulfilled dream.
Well I have noticed that when people ask me about how to start coding they usually asks the same questions, some of them ask the same questions within the interval of years.
Here are few of them with answers based on my opinion, let me know if you feel that I am totally wrong.
Am I too young/old to start? (or what if I am older than 30?)
This is actually one of the most popular questions (especially from people who are ~30 years old). There are different opinions but only few says that you are too old. It is the same as any other skill.
If you have a motivation to learn you can be successful in IT without doubts. Since it takes only a few years to become very good what is the difference? You can start at 40 and be very good middle level software developer for example after two years, still being better then many others.
Some problems may arise if you are really bad at math (logical thinking), then it may take some time more. But there are many directions in career path which you may take and still succeed!
If I am too old will I be able to learn properly?
First of all — there is no too old! Everything depends on your motivation — you can learn at any age and become the best. If you are 50 years old, it still gives you ~30 years of life or more. Spend few of them and you will catch up. Look at the speed how technologies are evolving even professionals sometimes give up on some things — take them and learn.
How long does it takes so that I can live from my salary?
From personal experience I would say one year but it can be more or less depending on your location, motivation, soft skills (how you can sell yourself) etc.
Please leave your thoughts in the comments.
More questions and answers are available on my cool website built for that purpose: howtostartcareerinit.com
Cover image: Photo by Kobu Agency on Unsplash
Top comments (7)
I think the too old/young thing is something people use to disqualify themselves right off the bat. I've seen 50+-year-olds that do very well at doing stuff with new technologies. But it is mostly personal desire and intrinsic motivation what will get people all the way through.
But theses 50 yo are starting at that age or already have an experience?
I'm 14 but my passion for programming started when I was 6! I yet have a long road to go and many things to learn. I hope that the flame that is my passion for it never ends!
8 years of experience at 14, it is impressive :O
If you need any advice on where to go next don't hesitate to ask.
I'm 30. Been trying since 2014 😂
I am glad to hear it :D And what were/are the difficulties? Do you still feel that you are missing something out?
How you decided to start it at that 'age'? :D Any programmer friends or something else?
I got into it through making sites and gifs for art. It was fun, kludging things. Trying to get to industry standard was and is still a huge challenge as I don't have a CS degree. And definitely, had a peer group who were artists and devs too.
I realize this is the only thing I like so I have no choice but to keep trying. lol