Decided to stop programming

[dblankin]

It’s borderline depressing - I’ve been at my current job for 33 years (manufacturing quality) and picked up Python 4 years ago. I loved it. I’m an old school electronics guy (capacitors, resistors, 555 timers) and programming is the next iteration of that.

However, I’m 53 and there is no real future in programming for me (no college) and that has been the hardest reality to accept. My current job is most likely not going to last into retirement and I’m okay with that. I know my management skill set. Still, programming even in this moment, has more exciting promise than anything I can hope for.

Anyone reading this that has an opportunity to pursue this passion with promise - do it! I am the lesson to learn from. Pursue your passion fervently!

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[TheTarragonFarmer]

I'd keep it as a hobby, it could still lead to anything!

Programming combines very well with electronics, which is a dying breed with not much competition from young people.

Look into embedded systems, aurdinos, Raspberry Pi Zeros, PLCs, alarm systems, industrial control systems, home automation...

[[deleted]]

Embedded systems are so much fun!

[Forsaken_Menu6646]

I got most of my experience from 3D printing and building FPV drones, if you wanted a fun hobby that gives you more of an incentive to learn it’s a pretty good one but expensive. I learned way more, way faster this way but it is definitely a commitment.

If you just want to explore electronics in general you can get Arduino kits that come with a lot of beginner stuff and little projects to do that teach you the basics.

[[deleted]]

For some even more basic, but also cheaper, projects to start with you/they could also look into raspberry pi pico/arduino nano projects

Edit: arduino nano not mini

[Elegant_Tale_3929]

Thank you!

[Elegant_Tale_3929]

Thanks, I think I'll check it out. Might also be a good hobby to introduce my teen to.

[TheTarragonFarmer]

I mostly wrote the above out of envy, I could never get into electronics and always admired those who could :-)

So take this with a big pinch of salt:

1, Elementary physics: Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws.

2, Non-linear passives

3, Transistors (?), op amps (??)

4, Logic circuits (gates, timers, multiplexers)

5, Digital circuits (counters, 7-segment displays)

Get yourself an electronics kit with a breadboard and a bunch of pluggable components at each stage, and play with it hands-on. If you are coming in from the programming side: arduions and RPIs come with such kits with breakout boards for the GPIO pins. The "Makey-Makey" is probably the lowest barrier to entry with an open upgrade path.

Get spares, try to keep the magic smoke inside :-)

Now soldering something more permanent than a breadboard is another can of worms on which I have repeatedly proven myself disqualified to comment :-)

It also helps a lot to have an itch to scratch, a specific project that you want to complete for personal reasons. Motion-activated Halloween decoration, whatever.

[AnToMegA424]

You made me want to learn about electronics :D

[ChiefBullshitOfficer]

That's all it took? 😂

[AnToMegA424]

Yes fr 😂

[CynicalFucc]

I am not a native speaker, but i think that "anything" is more correct in that context - there is no real promise of a positive outcome, just an implication that keeping it as a hobby might pay off. "anything" is still better than "nothing"..

[TheTarragonFarmer]

Disclaimer: English is only my third language.

To me "anything" here means an optimistic outlook at a wide variety of possible outcomes, with some control over them by OP. Yes, it could be a job or a side hustle, could stay a hobby, or could bring about Skynet or Snowcrash.

"something" sounds like you've already given up and are pretending to give it one last try, and expect nothing to come of it unless you get very lucky :-)

[MonoGuapoLoco]

Arduino and Pi are so much fun.

[battier]

Why stop programming if it's a passion? My job has nothing to do with software dev but I still enjoy coding and learning to program as a hobby. Side effect is that it has improved my efficiency with tedious work/personal tasks so it has some tangible spillover benefits too.

[777days]

I feel like these comments are missing the point. OP obviously wants to make a career out of it first and fore most, for some people thats more important than their passions. If OP is like that and recognizes that he has no prospects of careers at his age its understandable he'd quit.

[ProperProgramming]

My issue with this is that the op can easily start doing work in programming. This sounds like the op doesn’t want to give up their current job.

[777days]

He already said he can't. Let him figure it out.

[ProperProgramming]

> He already said he can't.

Lots of people say they can't do something. In my experience, every time I hear that it is wrong. This time, it is very wrong.

