I have been doing the self-taught web developer thing for about 6 months already but at my age, I'm sure my only path is free lance which is what i expect. Oh, my age is 75. At present my HTML and CSS are advanced but still a work in progress. My initial goal is a year or so to be an expert level with HTML, CSS and JS. if it takes longer, that's okay.
Just turned 50 two months ago. Female. Will be graduating with my BS in Computer Science next year. My memory and ability to learn concepts are stronger now and still keeping pace. What changed was my attitude and adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is possible!
Isaac, it is an awful prejudice to think that young people are more energetic, faster learners, etcetera. You'd think that, at this point, people wouldn't have those misconceptions but, apparently, it is the same as always, or even worse.
I am 66. I am learning Python as applied to data science and data science. I have already learned SQL, including Relational database design. I don't want a job, I really do not need the money. But: 1 I want to train my brain with something more interesting than Sudokus. 2 I want to do my own research on existing raw data in the public domain. Why? Because I am sick of governments and corporations lying to me with their statistics. Best example: Covid 19. I have already done my research here, with interesting results.
I completely agree and identify with why you are learning to code. At 51 I quit my manufacturing engineering job last year because I hated it. I had $ to take a year off thinking I could learn what I needed to become a data scientist/engineer. I'm now having serious doubts anyone would hire me given my age and lack of knowledge/experience. I think I will look further into learning what I need to do freelance work instead. But I will continue to learn Python/ML in order to use data to question/check public policy. Good to know there are similar folks out there. Best to you.
I'm 48 and I started to learn code two years ago. I don't buy the "your too old to learn to code nonsense". Being older has it's advantages, and it's a true shame that there are so many people that discriminate against age...
Good for you! I'm 53 and I'm not buying into it either. I can work indefinitely, and after taking the time to acquire a new skill, that's exactly what I intend to do. Good luck to you!!
I used to think coding was boring until I started doing it on my free time and realized how interesting and intricate it can be.The more you do it the more you like it.
i am femail and have systems engineering background. learned coding at 52. Now I am a senior developer on my team. I can train and mentor younger workers. You can do it too!
I am 50. I have worked with, installed and handled multi million dollar telecom contracts. The company I worked for did a lot installs in big hospitals. I did a lot of work on these jobs, then I got into multimedia and A/V. That was very technical. Lost the job due to injury and some life issues. Now I am looking at returning to school. I have some college courses basically the stuff one takes for compliance. I am torn between integrative health and learning to code, or get back into technology. This video was a good and realistic expression thank you.
Much harder the older you are? No not really. It depends on the person. In fact I think I pick up new concepts much easier than when I was in my 20s just due to my experience. I am over 50 and in the past 6 months I have learned CSS, HTML, Javascript, React, and Redux. I am already creating new websites that only do front end. Currently I am learning Typescript as well as backend tech and am well on my way to creating full stack apps. Granted I have two STEM degrees so I am geared for this sort of thing. But to say you cannot do this over 50 is just bollocks. In fact I would say with my diverse experience, which comes with age, I find it easier, NOT harder to pick up new concepts. It just depends upon the person.
Man. At 50 you won't get the "time" to adquire all those years of so many languages experience. But listen, choose a language, become a totally expert... and I asure you will find your place. At 50 you can't afford domine all the bussiness, but become a real expert in just a single dev language and you get in.
Agree with this approach. Focus is the key. Remember life experience counts. Focus on your analytical skills. The actual coding is on a fraction of the job.
How many years, of learning many languages, does one need to be successful? A LOT. How many years to master a few and be extremely successful? Not many.
I think Jack of all trades master of none is not a good approach in this case. after you become a total expert at just one, you can consider adding more at that time.
First, thank you Travis for the video. Had not come across this level of honesty and it's making me think.....a LOT. What I think we (we being those of us over....35ish I guess) need to see is a video that doesn't have the 'can you do this over the age of __?' in the title but a few with titles saying 'I DID get a job as a web developer, software developer etc and I'm 35, 40, 50 or whatever'. Maybe this already exists and if it already does, please feel free to provide that link. Maybe I should be the one to make this happen......I'm going to try. I believe it would be incredibly motivating to see a video with no speculation as to whether or not this can be accomplished but rather, confirmation that this IS possible by accomplishment. Thank you for this thought provoking video Travis! I'd like to add I think all of the 'can we do it?' videos are very helpful and I am in no way putting those down at all. I've watched many of them myself and they have all had some value in their own ways.
im 60 and have been learning python for 2yrs now. just recently started codecademy a month ago. im half way threw the python course. theres still a bunch of stuff to learn on the codecademy course. ive made python programs at work to make my job easier. im a electronics tech . knowing how to code has helped. freelancing sounds like a good avenue. to pursue. freelancing in your profession might work even better . so if your a doctor. your a doctor that can code.
