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Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

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Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#81

Post by WheelsAtLarge »

smt88 wrote: post #2

You can, but it would require a lot of hard work at very low pay. My recommendation is to try to use your existing skillset for a tech company, and then try to transition internally. The right company may even provide free/before-tax tech education. Some points to consider: 1. Your age is a big disadvantage. Ageism is pervasive in tech, especially for entry-level coders. Someone your age who had started at 22 would l…

OP please take this advice under consideration. I see posts in HN over and over that express the idea that there is no ageism in tech because they see x number of techs that are over 50. Well, what they don't take into account is survivor bias. What they see are the exceptions not the large number of techs that had to move to other careers because they could not find a job in tech.

This post makes some very good points.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#82

Post by __d »

antihero wrote: post #34
klingon78 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Older devs even with many years experience have it harder. That’s my own experience.

Yeah I mean I plan to be consulting or a CTO or something by that age. Unless you are crazy specialist I think you need to branch out into strategy or have enough reputation and connetions to earn silly money freelancing.

It's not possible for every 25yo programmer working today to become a consultant or CTO by the time they're 40 (or in fact any age). There's just not that many CTO/consultant jobs!

Similarly, not everyone can become a project manager, product manager, head of engineering, or whatever.

So as you age, you can take one of those career changes, or just ... find a long-term niche and stick there or keep up with what's new, and sell your experience.

There is a world beyond single 25 year-olds working stupid hours in startups.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#83

Post by dpweb »

mattbrewsbytes wrote: post #38

Outside of cult-like SV, you'll be fine. There are tons of companies that need programmers to solve problems. If you have a base understanding already in a field, work towards programming things in that field. Having deep knowledge of a field can help you. You didn't give much info about your background. If you can use an existing job to start doing programming, do it. If you are an office worker and use Excel for ne…

Absolutely can be done. I think there’s a kind of brain well suited to it cause some people just seem to ‘get it’ and some don’t. Don’t worry about that tho I’ve worked with many people that don’t fully get it and remain employed. Worth trying if you feel it! Don’t let anyone make you believe you can’t do something if your heart is in it.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#85

Post by templarchamp »

Looks like you have decided to jump into programming as career. Upside is fun, if you like it. Downside depends on your nature. If you are quick to think and think outside thebox with logical bent of mind, I think you should be good. Programming is like digital plumbing- one may end up using 3/7 screw when 4/9 is more suitable but the world does not care as long as the product is sturdy. Word of caution - some fields like medical appliance programming etc could be risky with so much scrutiny. Just my 2cents.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#86

Post by mikebenfield »

trashface wrote: post #64

I'm 46 and basically retired now because I felt like my opportunities were drying up. You'll probably be able to get a job, but it will be at a second or third tier company that is questionably managed and considers you to be a cost center. So you'll have no political power and everyone breathing down your neck to get things done - while also having you sit in meetings half the time. You won't be able to work at a FA…

This seems like a pretty extreme point of view. Not that ageism doesn't exist... but I entered the tech industry at age 38 and have gotten offers from two FAANG companies. I do think I'm a good programmer (obviously if you suck you'll have trouble getting a FAANG offer) but not God's gift.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#87

Post by Fezzik »

I’ll add another ‘absolutely!’. The anecdote I love telling that is somewhat related: my grandfather started medical school at 38 in 1959 (and with 5 kids to boot). He went on to be chief resident at UW and a stellar Cardiothoracic surgeon. Times were certainly different then, but if he could do that I’m certain almost anyone could then and now. His background was being a farm boy from North Dakota and doing flight training for the military. Then he saw a career he wanted and went for it, starting very late in life relative to the norm.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#88

Post by david38 »

mattbrewsbytes wrote: post #38

Outside of cult-like SV, you'll be fine. There are tons of companies that need programmers to solve problems. If you have a base understanding already in a field, work towards programming things in that field. Having deep knowledge of a field can help you. You didn't give much info about your background. If you can use an existing job to start doing programming, do it. If you are an office worker and use Excel for ne…

What do you mean outside?

I live in SV and it’s absolutely possible here. I see it happen on the regular.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#89

Post by tuukkah »

webmaven wrote: post #77
tuukkah wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you give a concrete example of something that can only be learned as a child? Also, feral children may not be a relevant example as they have not undergone the full childhood development and in that sense they have a development disability as opposed to just having missed some typical learning. They cannot learn some typical human things and the rest of us cannot learn some typical unhuman things.

> Can you give a concrete example of something that can only be learned as a child? The canonical example is fluency in an unfamiliar (spoken) language. Most people lose the ability to internalize a new language to the point of being able to 'think in the language' as opposed to 'translating in your head' past their tweens, although the skill of deliberately acquiring new languages is itself learnable, and of course…

Yes, programming languages and programming are very limited when compared to natural languages and the range of typical verbal communication.

The fact that at least some older adults do internalise new languages and become undistinguishable from native speakers begs the question why everyone cannot. I'd say plausible explanations include adults being buzy or lazy with their lives, having a fixed mindset towards language learning, bad pedagogy etc. as alternatives to loss of the necessary plasticity. All these can apply to learning programming likewise.

Re: Ask HN: Can you switch to a programming career despite nearing 40?

#90

Post by mattbrewsbytes »

david38 wrote: post #88
mattbrewsbytes wrote: post #38

Outside of cult-like SV, you'll be fine. There are tons of companies that need programmers to solve problems. If you have a base understanding already in a field, work towards programming things in that field. Having deep knowledge of a field can help you. You didn't give much info about your background. If you can use an existing job to start doing programming, do it. If you are an office worker and use Excel for ne…

What do you mean outside? I live in SV and it’s absolutely possible here. I see it happen on the regular.

From what I hear and read there is a bit of ageism there. Good to hear it is possible there too.
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