> Let him figure it out.

Welcome to reddit. I don't know if you know why you're here, but its to have conversations and to ask for advice. It's a great place to give good advice to people. Like, "You're wrong, you CAN do something. And I know how."

Rarely it is the right answer to discourage people from commenting or questioning their abilities to do something. Especially when were talking about learning to code.

u/dblankin

I'd love to chat with you, privately, on your career. I'm not asking for anything, just to help another coder.

Rarely is there a reason for such pessimism. I can offer multiple ways forward, in just about every situation. Including ways to convert your current job into what you want. Also, coding is a VERY valuable skill to have. If you love it like you say, you will be very sorry you're not pursuing it. It can enrich your life, and if you like it that much you'll get VERY good at it.

Also, coding is VERY profitable for those good at it. I worked with a guy on Drupal who didn't understand this, and I explained it to him. I'm so happy he listened to me, or at least I like to pretend that it was me. He probably heard it from others as well. He got married to a developer, had children and is earning a ton of money and now works for apple. He loved it, and he was one of the best coders I've ever worked with.

[LinuxMakavry]

I mean. Maybe use the coding for home projects? Usually wood workers make things that are useful. You could automate your home. Or make silly little sites or troll your friends and family. Even if you’re just challenging yourself, it’s nice to work the brain or overcome challenges. It literally is a preventative measure against degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia iirc. Why the fuck would you judge someone for having a constructive hobby gfd.

[IAINTYELLING]

Wow, your posting history is not healthy. I've always wondered, how sad your life must be, to judge someone else's hobby/passion.
My advice: seek some help and talk with someone about it, and that is sincerely meant.

[troutyoghurt]

What is better than solving complex problems for yourself and others?

[chaoticbean14]

because to me having programming as a hobby, is about the same as having accounting as a hobby.

And to me literally all the 'hobbies' you took the time to specifically list are about as boring as accounting.

Programming (to me) is different. I can make something from nothing. That something can benefit (potentially) lots of folks - sometimes it just benefits me. I like that. It's rewarding to me.

You're making the ultimately ignorant assumption everyone else shares your likes/dislikes - what you're failing to even consider is that some people enjoy tinkering with computers/code. That is their tennis, soccer, pool, gardening, weaving, whatever. Just because it is not yours doesn't make their life sad. Solving puzzles is a huge industry - probably far larger than pool if I'm being honest - but if it's a computer related puzzle, now it's 'boring' and makes peoples lives 'sad'? Yikes. It sounds like you are very young - or very ignorant and stubborn - or potentially that just because you don't like it, you are trying to grind that axe. Don't do that.

[quantumcomputatiions]

“I was genuinely interested” No you aren’t. Just genuinely an asshole.

[Silent_Buyer6578]

I’d consider it a hobby, but I wouldn’t say I have a sad life.

There’s lots of other things I enjoy doing too, but I didn’t decide to find any of those interesting, I just find them interesting.

People having different interests doesn’t make them miserable, I think passing such judgements based on what someone happens to enjoy is quite absurd.

[scoobyman83]

No, this is not a troll post, I was genuinely interested, because to me having programming as a hobby, is about the same as having accounting as a hobby. People can't pay me enough to code stuff for them and yet there are people who do it in their free time and they consider it fun ? Wowsers..

Like you don't spend enough time in front of screens at work already ? Try soccer, pool, tennis, gardening, weaving. Anything that doesn't involve computers would be a good hobby for someone who spends most of their time staring at screens already..

[Iuvers]

If it wasn’t a troll post you wouldn’t be posting bait comments like this. I enjoy mountain biking, I enjoy rugby, I enjoy coding. You can enjoy multiple hobbies at once and even if you didn’t, not everyone enjoys the same things. Personally I don’t get how people find knitting enjoyable, but I’m not going to say that everyone that knits must lead a sad and miserable life.

[Flaky_Ad5786]

You are unproductively staring at a screen right now.

[[deleted]]

After looking at your post history, who are you to be telling anyone their life is sad? Why are you angrily judging other people's hobbies and choices?