Unless one wishes to engage in some form of activism, freelancing does seem the most practical path for someone over 50 (or 35). Discrimination based on age is still acceptable in this culture, so much so that people often believe that a person at 50 is automatically duller, less mentally fresh (whatever that means) than someone 25. (Actually, when it comes to creativity, older is better, generally, despite the myths.) The very smart 50-year-old is still much faster, sharper, more energetic than the average to bright 25-year-old. The generalization that older people are slower (slower than whom?), less energetic, etc., is the same kind of generalization (received "wisdom") with regard to race and sex/gender. It's bigotry--judging a person's overall qualities based on a single aspect. Thus age, race, and sex/gender can determine your "cultural fit". Let's face it, we like being around people like us, to hang out and get drunk with, we like to extend the comfortable parts of our social and family lives into the workplace. That's how it is now, but this luxury, too, shall pass. Economics will take over. Until then, find freelance work, exercise, and don't eat too much.
Good points Todd! I don't think it's discrimination based on age when it comes to knowledge of a particular skill. The 50-year-old with 10 years of coding experience is a real gem and will be of much more value than any 25-year-old will be. But a 50-year-old with no knowledge of programming, just getting into the field and trying to land that first job with a small skillset compared to someone 30 doing the same thing, I think most companies would take a chance on the 30-year-old whether it's wrong or right. And company culture is a huge thing today and IMO probably a good thing as you do want people to gel and get behind the same mission, but I agree with you in that age shouldn't be a factor in company culture. Vibrance and character are traits that span all ages and many companies full of 20-somethings would do really well surrounded by older men and women on a daily basis.
Travis thank you for the honest content. Freelancing is always better no matter how old you are. That is true it will be harder the older you get, that is with most situations in life. But, yes you can learn and get that job. There are a lot of variables in play. It also depends on the market of where you live. Everyone is different. One thing that we all have in common at the end of all this, is it takes hard work, and diligence.
Best advice.....take all of your collective work experience and pour it into data analysis.....learn Python, Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, SQL (preferably SQL Server or Oracle DB) and get really good at ETL and the basics of being a DBA......An older professional, even at 30 years, will be expected to hit the ground running
40 learning to code and CS student. Thanks for real words I think also there a lot of lateral shifts that people can do having that life experience. I worked in non profits for years and learning CS and imputing that into an industry I have experience in is I think can be a less complicated move than "I am going to learn to CS and then apply for that JD job at google." So don't forget the lateral shifts if you are older, my thoughts. thanks for the great content
Thanks Travis, I learnt something very important to day. I have indeed 49 years old and taking Computer Science at University to have my own Company, so your advices made me more confortable.
Me too 49 years old. Started a year back with html, css , javascript.. now bootstrap, react is, php, python.. trying my luck through freelance websites... I am 100% confident I will make it... I have a full time General Manager's role too...
As a person that is over 50 and went back to school to learn how to become a web developer, I can tell you first hand what @TravisMedia talks about is correct. Out of 5 face to face interviews I had 2 flat out said I was much older than what they normally interview and then proceeded to ask interview questions and not pay attention to my answers. The other three looked at my hair and then my resume again and said I don't think you would be a good fit for this position, you'll be working with younger people and a different company culture than what you normally are used to. So it is a rough road if you are over 50 and looking for a web developer job. Travis any tips for getting out of JavaScript tutorial hell?
Same with me. I've started work, and the first day of the job someone said you shouldn't hire someone older then their thirties. Now I am in my 50s, and I've had people tell me they want someone younger. Happens all the time. Lots of agism in this field.
It is a new type of discrimination that is just as bad as the ones based on sex, sexuality, or race. The current generation of 20 to 30 is incredibly racist when it comes to age, and not for a very good reason since the current 50s generation grew up with computers and coding if they wanted to. It's just another form of racism
@@DeadlyRevenged Of course you can, but there are many companies, especially startups that don't like people with wrinkles or white hair. They want smooth skin and young looks.
52. Spent 20 years in QA but never wrote code myself. Lost a job in reorg where I was moved into dev org and manager expected the same level as a developer with 20 years of experience. When I left lot of my colleagues gave me this pep talk about sure you can switch to development. I'm going though some code school classes and it really tough. Affects fam too. So if job search is going to be even tougher than class... oh well..
im 60 and have been learning python for 2yrs now. just recently started codecademy a month ago. im half way threw the python course. theres still a bunch of stuff to learn on the codecademy course. ive made python programs at work to make my job easier. im a electronics tech . so if your a doctor. your a doctor that can code.
I'm gonna call rubbish on this one. If companies were smart, they'd pick the 35+ crowd as Jr's as people tend to be a lot more stable in their lives at that point. That or they'd likely be a lot more committed than some 20 year old. If a job is only hiring 20-somethings, run. What they want is a cog in their machine that is committed 24/7 and has no life outside of that job. THey're gonna pay crap or the cost of living will be too high for anyone but singles. In the long run, the turnover will still be higher as devs move on from their jobs for raises and whatnot. Plus, if the working crowd at your company is in their 20's and you're 35+, you don't want that drama....if your local supermarket can hire a 50 year old to push carts, there's nothing saying a big tech company won't...maybe look for the ones that are tired of the 20something drama...the rest won't last....
You hit the nail in the head. I agree totally with you. Maybe because I just turned 50, I used to teach high school programming years ago and now I want to go back into the programming field.(or developer like they say). I just need to refresh what I knew back then. But my life is stable and my mind is still well greased. Just because I'm 50, doesn't mean I have to retire and just sit in my front porch yelling at kids to get off my yard.
