“Tech is a young person’s game” – a common myth that discourages many from entering the tech world later in life. If you’re contemplating a career change to programming at 40, 50, 60, or even beyond, you might be asking: am I too old to become a programmer?
The answer is a resounding no. It’s absolutely achievable to start a fulfilling career in IT at 40 and beyond. To demonstrate this, we’ve gathered insights from individuals who have successfully transitioned into programming careers. Their experiences and advice offer invaluable guidance for anyone considering a similar path.
Whether you’re just starting to learn coding in your 30s, aiming to become a software engineer in your 40s, or seeking the best career changes at 50, this guide provides a roadmap to help you navigate your journey into programming.
Why Programming is a Smart Career Change at Any Age
Switching to a tech career, particularly programming, presents numerous advantages. Here’s why learning how to change careers into programming at 40 or older is an appealing and practical choice:
- Career Advancement Across Industries: Learning to code is a powerful skill that enhances career prospects in virtually any field. While career options might seem limited as you get older, tech skills unlock doors across diverse industries, all of which rely heavily on technology.
- Increased Earning Potential: Tech roles, such as software engineers, offer competitive salaries. The average annual salary for software engineers in the US is around $93,817. Even entry-level programming positions often exceed pay scales in other sectors, meaning you could potentially earn more as a programmer in your 50s than in your previous career.
- High Demand and Job Security: The demand for coding professionals is robust and growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% growth in computer and information technology occupations from 2020 to 2030, significantly faster than the average for all occupations, ensuring long-term career security.
- Meaningful and Impactful Work: Programming allows you to contribute to innovative projects that have a tangible impact, solving real-world problems and making a difference.
- Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Tech jobs often provide flexibility, including remote work options and flexible hours, crucial for those seeking better work-life balance later in life. A career change to computer science can offer more time for family or personal pursuits like travel.
- Intellectual Stimulation and Variety: Coding careers offer continuous learning and diverse challenges, keeping your mind engaged and preventing burnout – a common reason people consider a career change at 40.
- Future-Proof Career: The reliance on technology is only increasing, making tech skills and programming jobs highly secure and future-proof careers, especially beneficial when considering new careers at 40+.
- Personal Empowerment and Confidence Boost: Reinventing yourself and mastering new skills at 40+ is incredibly empowering. Successfully writing code and creating functional applications provides a sense of accomplishment and a refreshing escape from career stagnation.
Furthermore, starting a career in IT at 40+ can bring unique advantages. Your accumulated life experience, problem-solving skills honed over years, and mature perspective are highly valued in the tech industry.
Ultimately, programming careers are among the best options for retraining at 50 or any age, offering flexibility, strong earning potential, and the chance to build a secure future.
Start coding now. Take the first step towards your career transformation.
Overcoming Common Fears About Changing Careers to Programming
Contemplating a significant life change like switching careers to programming, particularly in midlife, is often accompanied by anxieties. Doubts like “Is it too late to learn programming?” or “Can I really become a coder at 50?” are common.
Let’s address some typical fears associated with starting a new career at 40+ and dismantle the reasons why these fears shouldn’t hold you back from pursuing your programming career aspirations.
Fear of Starting Over: Reframing Your Experience
The idea of starting a new career at 40+ can feel like beginning from zero. However, this perception is far from reality. Your past experiences are invaluable assets.
Regardless of your professional background, you’ve developed essential soft skills and industry-specific knowledge. Combining these with technical programming skills creates a unique and highly marketable profile.
Your diverse background can be a significant advantage, positioning you perfectly for niche roles. For example:
- Teaching background + tech skills: Ideal for EdTech companies.
- Hospitality background + tech skills: Perfect for tech support or software development in the hospitality industry.
Even career breaks, such as raising a family, are viewed positively by many companies, particularly those focused on family-oriented products or services, who value your life experience and insights.
➡️ Hear from a Coding Career Changer on Twitter:
Addressing Ageism in Tech Hiring
Concerns about age discrimination are valid. You might worry about being overlooked in favor of younger candidates. However, many employers recognize the significant value older employees bring to a company.
Susan Ferugio, who learned JavaScript at 50 through MotherCoders, eloquently states, “Why wouldn’t a company want to hire someone over 50?! Our priorities are in order. As moms, we’ve been in difficult situations and have dealt with them, and we really want to do the work.” Mature workers often bring dedication, reliability, and strong problem-solving skills.
Moreover, legal protections like the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) in the US, prohibit age discrimination against individuals 40 and older.
Overcoming Feeling Overwhelmed: Where to Begin
The tech world can seem daunting, filled with unfamiliar jargon and a unique culture. Making a career change to programming might feel overwhelming, regardless of your age.