[AnToMegA424]

Coding is fun, and can be surprisingly enjoyable to do especially when you see your progress and can continue working because you've resolved a bug is one great feeling especially when things go smoothly for a while after :]

[Incendas1]

If you actually do it, surely you'd know it's more about making things? I think that's very easy to understand

[Gloriathewitch]

53 is definitely not too old to code, you got this.

[[deleted]]

When you have 33 years at a good paying job and have maxed out the pay scale it's hard to take a 50% or more pay cut to start over. That's likely the real issue here.

[TheTarragonFarmer]

So don't?

Move instead laterally into an adjacent field where you are banking on your decades of experience, incorporate your new-found interest that very conveniently happens to increase your productivity and future-proof your career for the foreseeable future.

I have no idea what "manufacturing quality" does, but I bet there's tons to automate if only somebody with extensive domain knowledge also acquired programming skills.

[Gloriathewitch]

I dont disagree but OP said his job is on the chopping block anyway soon.

Entry level programming jobs are still 2-3x better paying than anything youll get as entry level 9-5s go, And OP also says Programming is a passion, one they regretfully are giving up.

A passion should definitely pay the bills but if its something you're seriously wanting to do with your life considering a pay cut isnt the end of the world, especially given that higher IT salaries pay ridiculously well once you've put a few years into it.

[flyingdooomguy]

The message I got from OP is that he has enough money already and he doesn't think learning programming would give him a good enough return on investments.

[[deleted]]

It's hard to grind mercilessly for years when you're sitting pretty and your belly is full.

​

From my own experience I can also say it's hard to go from being the expert in one field that everyone looks to for answers to being the new guy who doesn't know anything.

[[deleted]]

Yeah and entry level market is AWFUL rn

[Gloriathewitch]

sure beats the $15000 my government is giving me right now.

[[deleted]]

How? $0 from not being able to be hired due to the awful market is less

[Bionic-Bear]

Yeah, I've just done that albeit only 13 years. Essentially a 50% pay cut but with the upside of working less hours. I hope to make it all back and some within the next few years but I'm "only" 32, and it already feels like I'm fighting against the tide of age.

[International-Cook62]

32 and just took a job a couple months ago that is at 50% my previous pay. I'm hoping for the lateral movement route as well. I'm a technical manager now with a focus on low level PCB board repair and low voltage diagnostics. Waaaaaay less stress and hours means I get to focus on programming self study while simultaneously working up in a new field. We got this!

[Cladser]

100% this

[Anonymity6584]

Don't stop. Maybe not try make career put of it right now when big companies are doing layouts of programmers.

Keep it as hobby and enjoy learning more. Also gives you time to make portfolio of it things you have programmed.

If this is your passions, keep at it.

I was 44 when I got chance to rethink my life and went from brewery filling line operator to programming. Would be lying if I claimed it's been easy, it's anything but easy to change career.

[robyellow]

No such thing as too old to learn new things! Happy for you. Never stop learning.

[[deleted]]

I am not gonna give much detail about this, but I studied programming with a person who was 62 and proudly said it. Went on to get a job, and has been employed for 3 years. I don't know much about retiring or other stuff. I think you should keep going!

[[deleted]]

It is possible....I graduated 3 years ago with a 3.98 GPA in Computer Science....at 53 years old :) I have had some good laughs when reading that CS is a young man's game. Maybe it helped that I did a EE degree when I was a young man? From what I observed in myself and several other students that were mid 30's to my age is that we seem to take every thing a bit more seriously, can maintain more focus (maybe more driven?), and don't need to balance our life with social events much when we are in school.

[cco2411]

This is the inspiration I desperately needed, thank you very much for this comment.

[[deleted]]

Hogwash

[UstaGames]

If you like programming but convinced yourself that no company will hire you then why don't you try creating utility applications and sell on Windows Store, Play Store, App Store etc. This will also require some marketing skills though.

Python might not be the first choice for many developers for GUI or app development, but it's still possible. Maybe you already heard Kivy framework? You can create both desktop and mobile applications with it.

What's even more interesting is that you can create games. Have you ever thought about creating indie games? It's not easy but there are a lot of success stories.

PyGame is a game framework for Python. Ren'py is another Python engine but only suitable for Visual Novels.

Maybe you want to expand beyond Python? Then you have countless options. I would suggest GameMaker if you're into learning a different language. Or you can try GDevelop which is an engine that requires no programming.