I know someone who started learning when they were 65. They're now 71 still building stuff lol. You can do anything in life at any age as long as you're physically capable.
I'm 37 and age is my reason for checking out opinions about possibiilities of landing a job as a web developer. I kind of regret not pursuing a career in this field when I was younger, I have a computer science degree but didn't have the interest in pursuing it when I graduated in college. I got contented with a job that paid handsomely but was way too far from what I finished in college. Now, I've been trying to update myself and to be honest, though I'm not a stranger to programming, I find it very intimidating now that I've got younger people to compete with. Well, I guess the good thing is, I could still do some other stuff like freelancing or maybe setup my own website and come up with products. Good luck to all of us.
You need about 3 years to become a licensed plumber, then you hire a helper and start making money hand over fist. Nobody cares about age. The Ultimate Guide to State Plumbing License Requirements - PHCEid
Suggesting that people over 50 are slower in the brain is the dumbest thing I have heard. If you can't learn programming at 50, then you probably would of did just as bad at learning to code when you was 20. I am now 54, and I was programming computers in 1984 before most cocky young guys was even born. I can spin circles around them. It has nothing to do with your age.
You can spin circles around the new guys because you have 40 years of experience. Try learning completley new and foreing at 54 and get back to us with your thesis.
I'm 50 and looking to start code. Freelancing is what i want to do so i was relieved when you went on to say that as an option (gonna be checking out your video links too, ty)
WOW - @2:00 Can we say preconceived notions.. So because I m 50 you automatically assume I will have less energy and a slow mind?? Ageism is soo ingrained in our society. They won't hire because they ASSUME your age will impact your skill. If this is HRs mindset, be assure that company would more than likely end up being a hostile work environment and you really would not want to work there anyway.
49 here with almost 30 in IT namely software development. with time one is promoted to team leader, project manager and moving in to managerial positions. One day someone decides you to old to be in the Tech industry and one founds reinventing himself... I am now in the path of freelancing doing some project management and trying to get some software development projects.
@@Andrew-q2m , unfortunately when you reach the 40's you start to be considered old for the job... now I make my living on MLM and if I knew this on my 20's I was a millionaire on 30!
I would have thought the one benefit of learning to code was that you could do it online and not interface with anyone...surely there is enough work online
Im 34 yrs man live in vietnam.I have learn python and django framework for two years. But in vietnam almost 99.99% of tech companies they don't use django for work. Is django going to obsolete?
I'm 55 and am following the Travis Media Python and AWS Blueprint. I know this is a generalisation but AWS seems more applicable to working as an employee for a company whilst Python may provide more freelance opportunities. So, is it worth training in AWS given that realistically my main work opportunities will come from freelance work? What about subcontracting (AWS and/or Python) is that a possible option? The subcontracting opportunities I've seen are all for very highly experienced folk not somebody just starting out like me?
I think that it depends on what you learn. I knew this old guy (who I think was approaching 60) who was hired by Accenture recently. But then again, he had several years of Salesforce experience. I think that things like architects would be open to "older" people (since it is experience that would make an architect good in the first place).
I am now 48 years old. I want to learn coding, but I don't intend to become a full-time programmer or shift careers to this field. I just want to learn how to write code in Python to create a model for an AI image generator. Is it still possible for me to learn Python at my age? The only coding language I know is basic HTML.
This is great advice, and freelancing is a good option at 50+ since the current generation of the 20s and 30s and very narcissistic and racist when it comes to age and 'fitting their workplace culture'. Basically, they want an office filled with people with no wrinkles on their faces. Smooth skin is an essential attribute needed to be accepted by those people, and it has never been as bad as today.
Smooth skin and no experience to put up a hand and say 'I want more money for this.' Being young is one thing, but being young and inexperienced with how tech companies work is quite another.
You have a point out there however I think that it is something that can make a difference. If someone in that age learns a rare coding skill or looks for coding applications that are in demand may be he she has a better chance.
What about 40? I just turned 40 and want to. Could someone in their early 40s (40-44) get a job in web development. Would it be just as hard as it would be for a 50-year-old?
For a software company, hiring kids is probably more attractive because they can be managed like a herd and are more malleable. But for companies where development is done by a small team to support the primary business, experience and reliability does count a lot, and the average age will probably be higher, so it is easier to fit in, if you are a "grown-up".
May I ask even you learned some code. It is important to consider that would you be hired by some company to get a stable career path or income? Or the scope of the coding is extremely wide and difficult so it takes unbearable efforts to learn in a continuous way?
Travis says, if you are 50 y.o., you get 15 years to retirement. Me 🤔, thinking about my aunt, who is 78 and still working and loving it, and not even thinking about retirement .
Hi Travis thank you for the honest content. I am 45 years old. I live in Iran and i am 17 years developer. Freelancing is always better no matter how old you are ,but For me is very difficult ,because I live in Iran.What can I do?
