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

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

#1
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?

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

#5
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.

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

#8
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.

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