The truth is, it’s never too late to learn how to code. People have learned coding in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and still get hired by top brands and companies.
Tech does not only welcome people from all backgrounds, it also welcomes people of different ages across different fields.
Introduction
If you find yourself in any online community where programmers and wannabe programmers hangout, you will discover that one of the most asked questions you see pop up is;
“Am I too old to learn programming?”
And these questions are being asked by individuals of different age groups.
These individuals struggle with the fear that:
- You need to invest a lot of time
- Programming is difficult
- Programming demands great attention to detail
- Programming requires excellent memory and the ability to comprehend a lot of syntaxes
- There’s a huge competition in the industry
And the list goes on!
Are you one of those individuals wondering if you are too old to learn how to code?
Read this article to find out why it’s never too late to start programming and why it’s very important you start now!
Can you start coding at 30?
People seem to have the notion that the tech industry consists of young, nerd-looking individuals who started coding in their parent’s basements at the age of 5.
And at the early twenties they have become coding geniuses who have the ability to knock out a full app while their eyes are closed; knowing all the nooks and crannies of different programming languages.
But, in reality, things are different.
Nobody knows it all and the industry is full of people (young and old) still trying to figure out one thing or the other, people who are constantly learning and improving themselves.
Hence, you can start today regardless of your age.
With enough zeal, consistency and focus; you can secure a good spot for yourself in this industry.
The truth is that it’s never too late to learn to code.
Looking at this Study by Datausa.io, the average age of a computer programmer in the United state is 45.
According to the study, you will notice the programming population grows in the age groups between 25-54.
Reasons why you should learn how to code even when you are older
A career change into tech can be of benefit to you for a number of reasons!
- Learning to code can advance your career, no matter which job you choose.
- You can increase your salary; for example, software engineers earn $110,125 on average per year in the US.
- Coding careers are in demand, which means it may be easier to actually land a job. Employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- The work is meaningful; you can contribute to innovative projects that serve a real purpose and make a difference in the world.
- Tech jobs are often flexible (work from home, flexible hours, etc.), which can be super important later in life.
- Coding as a career offers challenge and variety, which helps you stay excited and mentally stimulated by your career instead of burning out.
- Ultimately, coding careers are some of the best jobs to retrain for at 50 or around that age, since they offer flexibility, the chance to save more for retirement, etc.
How to Learn Programming If You’re Older
It all starts with learning. And it’s believed that at your age you have other commitments, your family needs your time, you need to be up and doing in your current job.
Here are tips to help you learn coding in your 30s, 40s and 50s.
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Set out time to learn:
Block out time from your busy schedule to learn.
Whether it’s your lunch break or a couple of hours each evening after work or when the kids have gone to bed, designate some uninterrupted coding time, remove yourself from your busy life, and be out of reach in a place peaceful and quiet.
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Link up with other coders your age who are eager and passionate:
It’s already a known fact that the best way to learn something new is to connect with like-minded people.
Being in their midst will help push you to always show up and be consistent. Learn with a friend, or find a dedicated coding community in your area or online to share your journey with.
Having peers who understand your unique challenges will make the process more enjoyable.
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Don’t compete with yourself and others
Learning to code is not a competition and shouldn’t be seen as one.
If you are, you will always be discouraged because there’s always somebody out there that’s better and more knowledgeable in a topic than the best amongst us.
Your only competition should be who you were the previous day.
Focus on your unique journey, strengths and goals, and not on how far ‘behind’ anybody’s progress makes you feel.
Conclusion
As days go by, more and more people are getting into programming and if you are thinking about it, it’s time to jump into it and make that switch into your dream career.
If you need one good reason why you need to do it now, it’s simple.
The world is continuously evolving and everything that concerns life on this planet is one way or the other evolving into a state where it will be 100% dependent on technology.
More programmers and software developers are needed to bring to life the increasing number of tech-related ideas people come up with on a daily basis.
Therefore, the demand for programmers is High.
So I encourage you to get learning and stop worrying much about your age.
And it’s a wrap.
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Till we meet again on another article,
Happy Coding!
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