Build a public portfolio , work in open source, try networking online to connect people around the world, try offering your services on platforms like upwork and fiver. All the best
I am at 40 and self taught and have full knowledge of sql, basic of java , spring frame work ,linux and the basic knowledge in html, css and JS and still learning but no coding experience but I want to get the job in developing either front end or backend.So how it is possible and what the beast way to go ? Can you give me the idea and the link of resources that of freelancing
Hello Travis!Great channel!So im 39 and i feel stuck and watn to try change career to a new job.Do you think is it possible to learn code and work on this and what language do y ou suggest?
Hey man, i'll be 34 this year and i was planning to freelance especially with chatGPT making it easier to learn how to code. What would be a good coding language to start on? If anyone is interested doing business in the Philippines, just reply here. I hope we can work something up.
I wonder if being a woman on top of being in your late 40s will be an additional obstacle? I have never found any older ladies on RUclips starting a second career in programming/development like I'd like to do
I am not sure how age will impact you....but I know the fact that STEM is male dominated means that many companies are aggressively looking to get more women involved.
Hey Roberto, I did. One sustainable strategy I had was to make connections with agencies and take on overflow work, which kept regular work coming my way. Also, from my own clients.
Retire?...people still do that? Hey, great hard look at reality. Thx. I'm 48 thinking about changing careers into development and had same thoughts about the younger person-laden career. Maybe real estate instead.
You may not be too old to learn to code...but can you take the stress of being a working software developer? It's easy to write a bubble sort on your weekend off. Try fixing someone else's poorly written broken code by tomorrow morning. Not 20 lines of code, 10000 lines of code. how about you do that then someone else rewrites your code because it's sh1t, yes you solved the problem but this guy is further up the ladder and takes your understanding and rewrites you code, fixing some minor issue you had ... and takes all the credit. Enjoy.
Gosh, you make it sound like work.....I guess the software industry is they only one in which unreasonable demands can be made and you can be treated like crap.
@@leagueofotters2774 Yes you're right, this is "work". But im trying to give a realistic picture. TBH when you consider what you have to do, and the stress ... programming jobs are not worth the money unless you love it. And even if you do love it, you will get poisoned because the nature of software dev is against the very personality attributes that make a good dev.
I have been doing the self-taught web developer thing for about 6 months already but at my age, I'm sure my only path is free lance which is what i expect. Oh, my age is 75. At present my HTML and CSS are advanced but still a work in progress. My initial goal is a year or so to be an expert level with HTML, CSS and JS. if it takes longer, that's okay.
That’s inspiring Phillip, thanks for sharing. Wish you the best in your learning.
U r an inspiration. Im 37 and asking myself. Am i too old? But u're 75 and doing it.
Amazing
Awesome. May i ask is there anything specifically you want to achieve via coding?
Best wishes and good luck to you.
Legend!
Just turned 50 two months ago. Female. Will be graduating with my BS in Computer Science next year. My memory and ability to learn concepts are stronger now and still keeping pace. What changed was my attitude and adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is possible!
Isaac, it is an awful prejudice to think that young people are more energetic, faster learners, etcetera.
You'd think that, at this point, people wouldn't have those misconceptions but, apparently, it is the same as always, or even worse.
is skipping coffee one of your healthy lifestyle decision? Just wondering for myself.
Congratulations🎉 I am 53 years old female, 2 months before finishing my secretarian diploma. I plan to be freelancer, my own boss!
how do you remember the basic coding syntax? any tips?
I am 66. I am learning Python as applied to data science and data science.
I have already learned SQL, including Relational database design.
I don't want a job, I really do not need the money.
But:
1 I want to train my brain with something more interesting than Sudokus.
2 I want to do my own research on existing raw data in the public domain.
Why?
Because I am sick of governments and corporations lying to me with their statistics.
Best example: Covid 19.
I have already done my research here, with interesting results.
I completely agree and identify with why you are learning to code. At 51 I quit my manufacturing engineering job last year because I hated it. I had $ to take a year off thinking I could learn what I needed to become a data scientist/engineer. I'm now having serious doubts anyone would hire me given my age and lack of knowledge/experience. I think I will look further into learning what I need to do freelance work instead. But I will continue to learn Python/ML in order to use data to question/check public policy. Good to know there are similar folks out there. Best to you.
وانا كذلك
@@joehunter6828 how's is going Joe? How a re feeling about future prospects?
Coding is like a passion, it's not like professional sport where at some age you you can't be that athletic. If you love to code than there is no age.
Thats great im 30 just starting
@@jaysfinaltake Yes there is no age for coding but there is a age limit to get a job, that why freelancer is the best way to get in
I'm getting close to 60, and I have no plans of retiring. I'm not buying that I can't do and learn and work because of my age.
I'm 48 and I started to learn code two years ago. I don't buy the "your too old to learn to code nonsense". Being older has it's advantages, and it's a true shame that there are so many people that discriminate against age...
Good for you! I'm 53 and I'm not buying into it either. I can work indefinitely, and after taking the time to acquire a new skill, that's exactly what I intend to do. Good luck to you!!
@@matekimagick Thanks, Good luck to you too.
I'm getting on for 60 and trying to learn python. It's a bit difficult, but I like it as a hobby sort of thing.
