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The age factor 9
- Thread starter DrewB
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That depends on how you go about doing things.
If you are thinking that you can get on the fast track by earning a vendor certification then I suggest that you have the wrong strategy.
What I suggest is that you find an entry level computer job to gain experience, take some college courses and get some tech training which may possibly lead to a certification. This I would see as the magic mix for success at your age or any age.
I think at your age you could have alot to offer an employer.
If you are thinking that you can get on the fast track by earning a vendor certification then I suggest that you have the wrong strategy.
What I suggest is that you find an entry level computer job to gain experience, take some college courses and get some tech training which may possibly lead to a certification. This I would see as the magic mix for success at your age or any age.
I think at your age you could have alot to offer an employer.
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DrewB -
I'm sorry to say that at some employers your age (and mine -- I'm 37) would work against us. They try and hire kids with 2 years experience or just out of college because they can get them to work long hours with little pay.
Other employers recognize the value of experience and try to hire at least a few older developers to ride herd on the young-'uns. And a few realize what a valuable resource experience is.
I think the most important thing is a person's attitude towards learning. I know mainframe programmers who say "If the company wanted me to learn a relational database, they'd send me to a class". I think this is the wrong attitude to take -- what they're doing is gambling that they are worth more to the company than the cost of a class and the time needed to learn a new technology.
You are the one who has to be in charge of what you learn. Go take classes, read books & magazines, and talk to your peers (like here at Tek-Tips). If you find that you are no longer being challenged at work, find another job that is going in the direction you want to go.
Companies will frequently say "Why should I send Joe over there to a class, when he'll just take what he learned elsewhere?" And sometimes you'll get: "Heck, we'll fire him and hire someone who knows how to write for {x} and will work for less". Is it fair or ethical? Nope. But it's what happens.
So take every opportunity to learn new stuff. You should be spending several hours each week outside of work reading, learning, etc.
Chip H.
I'm sorry to say that at some employers your age (and mine -- I'm 37) would work against us. They try and hire kids with 2 years experience or just out of college because they can get them to work long hours with little pay.
Other employers recognize the value of experience and try to hire at least a few older developers to ride herd on the young-'uns. And a few realize what a valuable resource experience is.
I think the most important thing is a person's attitude towards learning. I know mainframe programmers who say "If the company wanted me to learn a relational database, they'd send me to a class". I think this is the wrong attitude to take -- what they're doing is gambling that they are worth more to the company than the cost of a class and the time needed to learn a new technology.
You are the one who has to be in charge of what you learn. Go take classes, read books & magazines, and talk to your peers (like here at Tek-Tips). If you find that you are no longer being challenged at work, find another job that is going in the direction you want to go.
Companies will frequently say "Why should I send Joe over there to a class, when he'll just take what he learned elsewhere?" And sometimes you'll get: "Heck, we'll fire him and hire someone who knows how to write for {x} and will work for less". Is it fair or ethical? Nope. But it's what happens.
So take every opportunity to learn new stuff. You should be spending several hours each week outside of work reading, learning, etc.
Chip H.
As in any industry, in IT there is a learning curve involved with a change of career. I run a training center, so a lot of people solicit advice from me and my colleagues.
The biggest obstacle, for those of us who are not 21 anymore, is whether or not you can financially handle the learning (and experience) curve. You are not going to walk into a $50-60K job with no more than training/certification under your belt. You will have to gain some real experience before the bigger bucks start to come in. It may take a year or 2 (I've seen it done: from 0 to 60K in one year, but this is the exception, not the rule).
If you can live with $25-35K for a year or so, then go for it. Otherwise, you'll need to find a way to gain experience, while keeping your "day job".
Just my $.02 worth... Good luck!
- Bill
"You can get anything you want out of life, if you'll just help enough other people get what they want" - Zig Ziglar
The biggest obstacle, for those of us who are not 21 anymore, is whether or not you can financially handle the learning (and experience) curve. You are not going to walk into a $50-60K job with no more than training/certification under your belt. You will have to gain some real experience before the bigger bucks start to come in. It may take a year or 2 (I've seen it done: from 0 to 60K in one year, but this is the exception, not the rule).
If you can live with $25-35K for a year or so, then go for it. Otherwise, you'll need to find a way to gain experience, while keeping your "day job".
Just my $.02 worth... Good luck!
- Bill"You can get anything you want out of life, if you'll just help enough other people get what they want" - Zig Ziglar
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I got into the computer industry at 40. Went to a specialized school to get training -- but it had a good rep in the area for placement. Being female, I had the triple whammy: an old, female newbie. I didn't have that great of a job before, but my longevity had gotten me decent pay for the type of work. Within 1 year I was making more than I had after 15 in my previous job, and now am making more than twice that! I have not gotten any certifications - still studying. But my company does have incentive plans for certifications .