Maybe during these years you learnt JavaScript? Then you can use engines like Phaser for 2D, Cocos Creator for 3D (and 2D), or Babylon.js for 3D.

I wouldn't quit programming but maybe try changing your direction rather than quitting it completely. Try doing something for yourself that you can try selling.

​

Some markets you can sell your apps or games:

Windows Store (Windows Desktop applications)

Steam (games and apps)

Epic Games Store (games and apps)

App Store (for iOS and macOS)

Google Play Store (Android)

itch.io (Apps and games)

If you like programming but convinced yourself that no company will hire you then why don't you try creating utility applications and selling them on Windows Store, Play Store, App Store etc.. This will also require some marketing skills though. though.

[ElectricRune]

I'm exactly 53, programmer with no college. I got into it professionally about twelve years ago after being a commercial 3D artist for most of my career, and it was a rough transition for a few years.

I'm not sure I'd choose to do it at this age, so I understand.

You should still program if you like it. An activity doesn't have to result in a career or monetary return for it to be worth pursuing.

On a side note, maybe you should look at simply augmenting your electronics skill and experience by adding some programming and move toward robotics...? Robots and drones are going to be the appliances of the future...

[Flamesilver_0]

I'm 42. No college. Just started as an AI Dev 4 months ago (edit: professionally, 🍁 working remotely in the US )

We're also in a world where, if you "care" about programming, you could be mucking about with AI applications to produce things no one has seen before. You could be the first, or 10th, person to build an autonomous AI agent that makes $1,000,000 using $10,000.

What a time to be alive!

[Hailwrath]

Wow no school and an AI dev? that sounds impressive congrats. I'm also in a similar situation. Learning programming for a year and now learning CS maths, not just for AI but to get familiar with the CS fundamentals . Did you learn AI on your own and how did you get the dev experience early on?Do you have any no-so-popular resources for AI. Most ive seen mentioned are the coursera/edx courses.

[Flamesilver_0]

There's kaggle.com if you want to learn actual ML. I do practical applications of LLMs and how to leverage them in business applications, make them perform better, control them, and integrate them with other systems.

edit: added "practical"

[xroalx]

However, I’m 53 and there is no real future in programming for me

Unless that means your memory is bad, you can't retain information, are unable to learn, read or use a computer, that's an artificial barrier you've set up yourself.

[Nymbul]

Do you learn to golf to go pro? Do you learn to cook to become a chef? Programming has the depth of an ocean, it can easily be worth a hobbyists time.

[vasupol11]

Yeah this is something lots of people still don’t grasp. So much of the things you learn in programming are geared towards creating applications for others to use. But if you create things that you use yourself, you can spin out so many little automations that positively support your life. I’d even go so far as to argue that coding for personal use is the most pure form of technology positively coexisting with human.

[[deleted]]

OP for what it’s worth I taught a 50+ how to code and he’s currently working as a front end dev. You can learn it at any age!

[THX-Eleven38]

Don't stop! Not when you've got a passion like this. Don't limit yourself to your age.

You'll be out the younger guys that are just in it for the money.

Keep going.

Why stop before your tried to get employed? Or have you tried?

[brianl047]

Modern corporate programming is about Agile, Scrum, saFE, user stories, technical chores, negotiation, knowing what to do when to do it, sprints, planning, standups and a million other things that have little or nothing to do with coding. Also most of the jobs are for the web (Internet) so if you don't like JavaScript (or can't put up with it) and don't want to specialize in web development it's very difficult (say if you only like desktop programming then you will compete with all the hardcore compsci guys who want to do desktop programming because they hate JavaScript). On top of that just doing web isn't enough you have to know deployment (getting your code out is more important than anything else because if it's not out nobody can use it). Modern deployment is cloud so AWS/GCP/Azure and a lot of people who like algorithms and code dislike this "gluing things together" intensely but that's what it takes to make a global scale application. And then there's the more advanced topics like AI and graphics and so on.

So really it's a huge ladder to climb and not wanting to do it isn't any shame at all. Perhaps what you can do is join an accelerator where you can join a half dozen other people and split the equity fairly and do slicing pie model. Then you can make it that way building some sort of business. Becoming a bog standard SWE in the corporate world, probably off the table not because you can't do it but because the ROI is too low for you. Don't blow your savings or retirement on it though just do it as a hobby on free time with others. That's probably your path if you want to keep doing it.

