Starting at square one as a developer, in your 40's?
Tags: beginners, discuss, motivation, ageism
Published: 2020-08-24 18:14:12

The newest dream that I have dared to dream may be my silliest yet, but what's the harm in that?

I recently wrote this article, "In this job market, I just turned down my dream job, was I wrong?" In the first statement I wrote out how I was looking for professional feedback and, since I was, I posted the article first to LinkedIn.

After getting no responses from the writers and contacts that I have grown a small rapport with, I started wondering what was wrong with the article? At first I thought it may be too personal, and that may be true, but I felt it needed to be in order to elicit responses that were actually helpful. Then I started thinking maybe it's the wrong platform, or it's actually not telling enough.

See, what I left out of the article, 
  [ which you can read at this link if you feel like you are a speed-reader or just like really 
  long drawn out ramblings - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/job-market-i-just-turned-down-my- 
  dream-wrong-arthur-fedderson/?trackingId=3cApS9VC3oWuMgzBnjhzdA%3D%3D ]
is that I feel like our dreams and life goals should be allowed to be fluid, that we should be ok with our desires changing, and that if we are going to be a world where we truly stand together and live with real humanity and decency, then we should be allowed the chance to make drastic changes later in life. 

So then, what about the giant elephant in the room. Ageism. Ugh, I get shivers just thinking the word. It's no secret that the tech industry has always been seen as a young person's game. The young seem to have a better ability to adapt and change, and may be better equipped to learn large amounts in short periods of time without bringing old bad habits to the table. Since technology changes so fast, young people seem to be better at being able to keep up with the changes, but is this really true? Is it not possible that slightly older people can succeed just as well if they are given the same opportunities, directions, and expectations? This could very well be a good place to visit the debate but, let me tell, that way lies madness. Just accept that it's wrong, try not to be ageist, and work towards your goals instead. 

Easy for me to say, right?... ugh.

In my article I focused more on WHY I was making a change, and not so much on WHAT the change actually was. In reflection I see that the audience I was poising the question too wouldn't be able to answer without this full context, but I held myself back. In part, this was due to the fact that I VERY often let my written words get away from me. In great part, however, I felt like the audience I was writing to (LinkedIn) wasn't the right audience for where my dream was headed anyway. Perhaps that's why it didn't resonate with anyone.

So, what other avenue can I try and get advice from? Well, that depends on how my dreams have changed, right? I will tell you I stumbled across this community a year ago, and though I have remained a lurker up till now, I have gained so much from this community that I REALLY would like the feedback from you guys!

So then, the dream. I want to be a 100% remote, software/hardware developer with a small side income making videos about being me.

What's so silly about that?

I am just over 41 years old. 
I have next to zero job experience in the industry I'm hoping to enter.
I have next to zero contacts in the industry I'm hoping to enter.
I have a very modest amount of savings to help start up this new endeavor.
Programming languages have never come easy to me.

Well, ok, that sounds pretty bad right? So what do I have going for me?

I literally grew up with Tech.
I used Unix based IBM portable machines when I was only 5.
I still own the VIC-20 that I received with I was 7 years old.
I've built and maintained my own hardware since I was 10.
I've spent the last two years taking online courses to try and gain a baseline of knowledge that might help me get going.
I've decided that this dream is worth fighting for.

Wait a second. That last one there... 
Yep, I just answered my own question. 
Did I make the wrong move? NO.
How can I be so sure? I'm willing to persevere to see it through.

So I guess the answer to trying to be a software developer from square one in your 40's is simple. Yes, it can be done. Yes, you should absolutely go for it. Provided you have the willingness and determination to fight for your dreams, you should be able to change your dreams as much as you need. 

Don't let other people tell you what you can or cannot do. Follow that which fills you with passion, and let the rest sort itself out. 

Applying to go back to school today. Wish me luck!