How I learned to code in my 30s
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How I learned to code in my 30s
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Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#2Somewhat related, perhaps the most spectacular story of a late coder I've ever heard is that of https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Pruteanu (somewhat controversial Romanian literary critic and politician).
Basically, despite having a major in Romanian literature and spending a lifetime as a literary critic, with almost 0 contact with computers, he decided in his late 40s and early 50s to understand the things behind the internet.
So he picked up on his own: PC usage, internet browsing, PHP and MySQL coding, enough to make his own website and a few apps. That, starting from a point where he could barely use a mouse.
When asked during a TV show how he did it, he replied:
Like I did things for my literary criticism: I read an 1 meter [high stack] of books about the subject.
Every time I need motivation I think about that quote :)
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#3This is great advice for someone learning to break into the coding world.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#4What i always tell people if you find yourself naturally drawn to it then you will eventually find some level of success. If your in for just the money then you will not stick with it and it probably won't happen.
Same is true for just about most things in life.
This guy found he was naturally drawn to it. End of story.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#5This is generally a decent article about the balancing non-technical skills, and exerting effort in learning.
I found it noteworthy that the "hook" in the title is that the person started in (gasp) their 30s. Why should that be noteworthy? Why wouldn't someone start coding in their 30s, 40s or 50s?
Now it is true that starting a new profession late in life may not always make sense because, presumably, you have to little time left you might as well "ride it out" contributing what you know.
So, yes, it is unusual for a doctor to start learning mathematics in their 40s (though not unheard of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endre_Szemer%C3%A9di), but it isn't less strange to make such a change in computer science than any other field.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#6This is generally a decent article about the balancing non-technical skills, and exerting effort in learning. I found it noteworthy that the "hook" in the title is that the person started in (gasp) their 30s. Why should that be noteworthy? Why wouldn't someone start coding in their 30s, 40s or 50s? Now it is true that starting a new profession late in life may not always make sense because, presumably, you have to li…
I agree about the age reference, it's irrelevant. If grandma wants to learn javascript then so be it, challenge the brain and code away. I don't find his story that uplifting or even worthy of a challenge that any other 30 year couldn't do.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#7What i always tell people if you find yourself naturally drawn to it then you will eventually find some level of success. If your in for just the money then you will not stick with it and it probably won't happen. Same is true for just about most things in life. This guy found he was naturally drawn to it. End of story.
In a sense, you just described the beginning of a passion.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#8This is generally a decent article about the balancing non-technical skills, and exerting effort in learning. I found it noteworthy that the "hook" in the title is that the person started in (gasp) their 30s. Why should that be noteworthy? Why wouldn't someone start coding in their 30s, 40s or 50s? Now it is true that starting a new profession late in life may not always make sense because, presumably, you have to li…
> Why should that be noteworthy?
Because there's perceived ageism in this industry, so saying you're just getting started in your 30's is interesting.
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#9This is generally a decent article about the balancing non-technical skills, and exerting effort in learning. I found it noteworthy that the "hook" in the title is that the person started in (gasp) their 30s. Why should that be noteworthy? Why wouldn't someone start coding in their 30s, 40s or 50s? Now it is true that starting a new profession late in life may not always make sense because, presumably, you have to li…
> Why should that be noteworthy? Because there's perceived ageism in this industry, so saying you're just getting started in your 30's is interesting.
Isn't the same ageism -- true or perceived -- in all industries?
Would you be feel comfortable starting med-school in your 30s? A PhD? Training to be a plumber or an architect?
If anything, because programming takes a shorter time to become productive (say 2 years), I would think it would attract older job switchers.
(edit: Before people give me counter-examples, note:I know these things do happen)
Re: How I learned to code in my 30s
#10This is generally a decent article about the balancing non-technical skills, and exerting effort in learning. I found it noteworthy that the "hook" in the title is that the person started in (gasp) their 30s. Why should that be noteworthy? Why wouldn't someone start coding in their 30s, 40s or 50s? Now it is true that starting a new profession late in life may not always make sense because, presumably, you have to li…
I found the article very interesting, and I thought the hook was valid - coding is one of these disciplines where the general consensus is that you need to start very young to be good, similar to Olympic athletes. I wrote my first trivial but working program aged 5 so I believe this to be true to some extent; reading an experience that contradicts this was valuable to me.
I also liked the article for a different reason; I don't aspire to be an Olympic athlete but I do want to become good at certain skillsets that I've only started exploring after my 30s, so I'm definitely hoping the author's experience generalises, and rooting for him :)