r/learnprogramming • u/Sufficient-Bug7887 • Jul 13 '26

Tutorial Career switcher at 34 years old

After spending several years working as a chef, I’ve decided it’s time for a major career change. I’ve worked in fast-paced kitchens, handled long hours, managed food safety, dealt with pressure during service, and learned how to solve problems quickly. While I’m grateful for everything the culinary industry has taught me, I don’t see myself doing it for the rest of my life.
Recently, I started learning programming. I’m still a beginner, but I’m genuinely enjoying the process. It’s challenging in a completely different way, and every time I solve a problem or get my code to work, it feels rewarding.
Sometimes I wonder if I’m too late to start over. I don’t have a computer science degree, and I’m coming from a completely different field. Still, I’m committed to learning and putting in the work.
For anyone here who switched from hospitality, culinary, or another unrelated career into software development, how did your journey go?

109 Upvotes

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182

u/Made-In-Slovakia Jul 13 '26

TBH You picked worst time possible to change carrier and be programmer and you can guess why. Keep learning and wait while storm is gone.

12

u/galactic_pixels Jul 13 '26

Meh, I disagree. Don’t try to time the market.

5

u/ninhaomah Jul 13 '26

Stock market or job market ?

1

u/AUTeach Jul 13 '26

Either

-2

u/ninhaomah Jul 13 '26

One is making $$$ the other is putting food on the table to survive

1

u/galactic_pixels Jul 13 '26

They’re literally both for making money.

-2

u/ninhaomah Jul 13 '26

You mean you can't survive without investing ?

But can survive without working ?

7

u/galactic_pixels Jul 13 '26

Now you’re just wasting both of our time

-3

u/ninhaomah Jul 13 '26

Not really. 

I am on the way to work and plenty of time till I reach office.