Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#1

Post by d33d33 » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:06 AM UTC

i studied literature and philosophy @ a german university. after my master, i joined an it-startup - and as so many of them, we failed (but i don't regret learning so much within that time). even though, i got some interviews within the last ~7 months, i still can't find an avg. job to be able to finance a small room + living expenses.

now, i'm 31. i did some cs certificates offered by edx/coursera within the last 12 months (MitX: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python, Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science; BerkelyX: Engineering Software as a Service; HarvardX: CS50...).

and i'm totally addicted to coding - even when i notice my lack of math skills. i spent the nights trying to understand cs concepts and couldn't sleep or stop before i found a solution (sometimes i did not sleep the whole day).

sorry for the long prologue, but i thinks it's important for my main question:

do you think, it makes sense to study computer science at the age of 31? or is it too late? do you have some experience with that? or do you work at a human resources department and can tell me if there is a chance for those kind of people?

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#2

Post by arisAlexis » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:24 AM UTC

I had worked as a programmer for 2 years in 2000 and then worked in a completely different job. At 32 I restarted my CS bachelor's which I just graduated. Last year I got hired in a not so demanding CS job. I also took the Java Programmers Certificate. I am 34. I think you should go for it if you like it. Get some experience now and then you could branch into CTO positions.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#3

Post by Xenmen » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:37 AM UTC

I think your drive to learn is what's really valuable (disclaimer, I'm 23). Looks to me like a lot of people give up on learning anything at some point, and just rot away.

The fact you're still learning something radically new for you at 31 means your soul hasn't been crushed. Stay that way!

I took a couple years not coding after a stress attack, and just recently I've been getting back into it. Entire days debugging, writing, learning; it's the biggest joy I have in life besides music and my two guinea pigs. It's also the most creative and powerful tool suite I have. Maybe it's like that for you too.

I had a dilemna in my late teens, I thought it was too late to learn to program. Most of the best people I know of started around age 11. I decided I would never become a programmer, I just couldn't compete. Then I went to university and by chance, took an intro course, had a good prof, and learned anyway. I still can't compete, I only got one short job as a programmer, but I'm a lot happier for understanding how the Internet works, and my computer, and cpu design, and... everything.

So, I don't know at all how your age will affect getting hired. Maybe just don't mention how recently you learned to program :]

Regardless, I'll bet your life is more worth living for having learned more computer science, so at least for that, keep it up.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#4

Post by bulte-rs » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:39 AM UTC

Personally I don't look at age when considering applicants...

Ok, not true. At this moment the company I work for employs mostly young people; i.e. twentysomethings and an oddball 30-35'er. I would actually prefer to hire a 30-40 y/o at this moment; even when lacking a bit of professional/coding experience.

In my opinion: Don't let the big junior-level hiring pool full of 20-30'ers discourage you.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#5

Post by engassa » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:42 AM UTC

Its never too late. Its like picking up painting or writing literature or any other artistic avenue. In some cases the restrictions like languages are like the limitations of a canvas. You will encounter, a number of times, code that will be beautiful enough to be framed up.

Keep at it! And, welcome to the community!

"What hackers and painters have in common is that they're both makers. Along with composers, architects, and writers, what hackers and painters are trying to do is make good things. They're not doing research per se, though if in the course of trying to make good things they discover some new technique, so much the better." - http://www.paulgraham.com/hp.html

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#6

Post by BuckRogers » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:47 AM UTC

Gee, I hope it's not too late. I'm 32 and been doing this as a hobbyist for a few years now and plan to do it for a job at some point. Since when was 31 old?? What the hell.

All I can say about this is that I'd be doing this no matter my age. I love it and I'll continue to do it without ever doing it as a career. Screw what everyone else thinks, be a man. You should take the same attitude. I decided at a certain point, I'll just do it on my own for my own clients if I have to. Make your own job. But knock off this 'am I too old', you're just out of diapers bubba.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#7

Post by DanBC » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:47 AM UTC

Are you askin whether it is better for you to get a CS qualification, or whether you should get experience? (For example, by contributing to open source projects)?

Real work with real people should be useful. You get to demonstrate ability to collaborate, sometimes with difficult people.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#8

Post by sbarg » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:49 AM UTC

It's never too late. You have shown you possess the desire and drive to learn. I think a good next step is to write some code and put it up on GitHub where prospective employers can see that you have written something. Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#9

Post by smegel » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:50 AM UTC

Try and become a DBA. They are kind of expected to be old (as in 40+) and can rake in the $$$. Although the kind of "coding" you will do will be limited to scripting, SQL, and maybe some ORASQL/APEX.

Re: Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?

#10

Post by arsalanb » Mon, Jul 07, 2014, 8:56 AM UTC

bulte-rs wrote: post #4

Personally I don't look at age when considering applicants... Ok, not true. At this moment the company I work for employs mostly young people; i.e. twentysomethings and an oddball 30-35'er. I would actually prefer to hire a 30-40 y/o at this moment; even when lacking a bit of professional/coding experience. In my opinion: Don't let the big junior-level hiring pool full of 20-30'ers discourage you.

Why, though?

I've heard many canned responses to this, mostly about youngsters having more energy and in some way that extrapolates to having more "potential" or being better for a company. But my question here is, really?

How can age alone tell you about how well a person is going to perform or how valuable of an asset he can be to a company? After some thought, I agree it is one factor, but I still maintain doesn't entirely make a case for or against anyone. In fact, I feel it's kind of unfair to those over who are "less" preferred in startup jobs. If a person is willing to learn, has talent, and is passionate — heck, give him a shot.

I'm not accusing you of doing so, just pointing out a trend. And BTW, I'm 18 years old.

You obviously have more experience in hiring (maybe even firing) people, so could you tell me if I'm right here?