I was in IT for well over 10 years before being layed off 6 years ago. I was doing business basic on aix systems. There was no market for my skills. i had done some java including a little gui. i have been designing and coding -on more own - an inventory control system using .net, c#, vs 2005 and sql server 2005. for the last 6 yrs i have been bouncing around sales jobs to support my family. i really want to get back into it. however, since i don't have verifiable experience with .net, et al, i haven't been able to get even a junior programming job. I have excellent analysis skills and believe i can be an asset to an company. I'm thinking of going back to school and was wondering if this is worth the effort and, if so, whether i should take .net classes, or change to database or networking. btw, i'm 56 yrs old. any advice would be appreciated.
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Should I get back into IT
- Thread starter anied52
- Start date
Stella740pl
Programmer
That's a difficult one.
Did you get at least some interviews or not at all?
In fact, even for a 40-year old with a 6-year experience gap or switching careers would be very hard to get a junior/entry level job, let alone 56-year old. Those jobs are usually reserved, oficially or not, for those under 25 or so (most often for those right after school). Most hiring managers are suspicious/cautious about slightly older folks trying to get a low paying junior position, especially when a gap not easily explained. (Also, those that are somewhat younger than you are not very happy to get a more senior person under their jurisdiction, and give them all the most-unwanted assignments, etc.)
Maybe you should try to get some experience in some other way, like volunteering, working for a non-profit, etc., if you are serious about getting back and think it worth the time and the trouble.
Or try to make a demo of your inventory control system to show off your skills (take your own laptop to the interview) - may work in some cases in some smaller places that need just what you can offer for a price lower than others would ask.
Not to offend, but I've found absolutely nothing to validate those statements about age restrictions. It's about ability.
6 years away from the industry, sure. That's going to be nearly impossible to get past.
Volunteering is a good idea, as is having a good portfolio of work that you've done. Non-profit stuff is irrelevant. Just because they're not profit generating doesn't mean they hire people with less skills. It just means they (generally) don't pay as much. I personally know of several non-profit entities that have at least part time CCIE and MCITP staff.
Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.
6 years away from the industry, sure. That's going to be nearly impossible to get past.
Volunteering is a good idea, as is having a good portfolio of work that you've done. Non-profit stuff is irrelevant. Just because they're not profit generating doesn't mean they hire people with less skills. It just means they (generally) don't pay as much. I personally know of several non-profit entities that have at least part time CCIE and MCITP staff.
Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.
I apologize if this sounds rude, but it is not intended that way.
Personally, I feel that if you have to ask if you should be in IT, then I would prefer if you weren't. To me, simply asking the question implies limited enthusiasm for the work. I would prefer if those who didn't really want to work in the industry didn't, leaving the jobs for those of us who really want to be here.
When you are asking if it is worth it, it seems to me that you are asking a financial question. The real question is "Is it worth what I will have to give up in life in order to be doing the work I want to do?" or "Do I want it enough to make the necessary sacrifices?"
Again, I don't mean this to be rude. I can relate to making sacrifices to support a family, and I am very sympathetic. If you return to IT, it won't be easy, so you need to make sure it's what you truly want.
However, if you decide that it is what you really want to do, don't let any obstacles stand in your way. You might need to take classes, work 2 or more jobs, and/or accept a lower-paying (or even non-paying) position. However, with hard work and dedication, you can be successful whether you are 56 or 26.
Oh, and as far as what to study, I personally believe that concepts (such as database design, networking, oop, etc.) are infinitely more useful than technologies (specific languages, .Net, etc). If you understand the underlying concepts, adapting to the technologies is relatively easy. However, experience in the technologies is what many hiring managers tend to seek.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.
Personally, I feel that if you have to ask if you should be in IT, then I would prefer if you weren't. To me, simply asking the question implies limited enthusiasm for the work. I would prefer if those who didn't really want to work in the industry didn't, leaving the jobs for those of us who really want to be here.
