Hello DEV community!
I'm 23 years-old. I graduated with a degree in Business Administration (General) and was pursuing a career in Finance. I've recently grown an interest in programming and I've decided to switch my career. One problem is that I can't stop thinking I'm TOO OLD or that I won't be able to comprehend the knowledge a CS graduate has or someone who started coding when they were like 17 or something.
I'm a perfectionist and being just good at what I do won't be enough for me. I need to be excellent. Is it possible? Any help?
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Top comments (11)
Hi. You are definitely not too old. I started programming from scratch when I was 23 and only went at it seriously when I was 25 and I've done very well in my career so far. I know people that have switched careers at 40, and they were not too old either.
Truth is you are never too old to do something you like, and you are probably never too old to switch careers either, based on other people I've seen who have done it.
But even if it was possible, in your case you are absolutely no where near too old being only 23 years old. If anything your degree in business and your finance experience will actually be helpful when talking to managers, discussing features, and even working as a programmer in finance if you want to go that route.
The only thing that you have to lose is more years if you don't start now. If you're sure you want to go for it, there is no better time to start than now. Good luck :)
Thank you so much Spyros, I appreciate your insight!
May I ask, how did you learn to code?
Of course. When I first started out I didn't really have a good path. I just Googled "best language to learn programming" and whatnot. Python came up. So I started with that using the book "Think Python" and also "The hard way to learn Python", then I did some other books on it. I did that very casually from 23 to 25 while working on my normal job.
At 25 I had a browse for programming jobs and realised web development is quite popular, so I thought I'll switch to that. That's when I started programming properly and mostly dropped python to learn front end web development. I went through a few courses and also did some Node for a bit, then a bit of WordPress, then React...
Overall my learning path could have been significantly better, and I could have wasted a lot less time.
If I was to start again, I would ask "what do I want to do in programming". Front end web development? Back end web development? Mobile development? Game development? Whatever. Also see what jobs actually require if that's important to you. Jobs + what you want to do will show you what you should focus on learning.
This way I would feel like I wasted significantly less time. Yes everything you learn is useful, but as a beginner some things are important to learn first and other things may not help you for a long time.
Thank you Spyros, that's really helpful!
Yes it is possible. I graduated to Finance school like you. When I was a student at university I started to coding (I was 21) and now I’m working most biggest e-commerce platform in Turkey. You can do it. You can starting now and also you are not to old. I have found for you. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurizio_S...
Thank you so much Batuhan! The article is inspiring.
May I ask, How did you learn to code?
Google and Youtube. github.com/kamranahmedse/developer...
23? Please, Izz, don't be silly. Most data scientists and professional actuaries would say that - in all probability - you have many many years to perfect your craft. That is not a real concern.
The other one - being able to hang with the CSers - in my experience actually is a concern. Not a roadblock, more like a hurdle or aspect for You to consider. (And BTW, my experience numbers over four decades in various forms of tech.) I have a BA in Broadcasting and an MBA yet I support myself and family doing development work (mostly programming). The thing to consider is your own perspective and mind type.
Some truly gifted devs are very internal, analytical, and may not be the best explainers in the world (sometimes because it comes so easily to them.). If being in a community where that persona is lauded, maybe that is a concern. On the other hand, there is TONS of room for great personas in every aspect of programming, and this will remain so for as long as you need to worry about it.
It's more about you, what you are able to accept and what you are willing to do.
To be great at anything takes much work, humbleness, and perseverance.
Programming is no different.
All the best.
Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion, a helpful one actually. Thanks again.