I used to think coding was boring until I started doing it on my free time and realized how interesting and intricate it can be.The more you do it the more you like it.
Try learning at 65. I am now employed as a contracting and coding my ass off. Wahoo.
I am 63 and started to.code 8 month ago!
i am femail and have systems engineering background. learned coding at 52. Now I am a senior developer on my team. I can train and mentor younger workers. You can do it too!
I am 50. I have worked with, installed and handled multi million dollar telecom contracts. The company I worked for did a lot installs in big hospitals. I did a lot of work on these jobs, then I got into multimedia and A/V. That was very technical.
Lost the job due to injury and some life issues. Now I am looking at returning to school. I have some college courses basically the stuff one takes for compliance. I am torn between integrative health and learning to code, or get back into technology. This video was a good and realistic expression thank you.
Much harder the older you are? No not really. It depends on the person. In fact I think I pick up new concepts much easier than when I was in my 20s just due to my experience. I am over 50 and in the past 6 months I have learned CSS, HTML, Javascript, React, and Redux. I am already creating new websites that only do front end. Currently I am learning Typescript as well as backend tech and am well on my way to creating full stack apps. Granted I have two STEM degrees so I am geared for this sort of thing. But to say you cannot do this over 50 is just bollocks. In fact I would say with my diverse experience, which comes with age, I find it easier, NOT harder to pick up new concepts. It just depends upon the person.
and u are hired?
This is the pep talk that i needed right now
Man. At 50 you won't get the "time" to adquire all those years of so many languages experience. But listen, choose a language, become a totally expert... and I asure you will find your place. At 50 you can't afford domine all the bussiness, but become a real expert in just a single dev language and you get in.
Agree with this approach. Focus is the key. Remember life experience counts. Focus on your analytical skills. The actual coding is on a fraction of the job.
Is COBOL legacy code still maintained?
How many years, of learning many languages, does one need to be successful? A LOT. How many years to master a few and be extremely successful? Not many.
I think Jack of all trades master of none is not a good approach in this case. after you become a total expert at just one, you can consider adding more at that time.
Good advice
First, thank you Travis for the video. Had not come across this level of honesty and it's making me think.....a LOT. What I think we (we being those of us over....35ish I guess) need to see is a video that doesn't have the 'can you do this over the age of __?' in the title but a few with titles saying 'I DID get a job as a web developer, software developer etc and I'm 35, 40, 50 or whatever'. Maybe this already exists and if it already does, please feel free to provide that link. Maybe I should be the one to make this happen......I'm going to try. I believe it would be incredibly motivating to see a video with no speculation as to whether or not this can be accomplished but rather, confirmation that this IS possible by accomplishment. Thank you for this thought provoking video Travis! I'd like to add I think all of the 'can we do it?' videos are very helpful and I am in no way putting those down at all. I've watched many of them myself and they have all had some value in their own ways.
im 60 and have been learning python for 2yrs now. just recently started codecademy a month ago. im half way threw the python course. theres still a bunch of stuff to learn on the codecademy course. ive made python programs at work to make my job easier. im a electronics tech . knowing how to code has helped. freelancing sounds like a good avenue. to pursue. freelancing in your profession might work even better . so if your a doctor. your a doctor that can code.
Unless one wishes to engage in some form of activism, freelancing does seem the most practical path for someone over 50 (or 35). Discrimination based on age is still acceptable in this culture, so much so that people often believe that a person at 50 is automatically duller, less mentally fresh (whatever that means) than someone 25. (Actually, when it comes to creativity, older is better, generally, despite the myths.) The very smart 50-year-old is still much faster, sharper, more energetic than the average to bright 25-year-old. The generalization that older people are slower (slower than whom?), less energetic, etc., is the same kind of generalization (received "wisdom") with regard to race and sex/gender. It's bigotry--judging a person's overall qualities based on a single aspect. Thus age, race, and sex/gender can determine your "cultural fit". Let's face it, we like being around people like us, to hang out and get drunk with, we like to extend the comfortable parts of our social and family lives into the workplace. That's how it is now, but this luxury, too, shall pass. Economics will take over. Until then, find freelance work, exercise, and don't eat too much.
Good points Todd! I don't think it's discrimination based on age when it comes to knowledge of a particular skill. The 50-year-old with 10 years of coding experience is a real gem and will be of much more value than any 25-year-old will be. But a 50-year-old with no knowledge of programming, just getting into the field and trying to land that first job with a small skillset compared to someone 30 doing the same thing, I think most companies would take a chance on the 30-year-old whether it's wrong or right. And company culture is a huge thing today and IMO probably a good thing as you do want people to gel and get behind the same mission, but I agree with you in that age shouldn't be a factor in company culture. Vibrance and character are traits that span all ages and many companies full of 20-somethings would do really well surrounded by older men and women on a daily basis.
Great video
Travis thank you for the honest content. Freelancing is always better no matter how old you are. That is true it will be harder the older you get, that is with most situations in life. But, yes you can learn and get that job. There are a lot of variables in play. It also depends on the market of where you live. Everyone is different. One thing that we all have in common at the end of all this, is it takes hard work, and diligence.
