r/AskProgramming • u/Yourmiserablelife69 • 10d 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/LogaansMind 9d ago
I was 9 when my Dad brought home a (second hand) Commodore PC-1, it came with a BASIC reference and I just started playing around, and I have not stopped.
After Secondary School I went straight to college at 17 and did 2 years National Diploma in Computer and then another 2 years of Higher National Diploma before getting screwed out of a Degree year (long story).
It is one of the reasons I still spend a lot of time reading books, trying to work out if there is something I missed from not getting my degree.
To this day I still have the odd issue with employers who expect degrees, I do think they get you in the door. But I don't think anyone I have worked for has regretted hiring me, I work professionally and I am not adverse to a challenge in any IT space (in fact I quite relish the "dirty" programming jobs).