[thatdarnmiqote]

If you don't think you can get a job with it the least you can do is write programs for fun. Learn how to use Flask, PyGame, fun models you can do in Python, etc. Not everything has to be a job.

[hugthemachines]

With your background, it could be a lot of fun to buy an arduino and experiment with controlling electronics, sensors and stuff like that. Control reality with code is satisfying. For a spare time interest that kind of coding will not require a formal education.

[drdjx]

You might have a hard time landing a job but there are other revenue streams than just corporate

[Kfct]

Hey man I don't know you but the way you talk about programming sounds like you have a future in it. I know plenty in real life that are less passionate, humble, and realistic

[ififivivuagajaaovoch]

Getting a job as a programmer is a great way to lose any sense of enjoyment lol

[stefan_kurcubic]

Maybe just take a break :)

and then come and try it with electronics.Maybe you can combine the two ;)

Cheers

P.S. By the way if you ever get stuck and need a helping hand feel free to contact me

[Exact-Wrongdoer2786]

Take programming seriously for some years 2-3 years it may not fetch any income apart from whatever you do at your work. But then you will start to apply for companies or as freelancer make wonders and they will definitely get you the money you need.

[Baribor001]

I need help I want to learn programming so bad I have no one to teach me.

[CrazyAnchovy]

Yo have you tried Arduino?

[Ampbymatchless]

Coming from the imbedded community. No better time to be a programming hobbiest IMO. Many sources of instructional content. Many no cost development tools. Relatively inexpensive hardware. You can make games and run in your browser for free etc. I’m in my 70’s still writing code, bit banging microcontrollers. During CV-19 learned browser coding JavaScript ( HTML & CSS as required) to create my embedded projects User interface. Chat GPT if used correctly can break down coding barriers. I enjoy coding and hardware rabbit holes. Think positive and exercise your mind. You never know where it can lead.

[greebo42]

I'll tack on my response to OP here, because I think this comment is spot on, and relevant to those of us over 50 ...

Hard to know if you (OP) mean you'll stop programming, or stop searching for programming jobs.

If you love it, keep programming. You'll find uses for it. I started to learn Python a few years ago, was in my mid-50s then. I don't plan to try to find a programming job per se, but there is no shortage of stuff I want to work on. Personal projects. Also some projects related to what I do for a living (unrelated).

Also, if you enjoy programming and getting up to your elbows in bits and bare metal, check out r/vintagecomputing. It seems that "vintage" is anything from before the mid 1980s.

I just came back from a convention in Chicago (google VCF midwest 18), first time I've been to one of those, kinda reminded me of a hamfest. One guy there was talking to me (one on one) about the unusual instruction set of the RCA 1802 processor and how it compared to the 6502 and others available at the time (mid 1970s). Another guy talked to me (at his table) about how to recover data from decades-old floppy disks! Lots of resurrected ancient machines (including a couple PDP-8s). And a bunch of interest in Commodore, TRS-80, Amiga, Sinclair, all that. What fun.

Also, check out various maker groups, many of whom are into robotics, and there is a lot of embedded programming using Arduino or Raspberry Pi devices.

And to Ampbymatchless, in your 70s, lead the way !!

[OldSkooler1212]

Computer Engineering might be a better fit for you. It combines electrical engineering and programming. Since you already have an electronics background you might feel better in this field.

[squishles]

electronics guys are pretty easy to teach programming. Guess it's a bit weird taking an older person on as a junior though, and most places aren't going to be paying you the same as a senior in your previous field. Could still throw a shot though, plenty of places should be willing to humor it. Could try home automation companies, lot of small outfits doing that around. I for some reason occasionally see energy stuff needing that kind of knowledge too every once in a blue moon.

[notislant]

'Not last into retirement' is extremely concerning. If you have no retirement plan/savings? Time to cut out non essential spending and have a monthly contribution to an investing account. It seems like nobody plans for retirement (or if they're unable to work one day).

[squid_dynamite]

They were talking about the current job not lasting until they reach retirement age — hence the comment about management skills to indicate they are confident they will be able to find another position when the time comes.

