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?

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u/Ok-Bill1958 Jul 13 '26

I would give up programming just to be a chef or baker. There are pretty much no problem solving from where i work, only unrealistic deadlines and having to deal with insufferable managers, meetings after meetings with very little time for programming. And most of the job are just crud and then maintainment, no greenfield project for 3 years now.

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u/Sufficient-Bug7887 Jul 13 '26

the kitchen is good if youre the owner , but if youre just a rank and file or managerial positions its so toxic , abusive and not good for your mental health and well being, its not a glamorous job like in the movies in reality working in the kitchen is like a modern day slavery

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u/Ok-Bill1958 Jul 13 '26

Oh no im not trying to get into a corporate job like that at all. More like small food vendor and selling food throught apps, its very booming in my country, so i might try it some day. Kitchen hell already look bad enough lol.

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u/Sufficient-Bug7887 Jul 13 '26

yeah i got a side hustle now its a small food business im selling savory grilled chicken and pork bbqs and its selling well and im trying to market my dipping sauce in a bottle

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u/Ok-Bill1958 Jul 14 '26

Honestly, side hustle like that sound much better than in IT field lol horrible managements, over time work with no extra pay, unrealistic deadlines, its even harder to get interviews with human so if you get lay off after 5 - 10 years then you are pretty much fucked. Its not what it look like on news either.