This is where resources and guidance become crucial. This article provides helpful tips, and exploring websites and communities dedicated to career changers in tech can offer further support and direction.
➡️ Coding Career Changers Sharing Experiences on Twitter:
Managing Time Constraints: Balancing Learning with Life
Balancing a current job, family responsibilities, and household tasks with learning to code is a common challenge. However, effective strategies can make tech training manageable within a busy schedule.
- Consistent Short Study Sessions: Dedicate small blocks of time daily, even just 30 minutes.
- Flexible Online Learning: Choose online courses that allow you to learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
- Identify Peak Productivity Times: Determine when you are most focused and schedule your learning sessions accordingly.
Explore time management techniques and productivity tips from self-taught developers to optimize your learning process.
➡️ Coding Career Changers on Twitter: #DevAfter30
Addressing the Cost of Retraining: Affordable Options
Historically, career retraining was often expensive, requiring significant financial investment. However, changing careers to coding offers numerous affordable pathways that bypass the need for a traditional college degree.
- Free and Low-Cost Online Resources: Numerous platforms offer free or very affordable coding courses.
- Income Share Agreement (ISA) Bootcamps: Some coding bootcamps offer ISAs, where you only pay tuition after securing a paying job.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid: Scholarships specifically for underrepresented groups in tech can further reduce financial barriers.
Consider freelancing to earn money while learning, potentially making your training self-funding as you acquire marketable coding skills.
13 Essential Tips for Changing Careers to Tech After 40
Here are 13 key tips to guide you on your journey of changing careers to programming after 40, drawn from the experiences of those who have successfully made the transition.
1. Dispel the Myth: You’re Never Too Old to Code
The first and most crucial step is to firmly believe in your ability to change careers into programming at 40+. Seek out and absorb stories of individuals who have successfully transitioned into tech later in life. Examples abound, and their journeys are incredibly inspiring.
Luc Constantin, for example, became a web developer at 42, overcoming personal challenges and family responsibilities.
Syk Houdeib, now a front-end developer, entered the world of coding at 39 after diverse careers in music, restaurants, and teaching. He emphasizes, “Time will pass, whether you start now or not. Never think that it’s too late. Once you start the only thing that will stop you is if you stop. If you keep going, you will make it.”
➡️ Find Inspiration from Coding Career Changers on Twitter:
2. Embrace Your Diverse Background: Tech Welcomes All
You absolutely can secure a rewarding tech job without a prior tech background. Syk Houdeib initially doubted his ability to transition, searching for a “special” quality in career changers’ backgrounds that he felt he lacked.
He realized, “There aren’t any ‘special’ requirements to becoming a developer. All the requirements are things that are in everyone’s reach. You have to be willing to work hard, learn a lot, and be consistent. You need to persist when things get tough. Everyone can do these things with a bit of practice.”
Matt Edwards, who became a software developer in his 50s, initially worried about ageism. He discovered the tech world is remarkably inclusive: “if I can do the work and muck in with others, then nobody on the course, or in the wider tech world, would care how old I am.”
➡️ Coding Career Changers from Various Backgrounds on Twitter:
Numerous programs and scholarships actively support individuals from diverse backgrounds in entering tech, promoting inclusivity and opportunity.
3. Acknowledge the Challenge: Persistence is Key
Kevin Smith, who transitioned back to tech and became a React Native developer in his late 40s, emphasizes the demanding nature of the journey. Job searching, in particular, requires patience. He sent hundreds of applications and faced numerous interviews before landing his role.
Kevin advises, “Disabuse yourself of the idea of getting a job fast. There are people that won’t even consider you. But there are also people that will value life experience and wisdom. There are great jobs out there and one has your name on it. But it’s going to take time and work to get to it, and that’s a good thing. If this were easy, everyone would do it.”
Matt Edwards adds, “Whatever your chosen method, you need to be aware that it’s not all sunshine and roses: there will be concepts that you find difficult to grasp and times when you question your sanity and wonder whether you are doing the right thing. Rest assured that everybody goes through it (regularly!).”
Consistency and time management are vital. Make learning a regular part of your routine, even in small increments, to maintain momentum.
4. Leverage Your Existing Skills: Find Your Tech Niche
The tech world is vast, offering diverse roles beyond just development. Explore areas like UX design, data analysis, cybersecurity, technical writing, DevOps, and no-code development.
Your previous career skills can be directly transferable and highly valuable in specific tech roles. Consider how your past experience aligns with different tech career paths.
Debby Alberts, a UX strategist who transitioned to tech at 58, leveraged her extensive background in design and creative fields. She advises, “Leverage your past experience in any way you can. You might be surprised at how much you already know.”
Many individuals have successfully transitioned into tech from entirely unrelated fields, utilizing their unique skill sets to excel.
