A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science • Hacker News Board

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#61

Post by reactordev » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 2:37 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #53

I wouldn't try to get into. I'm in my 30s and age discrimination is real. Nobody wants to hire a 30 something entry level engineer. They dont even want 30 something mid-level engineers. I know because I have a disability that seems to have capped me at these levels, I'm about to be fired, and the job prospects look abysmal.

The hard part is proving it. They’ll say it’s culture fit, or there’s a more qualified candidate. Being fired for any reason other than the real reason gives them indemnification should you say otherwise.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#62

Post by giantg2 » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 2:41 PM UTC

reactordev wrote: post #61

giantg2 wrote: post #53

I wouldn't try to get into. I'm in my 30s and age discrimination is real. Nobody wants to hire a 30 something entry level engineer. They dont even want 30 something mid-level engineers. I know because I have a disability that seems to have capped me at these levels, I'm about to be fired, and the job prospects look abysmal.

The hard part is proving it. They’ll say it’s culture fit, or there’s a more qualified candidate. Being fired for any reason other than the real reason gives them indemnification should you say otherwise.

Well, I have some stuff in writing that shows they violated the ADA at least twice. So a lawyer should be able to get a nice payout for me when they do fire me.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#63

Post by reactordev » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 2:49 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #62

reactordev wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The hard part is proving it. They’ll say it’s culture fit, or there’s a more qualified candidate. Being fired for any reason other than the real reason gives them indemnification should you say otherwise.

Well, I have some stuff in writing that shows they violated the ADA at least twice. So a lawyer should be able to get a nice payout for me when they do fire me.

Just don’t sign any closing paperwork that would sign your rights away.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#64

Post by jspash » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 2:54 PM UTC

reactordev wrote: post #60

I want to call out something here. I’m all for learning to code at any age but companies need to stop being ageist and discriminatory towards older coders and workers. I’ve started to see this myself. I’m certain it’s ageism. To the OP, if you’re passionate about it, don’t let anyone/thing stand in your way.

Ageism is as real as any other prejudice. And unfortunately it's just a difficult to prove. I've seen the faces of the room full of "kids" (yea, that's reverse ageism I suppose) when doing remote interviews and watched them drop as soon as I appear on the screen.

Then it's just a matter of speeding me through the interview until they can find the candidate with the "right team dynamic" or "culture fit" etc. The excuses I've heard are quite amusing, but transparent.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#65

Post by the_arun » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 2:57 PM UTC

fn-mote wrote: post #20

> My lovely wife ([…] who believes I have adult ADHD) is supportive of my journey, and has no qualms becoming the only breadwinner of the family. Some advice for the OP: 1. Don’t give up working. IMO, a job provides structure to the ADHD and keeps you moving forward instead of spinning your wheels. Change job? Sure. Work 25 hours/week? Sure. Not 0 though. 2. Before you start on the projects, spend some time learning…

In addition to this comment.

A good student finds teachers everywhere. The converse is true too. The drive & patience are the most important things.

Take one problem - solve it end to end by first principles. You’ll do great.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#66

Post by globnomulous » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 3:00 PM UTC

fn-mote wrote: post #20

> My lovely wife ([…] who believes I have adult ADHD) is supportive of my journey, and has no qualms becoming the only breadwinner of the family. Some advice for the OP: 1. Don’t give up working. IMO, a job provides structure to the ADHD and keeps you moving forward instead of spinning your wheels. Change job? Sure. Work 25 hours/week? Sure. Not 0 though. 2. Before you start on the projects, spend some time learning…

1. Agreed. There's strong evidence that most people who quit their jobs to pursue passion projects accomplish less than those who pursue them but keep their jobs.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#67

Post by bookofjoe » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 3:01 PM UTC

giantg2 wrote: post #62

reactordev wrote: post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The hard part is proving it. They’ll say it’s culture fit, or there’s a more qualified candidate. Being fired for any reason other than the real reason gives them indemnification should you say otherwise.

Well, I have some stuff in writing that shows they violated the ADA at least twice. So a lawyer should be able to get a nice payout for me when they do fire me.

"I have only been ruined but twice in my life — once, when I lost a lawsuit, and once when I won one." — Voltaire

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#68

Post by greengrass42 » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 3:08 PM UTC

chbkall wrote: post #44

notepad0x90 wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Solid advice. I would just add to write C. There is a thing about finding a problem that really annoys you that focuses and tunnelvision's you.

I tried learning C a while back. I would like to review it again and build / solve some problems using C.

Give Arduino a look. C plus hardware for about $60 for a good starter kit.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#69

Post by bitwize » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 3:12 PM UTC

I think this is becoming more common.

I started programming when I was five years old, so I kind of fit the "whiz kid" profile that everybody thought all programmers would be back in the 80s. But one of the things I've noticed, is that unlike the situation, say, in Boston, where it was easy to find other former "whiz kids", when I attend tech meetups near my current city what I find is that almost all of them started programming in mid-adulthood, say mid-thirties to forties. Many of them even went to the same boot camp. But the joy and wonder they experience mirrors what I experienced at age five, poking at my Crazy Eddie's-issued VIC-20. I am utterly delighted by this discovery, as it lends further credence to the idea in my head that programming is something deeply satisfying to the human soul.

Re: A 37-year-old wanting to learn computer science

#70

Post by greengrass42 » Sat, Jul 05, 2025, 3:13 PM UTC

reactordev wrote: post #60

I want to call out something here. I’m all for learning to code at any age but companies need to stop being ageist and discriminatory towards older coders and workers. I’ve started to see this myself. I’m certain it’s ageism. To the OP, if you’re passionate about it, don’t let anyone/thing stand in your way.

I was let go from a large multi-national in my mid-40's. Went contracting and worked every day I wanted to until I retired.