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How I got my first job as a junior developer at 40+ of age after 6 months?

Luc_C on April 03, 2020

You might think that this is nothing out of ordinary, but I gotta tell you that being a junior webdev it is not easy. Of course there are some that...
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lepinekong • Edited

"I felt very encouraged when SOMEONE I KNEW proposed to me to build his construction website."
Yep that's mostly how you can get a job no matter what of course you must be skilled enough so learn and then talk and shake hands ;)

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rafaRemote

Thanks to have shared your story, it's inspiring. When I was young I was coding (I did start at 13 with an Amstrad CPC6128 and its BASIC). I listened to teachers saying I was not enough at maths to 'think about computers'. I was young, docile, literally a sheep, I did not fight, I did not say: "Hey, unable to code ? have a look at my own programs!" (i.e. a program which was allowing to run a game after the user answered a few questions about general knowledge, not fancy stuff but that's what I was doing on my free time). Back in those times (middle of the nineties), people were keeping saying there was no job anywhere, there was an expression in french ("tous les secteurs sont bouchés") Let's say there was no hope (incredible, but it's true that's what I do remind from those times) So I did not insist at all and I did go on ... anything else than "thinking about IT job"... (secretary at the army, industrial cook, "life assistant"...) I did wander for 3 decades (THREE DECADES) but now it's enough, I can't bear anymore this situation, not anymore. It's necessary to precise that the times have changed. What did I see recently on the main page of the 'job center' website (french one, Pôle Emploi)? An ad, a big ad to promote coding, for everybody, any background, I repeat: anybody (meaning any age)" a-ny back-ground "! So why, why not me? It looks / it sounds, like definitively the right time to jump into coding, and I'm jumping into. Some months ago I did get a piece of advice, from the CEO of an IT company. What was he advising in order to learn coding? For example freeCodeCamp! (he did also say that the best should be to learn Python in his own opinion... ) Slowly I've started to learn via the freeCodeCamp, and I like it, this night, for example, I was keeping on thinking about its challenges haha In my mind was the 16th challenge of Basic Algorithm Scripting: "Chunky Monkey". I know I have the tools to solve it, but how to organize the code, how to build it, I did imagine a solution that I'm going to try right now! Not sure if it will work... There was a lot of different things about JavaScript which was in my head, and I've found solutions (I mean.. this night, in my bed, on my 'awake time' haha) I've never been really into the jobs I've done until now. I'm happy to, at least, try to follow my way now. I have to say that you have been really brave considering your situation (your family) it's really incredible to have the strength to take this risk. Bravo.( My situation is easier to deal with, and that's also why I do not have to hesitate, though there are always also risks of course. ) Thanks again.

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Luc_C

What an incredible story you have! You could write your own article to inspire others! Yes you could! Don’t be a naysayer! 🙂 c’mon! Write your article! 🙏

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rafaRemote

I will, one day, but I think I'll wait to have my first job before this. :)

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Scott Sykora

Hey Luc, good to meet you! I am 45 and in a very similar situation to you (except cancer brought me to coding), so it was fun to read your story. I will be making notes about what you did and keeping up with your progress. All the best!

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Luc_C

Thank you very much for taking time on reading my story. Wishing you the best.

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thebronxsystem

Congratulations this is big achievement. Most people do not understand the dedication you would of had to put in. Getting qualified and finding the first dev role is a difficult journey that many do not finish.

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Karem

Great inspiration Luc!
What is your favourite Javascript function so far? :)

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David Yao

Thanks Luc for such an aspiring life story. Really love how your expressed yourself. Cheers

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kethmars

Thank you for sharing you story, Luc!

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Luc_C

You are most welcome.

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Emmanuel Adebayo

Thanks for this

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Luc_C

You are welcome! 😊