5. Start with Free Resources: Test the Waters Affordably
Before committing to expensive courses, begin with free or low-cost online resources. Debby Alberts wishes she had explored self-learning options before enrolling in an immersive UX design course.
Matt Edwards started with free online resources, including Harvard’s CS50 course, before investing in a paid bootcamp. This approach allowed him to confirm his interest and aptitude for coding before significant financial commitment.
Utilize the wealth of free coding resources available online to explore different languages and areas within programming, ensuring it’s the right path for you before making larger investments.
6. Experiment and Explore: Find Your Programming Fit
There isn’t a single “right” way to change careers into programming. Experiment with different learning platforms, programming languages, and project types to discover what resonates with you.
Syk Houdeib notes that he, his partner, and a friend all successfully transitioned into tech using very different learning approaches. Personalization is key.
Try free coding tutorials to explore various languages and find what sparks your interest. Once you’ve identified a direction, delve deeper with paid courses, bootcamps, and community groups.
7. Set a Deadline: Create a Sense of Urgency
Setting a deadline for your career transition can provide focus and motivation. Syk Houdeib set a firm deadline for transitioning into a tech role, which helped him stay on track and achieve his goal within a year.
Deadlines are particularly helpful when changing careers at 50+, as they encourage efficient learning and focused effort. Consider shorter, intensive options like bootcamps to accelerate your transition.
➡️ On Twitter: Deadlines for Career Change
8. Build Personal Projects: Showcase Your Skills
Creating your own projects is crucial for solidifying your skills and demonstrating your abilities to potential employers. Tutorial projects are helpful for learning, but personal projects showcase your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Kevin Smith found that interviewers were most interested in his personal projects, not tutorial-based exercises. Your portfolio should highlight your original work and demonstrate your ability to build applications from scratch.
Explore project ideas and consider contributing to open-source projects to expand your portfolio and gain practical experience.
9. Network Actively: Build Your Support System
Nathalie Christmann-Cooper, a software engineer who transitioned to tech in her 40s, emphasizes the importance of community and support. Surround yourself with a network of fellow learners and experienced professionals.
Networking provides emotional support, learning opportunities, and potential job leads. Attend meetups, both online and in-person, and engage with the tech community.
Kevin Smith highlights that many job opportunities arise through networking. Build connections, share your progress, and learn from others’ experiences. Online communities, like the #100DaysOfCode community on Twitter, offer invaluable support and encouragement.
10. Establish an Online Presence: Make Yourself Discoverable
In today’s digital age, building an online presence is essential for career advancement. Create a professional online identity to showcase your skills and make yourself discoverable to potential employers.
Kevin Smith recommends creating a professional portfolio website, LinkedIn profile, and engaging on platforms like Twitter. Your online presence acts as your digital billboard, highlighting your skills and experience.
Optimize your LinkedIn profile and actively network on professional platforms. A strong online presence significantly enhances your job search and career prospects.
11. Let Your Personality Shine: Be Authentic
While professionalism is important, tech companies often value authenticity and personality. Don’t be afraid to let your unique personality shine through in interviews.
For those changing careers at 50+, a more relaxed and personable approach can be advantageous, contrasting with potentially more formal expectations in previous industries.
Kevin Smith found that being personable and engaging in interviews made him memorable, even when he didn’t get the job. Highlight your life experiences and well-rounded personality to stand out.
12. Seek Out Diverse and Inclusive Companies
Actively look for companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion. These companies are more likely to value your experience and diverse perspective, regardless of your age or background.
Research company cultures and diversity initiatives. Utilize inclusive job boards like PowerToFly or Tech Ladies to find opportunities at companies that champion diversity and inclusion.
13. Embrace Lifelong Learning: Stay Current
The tech industry is constantly evolving, making lifelong learning essential. If you’re drawn to changing careers to programming, a passion for continuous learning is crucial.
Kevin Smith emphasizes, “If you don’t love learning, this may not be the field for you. Language specifications change, libraries evolve, APIs get revamped. You need to keep learning.”
Stay updated with industry news, follow relevant blogs, attend conferences, and utilize online learning platforms like Pluralsight to continuously enhance your skills and knowledge.
Introductory Courses for Your Programming Career Change
Ready to take the first step? Here are introductory courses and resources to help you start learning essential tech skills:
Changing careers to programming at any age is a significant undertaking, but it is absolutely achievable and incredibly rewarding. If tech sparks your passion, embrace the challenge and embark on your journey. You are never too old to code or to transform your life.
“You’re never too old to change your life, and if tech is something that ignites a passion for you, you owe it to yourself to give it a go.”
For further inspiration and guidance, explore podcasts and communities dedicated to career changers in tech. Your journey to a fulfilling programming career starts now.
