Did I get a late start in programming? (age, not the historical time we're living in)

Posted by Acceptable_Job_2532@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 16 comments

I'll be 30 years old soon. I study teaching and have a degree in mathematics and I am a little before halfway through my degree. I started university later due to work, supporting my family and other responsibilities, so I was only recently able to dedicate myself fully.

Now I'm exploring programming. I want to advance with Python and SQL to see if I can find a space to apply my mathematical knowledge (in a few years I hope to have a much more solid foundation). Sometimes I feel like I started “late” in programming, and since I have no prior experience or formal studies in the area, I worry that it will be difficult for me to get into it.

What I need to know is if I'm still on time. AI doesn't intimidate me; I can work with her. What I am looking for is to understand how to move forward and how to build a foundation that supports my initiative. I'm interested in knowing which path is best for me to use enough mathematics and not feel like I'm learning tools like Git or Python libraries in vain, which were my next steps.

I'm in a hurry to get a job or some income (I want to rent alone again; I had to move back in with my parents), but I think I can take some time to educate myself and gain some solidity. Any form of encouragement, project ideas, suggestions on where to look, what communities to interact with, or a learning path is welcome, even if it's a harsh but sincere comment.

Thank you.

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ambiotic@reddit

I am 42 and I just started after 20 years as a support engineer. I get hit up by recruiters all the time (will take a really good opportunity for me to leave my current job). The big thing you need is to temper your expectations and start getting some experience in some form. For me working as Support Engineer was super helpful because I looked at broken code all day and saw common mistakes, also user pain points. There is also other common things like documentation, bug reports, ship schedules, cross team development, version control and just getting a grip on development priorities that I just had to live through to understand.

Just keep working and learning and age isn't a thing. They just want to hire people that can hit the ground running not some 20 year old wiz kid with no lived in experience. Good Luck!

Accidental_Cloud@reddit

Hey, how do you get hit up by recruiters often? Do you send out your resume everywhere?

LinkedIn, flag yourself as open to work.

Thank you!

AffectionateZebra760@reddit

Not too late, just start learning

Loud_Blackberry6278@reddit

No one is too old to start programming rather. I know people why started with simple python in their 80s, not for a job or anything but just because my parents want to be involved with something I enjoy

JustSomeCarioca@reddit

I'm 55 and just finished my first course in programming C#. My background is literary so you can imagine that this was quite a change of pace. The first half of the course was like pulling teeth, but I insisted and persisted. Then, it all sort of clicked, and the second half was pretty easy. I already have a more advanced course to do, via book, so that I can advance my learning. I practice with exercises in Exercism, which works for all languages by the way, and of course I have a long-term project, which was the entire reason I undertook this in the first place. I also ask AI for assignments appropriate to my level so that I can hone and practice my skills.

So no, you're not too old. And if you do any kind of research you'll find that there are people far older who have started programming and even published apps.

drucifer82@reddit

I didn’t start learning programming until I hit 42

nedal8@reddit

So much 42 in this thread lol.

I am 42, but started learning when I was 35.

IchLiebeKleber@reddit

it is the answer to life, the universe and everything after all

rustyseapants@reddit

No one can answer this question, give the limited information you offer.

You're 1/2 way through your degree in teaching or education?

You have a bachelor's' degree in mathematics?

You plan to quit college and start learning programming on your own?

If you have a job, what is it?

What was your goals for you teaching degree? Teaching in what?

What country are you from?

If your 30, your parents have to be 55 or 60?

Companies are going to hire younger people who compared to you will have over 6 - 8 years experience of programming.

Since you are already attending a university, you should use the resources that you pay for, and speak to a guidance counselor.

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silvieli@reddit

"age is just an int"
It doesn't matter how old you are when you learn new things.
Go for it, you can do it :)

ShineReaper@reddit

I'm above 30, I have no MINT university degree and I also started learning it. So you can too.