I'm a 34-year-old man looking to switch careers into programming. I had started creating websites using HTML, CSS, and some basic JavaScript before I got into trucking about six months ago. Now, I'm fed up with trucking and want to get back to my original plan of entering the tech field. I'm planning to buy a used Mac to study while on the road, and I'm considering a self-taught path, possibly with an online degree from WGU to help build my credentials. I want to make sure I have a solid understanding of the basics before I jump into the WGU program to expedite the process. I'm thinking of starting with the CS50 course first instead of diving straight into web development with HTML, CSS, and JS. I'm looking for advice on what I should study to be well-prepared for WGU, and if anyone out there has successfully transitioned to tech in their 30s, I'd love to hear your experiences!
5 Answers
If you want to pursue a degree, make sure your math skills are sharp. Khan Academy has excellent resources for that. For computer science fundamentals, check out teachyourselfcs.com. You could self-study and potentially test out of some WGU classes. As for programming, work on focused projects that solve specific problems; it’s the best way to learn.
People do successfully make career changes in their 30s, but starting with web development might be tough since it’s a saturated field. You should focus on the fundamentals, get your degree, and explore other areas of programming that interest you more.
I made the switch at 34 during COVID, so job hunting was easier then. The market's tougher now, especially without a degree, so getting one is a solid plan. I recommend starting with CS50; it's a great foundation. And try to brush up on discrete math and data structures as well to be better equipped for interviews.
While many suggest getting a degree, the reality is that even with one, finding a job is getting tougher. The industry is shaky right now. It might be best to treat programming as a hobby over the next year and see how you feel about it later.
Just a heads up, the job market is really challenging right now. Are you sure you want to make this switch? There's a lot of competition without a degree.
Related Questions
How To: Running Codex CLI on Windows with Azure OpenAI
Set Wordpress Featured Image Using Javascript
How To Fix PHP Random Being The Same
Why no WebP Support with Wordpress
Replace Wordpress Cron With Linux Cron
Customize Yoast Canonical URL Programmatically