Should I be programming at my age?

Question

IT education

Good day! Guys, I'm confused. I am now 39. Two years ago I wanted to do programming, then I thought that it was not the age that a programmer is a profession for a young person. And recently, I began to be interested in testing. I saw a couple of videos about testers in the USA and realized that they make good money, that many people of my age start studying from scratch, plus, the tester is still not a programmer. It seems to me easier to be a tester.... Advise whether it is worth doing? For some reason, it seems to me that they say so, but in reality it will be harder to compete with the young. And not every employer will want to hire a person who is 40 and without experience. Sometimes, I think it will be a waste of time, and sometimes - on the contrary, that you need to move forward. There are success stories too. They say that in the USA they take even at 50, because there is a shortage of testers. I understand that the issue is complex and, as they say, with luck, however, I would like to hear the opinion of people who are faced with this area. Thank you!

Answer 1

Better a 40-year-old tester who loves his job than a 20-year-old who needs to be forced to work with a stick. I think it should be obvious.
People in general often become hostages of rules that do not exist in reality. There are only laws of physics, the rest we invent for ourselves.

Answer 2

programmer - a profession for the young

This is discrimination. Moreover, it is no different from sexual or racial.

Answer 3

What can I say? We don't know you.
Yes, you can start at any age - and it can work.
Yes, it might not work.
It all depends on the person how much effort and time you put in. The more, the better the result will be. The obvious things.
The internet is definitely not helping.
There are prejudices that programmers over 40 are not hired. So this is a delusion. For example, we are happy to take progers over 40, they have tremendous experience and great responsibility. It is better to take a 40-year-old than a 20-year-old.
Yes, and my acquaintances, over 40, do not sit without work - they tear off their hands, they take them everywhere easily.

Answer 4

Worth it when it comes to system programming and microcontroller programming.
I really saw a man 55 years old, who led the department of firmware hacks for MK and at the same time wrote himself.
Hold on, you're young. Don't wag your tail.

Answer 5

If they are aimed at the USA, then there is Portnov Computer School in California, which makes testers out of our former compatriots (and not only). As the founder of the school says, they even teach testing to people over 50. Of course, they will not have such a take-off as those who are 20+, for example, but they earn on their bread and caviar. There is a SiliconValleyVoice channel on YouTube - you will definitely be interested in it. It is led by Mikhail Portnov - an experienced testing teacher + migrant to America with 30 years of experience. Good luck!

Answer 6

programmer - a profession for the young

Yes. 40-year-old newbies don't give up on anyone, no matter what anyone says here.

I saw a couple of videos about testers in the USA and realized that they earn good money

They say that in the USA they even take 50, because there is a lack of testers

on YouTube now 99% of shit and 1% - really worthy channels, incl. and IT. Any channel about IT squeals about unthinkable salaries and about the fact that " Google and Apple are waiting for you ."
In fact, in the USA it is not bad for former IT specialists in the role of loaders .

Answer 7

Well, an adult. Why such strange questions.
It is one thing when schoolchildren write who still do not understand how it is at all - to find a job and get a job, who think that professional skills can be obtained at school or at an institute.
And another thing is you, who has already worked, who has seen life.
Nobody will tell you anything useful. No one knows what you are capable of, whether you have enough time, effort, desire and, in general, the opportunity to change your current job.
Yes, from the point of view of the CIS, a programmer can earn decently. But this is an experienced programmer. You generally want to start with testing. 300-400 bucks a month for a junior. If right now, with free English, you earn 300-400 bucks, then maybe. If more, how ready are you to downgrade?
And you don't know how you can do it.
Leave for good in testers?
And for a junior programmer, it will be more difficult and longer, and given the competition ...
In general, it makes no sense to ask philosophical questions on a toaster.

Answer 8

What were you doing before this? If before that there was experience in IT, then definitely go learn.

Answer 9

The question was initially posed incorrectly, what does it mean "is it worth doing?" If you want - do it, you can master it at any age, but it will take more time.
In fact, after reading your comments before sending, I got the feeling that you are generally far from the topic and are flying somewhere. During these 39 years, what have you worked for? What skills do you currently have? What is the work experience?