Best advice.....take all of your collective work experience and pour it into data analysis.....learn Python, Excel, PowerBI, Tableau, SQL (preferably SQL Server or Oracle DB) and get really good at ETL and the basics of being a DBA......An older professional, even at 30 years, will be expected to hit the ground running
40 learning to code and CS student. Thanks for real words I think also there a lot of lateral shifts that people can do having that life experience. I worked in non profits for years and learning CS and imputing that into an industry I have experience in is I think can be a less complicated move than "I am going to learn to CS and then apply for that JD job at google." So don't forget the lateral shifts if you are older, my thoughts. thanks for the great content
Thanks Travis, I learnt something very important to day. I have indeed 49 years old and taking Computer Science at University to have my own Company, so your advices made me more confortable.
Me too 49 years old. Started a year back with html, css , javascript.. now bootstrap, react is, php, python.. trying my luck through freelance websites... I am 100% confident I will make it... I have a full time General Manager's role too...
As a person that is over 50 and went back to school to learn how to become a web developer, I can tell you first hand what @TravisMedia talks about is correct. Out of 5 face to face interviews I had 2 flat out said I was much older than what they normally interview and then proceeded to ask interview questions and not pay attention to my answers. The other three looked at my hair and then my resume again and said I don't think you would be a good fit for this position, you'll be working with younger people and a different company culture than what you normally are used to. So it is a rough road if you are over 50 and looking for a web developer job.
Travis any tips for getting out of JavaScript tutorial hell?
Same with me. I've started work, and the first day of the job someone said you shouldn't hire someone older then their thirties. Now I am in my 50s, and I've had people tell me they want someone younger. Happens all the time. Lots of agism in this field.
sorry for this question did you get a job in the end?
It is a new type of discrimination that is just as bad as the ones based on sex, sexuality, or race. The current generation of 20 to 30 is incredibly racist when it comes to age, and not for a very good reason since the current 50s generation grew up with computers and coding if they wanted to. It's just another form of racism
@@MP-mh1tu then if I am a developer since 25 years, I can't be developer if I have 50 years old or more?
@@DeadlyRevenged Of course you can, but there are many companies, especially startups that don't like people with wrinkles or white hair. They want smooth skin and young looks.
Great video and consistent with what I've been hearing.
That was a great perspective, Travis.
I can't believe I am just seeing this video. Thank you so much as I am thinking on learning HTML and css on the side.
I'm already 42 and just started learning web development. Hopefully there will still be job opportunities in the future.
52. Spent 20 years in QA but never wrote code myself. Lost a job in reorg where I was moved into dev org and manager expected the same level as a developer with 20 years of experience. When I left lot of my colleagues gave me this pep talk about sure you can switch to development. I'm going though some code school classes and it really tough. Affects fam too. So if job search is going to be even tougher than class... oh well..
im 60 and have been learning python for 2yrs now. just recently started codecademy a month ago. im half way threw the python course. theres still a bunch of stuff to learn on the codecademy course. ive made python programs at work to make my job easier. im a electronics tech . so if your a doctor. your a doctor that can code.
I'm gonna call rubbish on this one. If companies were smart, they'd pick the 35+ crowd as Jr's as people tend to be a lot more stable in their lives at that point. That or they'd likely be a lot more committed than some 20 year old. If a job is only hiring 20-somethings, run. What they want is a cog in their machine that is committed 24/7 and has no life outside of that job. THey're gonna pay crap or the cost of living will be too high for anyone but singles. In the long run, the turnover will still be higher as devs move on from their jobs for raises and whatnot. Plus, if the working crowd at your company is in their 20's and you're 35+, you don't want that drama....if your local supermarket can hire a 50 year old to push carts, there's nothing saying a big tech company won't...maybe look for the ones that are tired of the 20something drama...the rest won't last....
You hit the nail in the head. I agree totally with you. Maybe because I just turned 50, I used to teach high school programming years ago and now I want to go back into the programming field.(or developer like they say). I just need to refresh what I knew back then. But my life is stable and my mind is still well greased. Just because I'm 50, doesn't mean I have to retire and just sit in my front porch yelling at kids to get off my yard.
Good Vid, over 50 myself and looking to learn HTML and CSS
I know someone who started learning when they were 65. They're now 71 still building stuff lol. You can do anything in life at any age as long as you're physically capable.
if after 6 years of learning web development, someone is still at the stage of "building stuff", it's really become only their hobby.
@@ca-lt1fc can't blame them for trying, you may not have the luck to reach that age
The suggested resources couldn't be downloaded. All you did is make me sign up for your newsletter. Lovely video, regardless!
Good advice, thanks for the info
I'm 37 and age is my reason for checking out opinions about possibiilities of landing a job as a web developer. I kind of regret not pursuing a career in this field when I was younger, I have a computer science degree but didn't have the interest in pursuing it when I graduated in college. I got contented with a job that paid handsomely but was way too far from what I finished in college. Now, I've been trying to update myself and to be honest, though I'm not a stranger to programming, I find it very intimidating now that I've got younger people to compete with. Well, I guess the good thing is, I could still do some other stuff like freelancing or maybe setup my own website and come up with products. Good luck to all of us.
