20 years old,is it too late to start a career in programming?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by silentdream, Feb 22, 2020.

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  1. silentdream

    silentdream New Member

    Hi,I'm new to the concept of programming and I am the beginning of it. I know to create smaller programs in C(lotto,blackjack,poker,roulette) and I learned Python3 as my first language.
    My problem is,can you join this field if you don't have a college degree and you only worked at home?
    I do not have qualifications in programming. Do you really need them?
    Is college really necessary?
    There is something else I would like to know,if you start with less experience your salary will be minimum?
    I wanted to choose this career because I heard the pay is great and that you can buy a modern car,a great house and more.
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Good so far. Python3 a good choice for a starter language and C (or C++) is a good choice to expand your horizons.

    Yes, iff you know what you're doing.

    No, but they certainly don't hurt.

    No, but it certainly doesn't hurt. You'll want that later as you transition into leadership roles in mid-career, but for now it's much less important than actually coding as much as you can.

    Of course. You already knew that would be the answer.

    As someone who got into IT before you were born, trust me when I say that all the people I know in it who are the most successful are motivated by their interest in the field, and not the money.

    GitHub is your friend here. Consider finding an open source project there that uses Python3 and offer to help them develop it. They'll be happy to have you, since beggars can't be choosers. From that you'll gain experience, and you'll also be adding real word code you've written onto your GitHub profile, which if anything is more important in programming than your CV. You'll also get a better sense of whether this is actually something you truly enjoy, because I mean it when I say that's a prerequisite for success.

    Good luck!
     
  3. AsianStew

    AsianStew Moderator Staff Member

    silentdream, do you have an associates already? If you have time, I usually get people to do 3 things: 1) Certificates/Certifications 2) Degree 3) Experience. I would recommend getting a few of these looked at and completed. It won't really matter how you get into the field, but I recommend working on the beginner/cheap certs and move up to better recognized ones.
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I am a believer in the "test the water" method. There is no need to make a decision until you have to make a decision so why not just take a course. Try it out. Coursera or EdX cost nothing. If you like it, if you're good at it, if it catches your imagination, etc. you will know fairly quickly. Do you look forward to your study time or do you procrastinate. Are you always doing the minimum or are you actually eating it all up? You will know by the end of the course if you are on track or not.
     
  5. LearningAddict

    LearningAddict Well-Known Member

    Haha. No.

    This is excellent advice. I myself have done this many times. Things I enjoyed I pursued, and sometimes I found out I actually hated the thing I was initially interested in and I walked away from it. Take a course or two in the subject you're interested in and you'll see if it's for you or not.
     
  6. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    There is nothing is too late, it is better late than never. Warren Buffett did not join the BBC until he was 55 years old. David Sanders did not start KFC until he was 62 years old after multiple suicide attempt. One thing about IT and and programming, you are constantly learning.
     
  7. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    Man that sounds an awful lot like a troll...
     
  8. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Yes.

    But all is not lost! At your age, you only have 47 years left before you can collect 100% of your Social Security benefits.

    If I were you, I'd just sit tight till then.
     

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