What I have learned from the change: Don't get into the tech field because you think you can make bucks. You have to have the aptitude and temperment and enjoy the work. Talk to people who do the kind of work you're interested in -- find out how they really spend their time, and how much time doing their job. Ask what they would change about their job, what they hate, what they like. And be prepared to always read, study and new learn new -- in this line of work, if you don't keep up, you get left behind, FAST!
What I have learned from the change: Don't get into the tech field because you think you can make bucks. You have to have the aptitude and temperment and enjoy the work. Talk to people who do the kind of work you're interested in -- find out how they really spend their time, and how much time doing their job. Ask what they would change about their job, what they hate, what they like. And be prepared to always read, study and new learn new -- in this line of work, if you don't keep up, you get left behind, FAST!
Guest_imported
New member
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
In a popular magizine (it was Time or News Week) a few years ago the cover said " 40 + I.T. + Unemployed.
The criteria is;
1) Just out of school (latest knowlege)
2) Young (Will work for less)
3) Single (No other obligations)
Sorry but those are the facts
The criteria is;
1) Just out of school (latest knowlege)
2) Young (Will work for less)
3) Single (No other obligations)
Sorry but those are the facts
Guest_imported
New member
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
Any Cert is only as good as the experience behind it. That is why M$ is getting a Rap for Paper MCSE's.
Take a look at your strenghts, in the business you ran what were you really good at and likes, what were your weaknesses and dislikes. Write them all down and find your field and focus on that area. The computer industry is very very broad, Telco, programmers, Vendor hardware, Unix (learn unix very well and you will have a job anywhere), Microsoft OS's and Apps, Novell, Cisco equipment, Nortel blah blah blah..... There are 1000's of ways to go..
45 is not too late.. But you have a background in something you can use..........
Take a look at your strenghts, in the business you ran what were you really good at and likes, what were your weaknesses and dislikes. Write them all down and find your field and focus on that area. The computer industry is very very broad, Telco, programmers, Vendor hardware, Unix (learn unix very well and you will have a job anywhere), Microsoft OS's and Apps, Novell, Cisco equipment, Nortel blah blah blah..... There are 1000's of ways to go..
45 is not too late.. But you have a background in something you can use..........
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dpellegrini
MIS
I hate to say it but these days I've noticed age bias from age 26 and up. Many companies want young talent that they can train their way and not have to give them the salaries of seasoned pro's. Companies also have the mis-notion that older(not old) people cannot adapt to the fast changing IT industry nor learn new technologies as quickly. But then this notion is mostly from IT executives that know as much about IT as an English nanny. Excuse the sarcasm, but I too am left a little bitter about the whole thing. I'm only 33, I've work in IT for the past 11 years and have had certs for 3years. I don't see much reason to update my certs, because as soon as you complete a track, it get's retired, and I'm already at an age that employers are bypassing me for younger candidates, and the value of the certs (Microsoft, A+, and Novell) are becoming more and more valueless. I've considered changing careers but I'm not really qualified for anything else. The industry really needs to start looking at setting some standards and regulations when it comes to certificaion and experience as well as age discrimination issues.
Domenick Pellegrini
dpellegrini@yahoo.com
Domenick Pellegrini
dpellegrini@yahoo.com
I've considered changing careers but I'm not really qualified for anything else.
A couple of guys & I have joked about starting our second careers as plumbers and electricians.
The industry really needs to start looking at setting some standards and regulations when it comes to certificaion and experience as well as age discrimination issues.
There was a story in today's paper about how the people here on H1B visas might have to leave the US if they don't find work soon (those laid off in the recent economic downturn). I expect that when things pick up again, companies will hire older workers rather than have to pay the visa fees and relocation expenses all over again.
Chip H.
A couple of guys & I have joked about starting our second careers as plumbers and electricians.
The industry really needs to start looking at setting some standards and regulations when it comes to certificaion and experience as well as age discrimination issues.
There was a story in today's paper about how the people here on H1B visas might have to leave the US if they don't find work soon (those laid off in the recent economic downturn). I expect that when things pick up again, companies will hire older workers rather than have to pay the visa fees and relocation expenses all over again.
Chip H.
dpellegrini
MIS
That's an interesting news item. I'm don't have a problem with helping other countries develope their IT resources, but not at the expense of our own citizens. This is a positive note in this "slow" economy. I suppose I shouldn't be too jaded, after all I am still employed.
Domenick Pellegrini
dpellegrini@yahoo.com
Domenick Pellegrini
dpellegrini@yahoo.com
I don't have a problem with them coming here, what I have a problem with are industry leaders telling Washington there's an IT shortage. Obviously not true -- what there is is a shortage of people with the skills they want.
Now, some of those people are the type who want to be spoon-fed everything. I think that if you refuse to learn new things, then eventually you'll be left behind.
Reminds me of the comic who joked about getting a promising career working with computers -- "beep boop beep Would you like fries with that?"
Chip H.
Now, some of those people are the type who want to be spoon-fed everything. I think that if you refuse to learn new things, then eventually you'll be left behind.
Reminds me of the comic who joked about getting a promising career working with computers -- "beep boop beep Would you like fries with that?"
Chip H.
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