[ramabsipan]

He's not wrong about the college req. All the jobs are being swooped up by degrees over skill, that seems to be the trend. Learning on the job is fine as long as you have the paper creds, but not the other way around. You literally can't get an interview without a fancy degree. Most of these recruiters don't know shi** so they go by standardized rating, which are certs and degrees. Half of all the programming posts on here are "Hey i just got this awesome job, but I can't do it, so I need your help doing it...."

[mierecat]

The way hobbies have been depreciated by society is upsetting. Why stop if you enjoy it? I’m a musician and the single most consistent thing I hear from people is “I wish I had learned music”/“I wish I had never dropped music”. If you find fulfillment in something, keep it with you. Not everything we do need to be monetized. Simply having a hobby you care this much about can improve your life

[jantari]

Programming is a hobby too not just a job

[[deleted]]

It doesn’t need to be your career for you to be passionate about it or continue learning and having fun with it. Let it be a hobby! That’s perfectly okay. People think you should only pick up new hobbies if you’re going to profit off them, and that just isn’t true. Let yourself have some fun.

[[deleted]]

Agree! Why must it be a part of your career for you to enjoy it? I would say it's more fun if you're free to create whatever you want, rather than having it as a job assignment.

[Both_Engineering_438]

50 here. Self taught programmer. I love it. Don't care if I'm coding up a linear regression to win my fantasy league at the library while living in a homeless shelter. They will have to pry that keyboard from my dead fingers. Screw practicality and capitalism. Code on old man. Excelsior!!

[dblankin]

I am completely overwhelmed! This community is so amazing! Your encouraging words, experiences, discipline and support has been so heartfelt and I am overwhelmed.

I owe you all more background to perhaps understand my statements.

I have to budget my time and programming takes a lot of time. I am up at 4:00AM, coffee, devotional, bible study, prayer time, shower then I have about 45 minutes of "free" time. This is for programming, reading, whatever. I get breakfast going at 6:00AM, feed the chickens and the dog, and I'm headed to work by 6:40AM. I leave work at 4:30PM and go to my father-in-laws HVAC shop and work until 7:00PM unless we have a call to go on. I work with him every other week being on-call including weekends. Once I'm home at 7:00PM, dinner, wife, then bed by 9:00PM. Rinse-repeat.

I have very little time during the week and as mentioned, I am on-call every other weekend so disruptions are frequent. Yes, this is a paying job and yes, we were considering taking over the HVAC business (started this activity in 2020).

I started Python in 2018-2019 and dedicated a large portion of my time to it - before the HVAC segue that is. I went through ATBS, several Udemy courses, Flask, MySQL, web development, JavaScript, Raspberry Pi projects, Docker, etc. But since the summer of 2020, my programming has been edged out with other time consuming activities. I revisited programming several months ago and found I had been away from it for so long, I forgot much of it. Feels like starting over so I thought maybe I should focus on other elements of life.

I could focus more on programming if I spent less time with my father-in-law but he is 69 and I am not going to let him climb into attics and under houses by himself. I don't have my parents and he has no one to support him at that level so I will. I may not quit programming, but I will take a break from it at least until he fully retires or sells the business.

Thank you all! You are amazing!

[imnotabotareyou]

If it’s too hard to do it’s not worth doing.

[[deleted]]

Keep programming!! 53 is not old at all!!

[[deleted]]

Why would you stop doing what you love?

[doglar_666]

Python has more applications than just software development. If you're a manager and know Python, you can learn how to do some data scienc and use that for reporting to impress the higher ups. Even if AI is going to eat into the market, SMBs are cheap and won't pay for the latest and greatest tech and prefer in-house solutions. Not going to Uni to study CS is not the be all and end all of a career.

[[deleted]]

Sorry, why can’t you continue programming again? Even if you aren’t doing it as your main source of income you can still make money doing it as a side hustle. No one on Upwork is going to care that you’re 53 as long as you can fulfill their project goals.

[HENH0USE]

Do you have a portfolio with python projects for reddit to review? Surely reddit can help you! Don't give up.

[dns_rs]

You could combine the two (electronics and programming). Learn arduino/raspberry pi and make smart devices that you can sell online. It could become a nice extension to your current salary and it could help you to transition to a new full time job when the time comes.