You need about 3 years to become a licensed plumber, then you hire a helper and start making money hand over fist. Nobody cares about age.
The Ultimate Guide to State Plumbing License Requirements - PHCEid
Super helpful video Travis. Thank you.
I'm glad you did this video I am a 43
Suggesting that people over 50 are slower in the brain is the dumbest thing I have heard. If you can't learn programming at 50, then you probably would of did just as bad at learning to code when you was 20. I am now 54, and I was programming computers in 1984 before most cocky young guys was even born. I can spin circles around them. It has nothing to do with your age.
You can spin circles around the new guys because you have 40 years of experience. Try learning completley new and foreing at 54 and get back to us with your thesis.
@WERA59EX Actually, my brain is sharper today than it was when I was 20. Most people don't have cognitive decline until they reach their late Sixties.
You're so inspiring! Well done and thanks 😊
43 and just started. Let's be honest - companies do discriminate based on age. I intend on doing strictly freelance once I learn enough
I'm 50 and looking to start code. Freelancing is what i want to do so i was relieved when you went on to say that as an option (gonna be checking out your video links too, ty)
If sitting in an interview with my son is what it takes, I'll do that well. No problem at all
Big big big thank you!!!!!
WOW - @2:00 Can we say preconceived notions.. So because I m 50 you automatically assume I will have less energy and a slow mind??
Ageism is soo ingrained in our society. They won't hire because they ASSUME your age will impact your skill. If this is HRs mindset, be assure that company would more than likely end up being a hostile work environment and you really would not want to work there anyway.
49 here with almost 30 in IT namely software development. with time one is promoted to team leader, project manager and moving in to managerial positions. One day someone decides you to old to be in the Tech industry and one founds reinventing himself... I am now in the path of freelancing doing some project management and trying to get some software development projects.
@@Andrew-q2m , unfortunately when you reach the 40's you start to be considered old for the job... now I make my living on MLM and if I knew this on my 20's I was a millionaire on 30!
Cheers!
Liked and subbed!
Your thoughts were quite helpful!
I would have thought the one benefit of learning to code was that you could do it online and not interface with anyone...surely there is enough work online
These comments are inspiring ❤
Im 34 yrs man live in vietnam.I have learn python and django framework for two years. But in vietnam almost 99.99% of tech companies they don't use django for work.
Is django going to obsolete?
it depends of each peerson and the energy not always is coming from your age thera many people 50´s with more energy than 30's
Good point
I'm 55 and am following the Travis Media Python and AWS Blueprint. I know this is a generalisation but AWS seems more applicable to working as an employee for a company whilst Python may provide more freelance opportunities. So, is it worth training in AWS given that realistically my main work opportunities will come from freelance work? What about subcontracting (AWS and/or Python) is that a possible option? The subcontracting opportunities I've seen are all for very highly experienced folk not somebody just starting out like me?
I think that it depends on what you learn. I knew this old guy (who I think was approaching 60) who was hired by Accenture recently. But then again, he had several years of Salesforce experience. I think that things like architects would be open to "older" people (since it is experience that would make an architect good in the first place).
I am now 48 years old. I want to learn coding, but I don't intend to become a full-time programmer or shift careers to this field. I just want to learn how to write code in Python to create a model for an AI image generator. Is it still possible for me to learn Python at my age? The only coding language I know is basic HTML.
results matter not age
This is great advice, and freelancing is a good option at 50+ since the current generation of the 20s and 30s and very narcissistic and racist when it comes to age and 'fitting their workplace culture'. Basically, they want an office filled with people with no wrinkles on their faces. Smooth skin is an essential attribute needed to be accepted by those people, and it has never been as bad as today.
Smooth skin and no experience to put up a hand and say 'I want more money for this.' Being young is one thing, but being young and inexperienced with how tech companies work is quite another.
Make sense, I'm going through uni now, I'm 38
They aren't telling you that it will be easy but that IT IS POSSIBLE :) If you want something work hard and stop making excuses. Nothing comes easy
i'm thinking about starting at 30, just not sure if it will pay off after the blood and sweat are drained.
You have a point out there however I think that it is something that can make a difference.
If someone in that age learns a rare coding skill or looks for coding applications that are in demand may be he she has a better chance.
What about 40? I just turned 40 and want to. Could someone in their early 40s (40-44) get a job in web development. Would it be just as hard as it would be for a 50-year-old?
For a software company, hiring kids is probably more attractive because they can be managed like a herd and are more malleable. But for companies where development is done by a small team to support the primary business, experience and reliability does count a lot, and the average age will probably be higher, so it is easier to fit in, if you are a "grown-up".
Is Python a good language to start with for freelancing? I’m getting close to 50
May I ask even you learned some code. It is important to consider that would you be hired by some company to get a stable career path or income? Or the scope of the coding is extremely wide and difficult so it takes unbearable efforts to learn in a continuous way?
How long would it take the average person to nail down HTML & CSS?
One Month
Easy but you need to learn Javascript
Searching youtube for the same title but with '60'. No video found.