When you are asking if it is worth it, it seems to me that you are asking a financial question. The real question is "Is it worth what I will have to give up in life in order to be doing the work I want to do?" or "Do I want it enough to make the necessary sacrifices?"
Again, I don't mean this to be rude. I can relate to making sacrifices to support a family, and I am very sympathetic. If you return to IT, it won't be easy, so you need to make sure it's what you truly want.
However, if you decide that it is what you really want to do, don't let any obstacles stand in your way. You might need to take classes, work 2 or more jobs, and/or accept a lower-paying (or even non-paying) position. However, with hard work and dedication, you can be successful whether you are 56 or 26.
Oh, and as far as what to study, I personally believe that concepts (such as database design, networking, oop, etc.) are infinitely more useful than technologies (specific languages, .Net, etc). If you understand the underlying concepts, adapting to the technologies is relatively easy. However, experience in the technologies is what many hiring managers tend to seek.
Whatever you decide, I wish you the best.
I don't believe being passionate about your chosen career path should be a prerequisite for obtaining a job in said field. Most companies want to hire someone who produces the most output at the highest quality for a fair market rate.
If you're good at what you do, why should I hire someone less skilled who enjoys the work a bit more? Conversely, I think you'll find that in general people who are more enthusiastic about their field might be a bit better at it than those who aren't, thus obtaining better positions and longer-term employment. These things tend to work themselves out in the larger picture.
The best advise I could give to the poster would be to find and ask someone who has done what you are proposing.
If you're good at what you do, why should I hire someone less skilled who enjoys the work a bit more? Conversely, I think you'll find that in general people who are more enthusiastic about their field might be a bit better at it than those who aren't, thus obtaining better positions and longer-term employment. These things tend to work themselves out in the larger picture.
The best advise I could give to the poster would be to find and ask someone who has done what you are proposing.
- Thread starter
- #6
KornGreek - you misunderstood my question. It has nothing to do with passion. When I got laid off I didn't have the skill set employer's wanted. I wasn't getting any interviews and had to support my family in other ways. When I ask if it is worth it, I'm wondering if because of my age and the fact that I've been out 6 years, and would probably have to go back to school for 3 years to get the updated degree, thus being even older, would I be employable? If not, then it's not worth it. If yes, then I would. I was hoping managers in IT would have some response as to what they would do if I approached them for a job. Thanks.
None of the last three employers of mine even asked about college, or any formal training. Seriously. And each yielded a ~$50k bump. It's skills and experience. Both are very important, with some give as to where the divider lies (1/2 skills and 1/2 experience, etc).
If you're bent on going to school, do it online, at night, while you're working in a related job. You get the skills, formal training, and experience all at the same time.
Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.
If you're bent on going to school, do it online, at night, while you're working in a related job. You get the skills, formal training, and experience all at the same time.
Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.
Stella740pl
Programmer
Not to offend, but I've found absolutely nothing to validate those statements about age restrictions. It's about ability.
Well, I cannot offer you any formal documentation. It's more of a perception based on several friends' experience - different situations that together formed that opinion.
Ability? Sure, only if you can prove it, and what you usually have to prove it is experience. With a 6-year gap (and a previous experience of 10 years, not much longer than the gap), and a current age of 56...
I don't say it's not doable - but it's going to be as hard as it could be. Again, it's my own opinion.
DonQuichote
Programmer
- Nov 9, 2001
- 980
I know that it is legally forbidden to discriminate on age (here in the Netherlands), but it can be really hard to find a job if you are close to your pension. Because you "do not fit into the (young) team", for instance.
If there is any kind of unemployment agency you can use, it may be useful to bring you into contact with other people like you. Together you may even start a new company. I bet that all the senior computer users out there would welcome a company without a generation gap...
+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)
If there is any kind of unemployment agency you can use, it may be useful to bring you into contact with other people like you. Together you may even start a new company. I bet that all the senior computer users out there would welcome a company without a generation gap...
+++ Despite being wrong in every important aspect, that is a very good analogy +++
Hex (in Darwin's Watch)
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