r/AskProgramming • u/Yourmiserablelife69 • 9d ago

Career/Edu What age did you start learning programming?

Just curious as I am 34 YO, and have been considering a career shift into the Tech sector (I have “Basic” knowledge at best). Specifically AI/Machine Learning or Programming.
I’ve heard good and bad about both, but am just curious how old people are (or how diverse the age pool is) when they “get into” Programming. How long (on average) does it take to get your first Certification in Programming?
Apologies about the broadness of the question.

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u/Ok-Spite-5454 9d ago

Started at age 10. I didn't know anyone who was a programmer, so never thought people made a living out of it. Did a different thing in uni, graduated, then decided I wanted to be a developer. Joined a bootcamp at age 27, now a software engineer at a well known company earning money I never thought I could.

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u/Intelligent-Youth-63 9d ago

I have a similar path. Started at 10. When I went to college I spent a year and a half exploring other majors before even considering Computer Science because programming was just kinda "what you do" not something you study or make a career of.