Thank you...this was good for me to see. Being a 51 year old and no tech. experience, what are your thoughts on getting into QA testing?
What is the name of the music that was played
Getting a job over 60 is not an option people do not like older workers.
You are never too old to learn. However, you are old enough to face ageism, and have a very hard time getting a job in 2024. Good luck with that.
Travis says, if you are 50 y.o., you get 15 years to retirement.
Me 🤔, thinking about my aunt, who is 78 and still working and loving it, and not even thinking about retirement .
I'm 36, learning Python, and I really hope to get a junior dev job...
thats great bro..im 36 and i just started learning python too..all the best and i hope you succeed✌
@@snexbau5251 Same to you 🙂
@Martin Dennis Thanks a lot for the courage! I started applying 2 weeks ago. Let's see...
They say once you have reached 30, your life is over.
Hi
Travis thank you for the honest content.
I am 45 years old.
I live in Iran and i am 17 years developer.
Freelancing is always better no matter how old you are ,but For me is very difficult ,because I live in Iran.What can I do?
Build a public portfolio , work in open source, try networking online to connect people around the world, try offering your services on platforms like upwork and fiver. All the best
May I ask how can primary school substitute teacher make a career change at midlife crisis please?
I am at 40 and self taught and have full knowledge of sql, basic of java , spring frame work ,linux and the basic knowledge in html, css and JS and still learning but no coding experience but I want to get the job in developing either front end or backend.So how it is possible and what the beast way to go ? Can you give me the idea and the link of resources that of freelancing
the same difficultie is for Canada?
Hello Travis!Great channel!So im 39 and i feel stuck and watn to try change career to a new job.Do you think is it possible to learn code and work on this and what language do y ou suggest?
Thanks, I am 51, I am learning JavaScript, Already know HTML and CSS. Needed this pep talk.
Hi Travis thanks for your video!I am 50 and just started learning Python,any freelancing jobs in that field with Python you can suggest?
Hey man, i'll be 34 this year and i was planning to freelance especially with chatGPT making it easier to learn how to code. What would be a good coding language to start on?
If anyone is interested doing business in the Philippines, just reply here. I hope we can work something up.
What about remote?
Hi Mr T. What about starting at 44 😬😬
Freelancing is not a solution. Simply because you won't get enough clients to make ends meet. It's only good as an additional income.
I wonder if being a woman on top of being in your late 40s will be an additional obstacle? I have never found any older ladies on RUclips starting a second career in programming/development like I'd like to do
I am not sure how age will impact you....but I know the fact that STEM is male dominated means that many companies are aggressively looking to get more women involved.
@@leagueofotters2774 thanks for your comment, I appreciate it. At least my gender might balance out my age I suppose. That's encouraging
It's like saying, male and female are the same.
If you can code you have work. This guy might be low energy at 34 but that's not everyone.
Hi travis I have a question for you. Did you earn enough during freelancing that you could sustain yourself only doing that?
Hey Roberto, I did. One sustainable strategy I had was to make connections with agencies and take on overflow work, which kept regular work coming my way. Also, from my own clients.
@@TravisMedia Thank you very much I subscribed your channel! You are very helpful and inspiring! :)
@@robworldtv Thanks Roberto. Glad to help out. Let me know of any questions you have in the future.
@@TravisMedia Thank you, I will definitely will :)
@@TravisMedia Sorry another question :) I really liked your website. Which tools have you used to build it?
I don't think it is all doom and gloom for older workers.
Retire?...people still do that? Hey, great hard look at reality. Thx. I'm 48 thinking about changing careers into development and had same thoughts about the younger person-laden career. Maybe real estate instead.
I am 26 years old, is it too late to find a first job as a software developer?
Could I work until retirement age (67)?
yea man you are late, u should start when you where 2
@@partlysimpson5154if you are 8 and not being able to code a game you are done
Just don't say you are 50..lol. Try looking 20 years younger as me..lol
This guy is misleading you , you cannot make a career out of CSS. You can have a job, but there will be no career out of it. Rinse and repeat.
up
Not too late in life but age discrimination is rampant in tech. When you hit 40 you will be thrown in the streets.
Sounds like age discrimination. There is no reason a job such as in tech would be easier based on age.
No problems if the intent is to freelance... if you plan to get hired by some company, good luck... you're going to need it.
You may not be too old to learn to code...but can you take the stress of being a working software developer? It's easy to write a bubble sort on your weekend off. Try fixing someone else's poorly written broken code by tomorrow morning. Not 20 lines of code, 10000 lines of code. how about you do that then someone else rewrites your code because it's sh1t, yes you solved the problem but this guy is further up the ladder and takes your understanding and rewrites you code, fixing some minor issue you had ... and takes all the credit. Enjoy.
Gosh, you make it sound like work.....I guess the software industry is they only one in which unreasonable demands can be made and you can be treated like crap.
@@leagueofotters2774 Yes you're right, this is "work". But im trying to give a realistic picture. TBH when you consider what you have to do, and the stress ... programming jobs are not worth the money unless you love it. And even if you do love it, you will get poisoned because the nature of software dev is against the very personality attributes that make a good dev.
Your video only discourage people..too sad