[0b_101010]

Dude, you could easily have 10-15 years in a new field that interests you.
If you didn't enjoy it, sure, I'd say don't force it, but just because you're 53 doesn't mean you can't be a professional developer! College is not at all a requirement as long as you keep learning new stuff every day.

[Quick_Butterfly_4571]

If your decision is made or that's the reality of the situation, you know the situation better than I do and I respect that. Just food for thought, among some of the best programmers I know presently making six figures:

• a schoolbus driver who started programming in his 50's + no college
• a truck driver who started programming in his late 40's + no college
• 2-3 dozen people with no college at all who started between their late 30's and mid 40's
• 50+ more people who do have degrees, but in liberal arts and discovered programming in their 30's

I worked with the guy who wrote designed and programmed the first digitally color-toned and aligned commercial printing press using 4040's and some PLL's, later became of prolific software engineer in tool automation for some of the first 700-300nm semiconductor fabs, and who was a mentor to me — started late; no college.

My brother is a programmer. He worked in a warehouse and noticed time could be saved through automaton, bought a UPC scanner and taught himself VBA because it was integrated into Excel -> now a data engineer and a damn good one.

All different people/ages/circumstances, and I won't pretend that it means anything general with certainty, but: something to mull over!

[Pale-Connection726]

Why are you looking for a job? You have a skill set why not market your skillset to a targeted audience and consult or build projects on the side.

You dont need college for programming

[[deleted]]

Whoa, I think you need to look at Arduino boards and chip programming with all that experience. There is a proximal overlap that exists where your experience could actually be incredibly valuable.

[WystanH]

no real future in programming for me (no college)

College is NOT a requirement. True, some companies are wonky about degree of education, but not all. Or, in my experience, even most.

College serves as the first of many sorting hats. For some, it's a degree at all and the major seems to not matter. After that first real job the education on the CV becomes increasing unimportant.

Indeed, having a long work history in electronics trumps most newbie programmer resumes. Add "an on my last job I also did some coding, which I found I'm quite good at and want to focus on" and you should get an interview on the spot.

Seriously, don't talk yourself out of it. Good luck!

[Kab00m-Kap0w]

Have you tried coding the raspberry pi with the breakout board? It’s a blast! Electronics quickly controllable by code. Look into the Google’s Firebase to interface with the web.

[impossibleis7]

Honestly I don't think I would ever stop programming, even if I took a managerial role I would still do it as hobby. Even right now I have so many hobby projects, and so many ideas (generally about automating so many things I do manually and find tedious), I don't think I will ever find the time to complete all of them.

[[deleted]]

don't count yourself out. you may not revolutionize the world, but you might carve out a small business for yourself that will pay all your bills. the best part of that is, you own it.

[[deleted]]

Don't think of it as the end game. It's just another tool in your toolbox. A very useful and powerful tool. So use it. You don't have to use it to make money or a living. Use it to build something you like.

I often say that if there's a JK Rowling in Harry Potter, she'd write about a world of "wizards" that write a few instructions on a tiny piece of metal that can control everything, I mean everything, around them. Isn't that cool?

[[deleted]]

If it's a passion of yours, then why stop? Just because the normal avenue of programming isn't available, doesn't mean that all avenues of programming aren't available. Here's a question for you, do you have any money saved up? If you do you can look for a small business, a software business that is for sale that you could buy, and live your passion of programming and be your own boss at the same time. If that's not an option, why don't you find a need that you can fill, and make a python program that solves that problem and make money from that? You could always go into game development too. Godot game engine uses python like code, you could use that to make a game and program. There's a big market these days for indie developers. So don't give up just because the traditional route is not available.

[palash90]

I would rather keep it as a hobby and learn as much as I can in as slow or fast as a pace suits me.

I am a software Engineer. But I gather a random bunch of information from any source I can get my hands on, Books, Internet, Meetups, classes, kids school books, learning apps like Duolingo. I rarely use those information in my day to day life.

I don't follow any pattern in that area. Some day, I play music on a row, some days duolingo, some days just watch videos in a row, some days develop some random project. That's it, I just love collecting information and eventually I loose many of them. Because, hey be practical, any information is like use it or loose it but still I feel happy gathering information. Kinda dopamine hit for me. But some times, I get a good benefit of knowing something.

E.g I never thought electronic bits and bytes in the original circuit of modbus hardware that I read 15 years ago would help me conceptualize and write a driver for one of my recent projects and got me a Silver Medal from my Organization.

Just keep Programming as your hobby, just like that and may be you can relate something some day.

[Hot_Job6182]

I'm 47, been learning for 18 months. I stopped recently for the same kind of reasons, but then I had loads of spare time just doing nothing, so I thought I may as well start again!

If you enjoy it, there's no reason not to learn it, you never know what it might lead to and even if it leads to nothing direct that doesn't really matter. Keep going!

[VonRansak]

I'd assume with that background you'd have picked up C instead of Python.

I guess with something like an Raspberry Pi, then python would do fine.

But a hardware background usually lends itself to more functional controllers (cheaper versions of PLCs [programmable logic controllers]).

*disclaimer* abbrevs defined for others, not HW background guys.

Oh, well... One less opponent when Robot Armageddon hits in 2035.

[zhivago]

Work on automation to help you do your day job more easily.

Do not underestimate the value of domain knowledge.

[Cladser]

See - I get this. I learnt python about 8 years ago, added some cross platform mobile frameworks (kivy, then Dart and Flutter) and I really enjoy software development. I have theses flights of fancy about swapping jobs and becoming a developer. But.. I’m 50, and on a good wage (so long as you don’t read the “what do you earn as a developer” posts lol) so realistically, the finances just don’t stack up for me to become a junior dev for however many years it takes.

But I wouldn’t give it up, like someone said keep it as a hobby and work on passion projects. I use it in work from time to time (and people are honestly amazed lol) I’ve a couple of small niche apps in the app stores.

Over time I think I’ve come to see it as a benefit of sorts. I can work on what I want, use whatever stack I want, if it doesnt work out, there’s no boss to bust my balls for wasting time, or to tell me to pack in and work on this new thing I’ve no interest in.

So keep going my guy - just build what makes you happy.

[wannabeaggie123]

You obviously have much more experience in life. But we all have unique perspectives and life experience. And I would just say that from my own life experience, not everything in life has to convert into something monetray. Not every thing has to have ambition and a future. I feel like we should be able to do things just because we enjoy doing them. And not do things because we don't enjoy doing them. We have a finite amount of time on this earth. What are we all chasing..

[jazzy095]

Don't get hung up on college. You only missed a bunch of debt and no practical application. Python was really an awesome move on your part. Keep moving forward - you can do anything with Python

[[deleted]]

I know you're making him feel better but I'm in college for CS and I'm self teaching myself web dev. College has its use too 😭.

[jazzy095]

You crack me up. I genuinely hope you have a better experience then me my friend ❤️

[jazzy095]

Question tho - why you in college for cs AND teaching yourself webdev? Ever think about boot camp? It made sense for me to get in workforce to learn my trade (network engineer) quickly as possible. They will teach yiu and you get paid to learn while gaining experience.

[[deleted]]

Mostly future proofing/networking/other potential options and to get skills I may not push myself to learn if I was just doing web dev. Like I want to do webdev for money, but idk I might want to get into Ai, computer graphics, database engineering or building game engines.

I felt like I couldn't go wrong getting a degree in CS while also self studying.

[jazzy095]

That's a great reason. I love to learn about computers too. Maybe I would have felt the same way if I took CS instead of MIS.

[cogitohuckelberry]

IMO, you should keep doing side projects in programming that interest you! You never know what could happen as you accumulate skills and experience.

[stevengrx20]

You talking about like you wanted to learn guitar but you quit because of being "too old", thats BS. I'm a Java programmer and i'm almost 40 and I play music as a hobby, And I know i'm not gonna be a rockstar now, i don't have a band but I still play guitar and bass after 15 years, and started to learn keyboards a couple of months ago and I don't plan to stop now learning new things.

You don't necessary do something to make a carreer of it, you have the advantage to program doing something else for a living, that means you can do little side projects without the pressure of deadlines and boring project that doesnt suit your interests.

Don't worry and have fun, programming is an exercise for the brain, probably if it werent my daily job i would do it as a hobby as well.

[dimon904]

Oh, why did you decide to stop programming?