Holy smokes guys, I was not expecting anywhere near this much viewership or sub's from this video. This was just my 'get the first video where I show my face out of the way' effort. Clearly there are a lot of us trying to make a comeback/course-correction/career change and you guys seem to really relate to some of the feelings I was trying to express here. Thank you so much for all the kind words...I'm kind of blown away. I have over 500 subs now! New video very soon. ALSO, I finally get the comments about the people tap-dancing or me tapping my foot or whatever after putting in some headphones that can hear bass. My dog chewing on the bone is traveling through the floor to the phone. Knew there was some noise but didn't hear the bulk of it because I wasn't wearing headphones when I check the audio before uploading. SORRY! Listen on laptop speakers for the least annoyance.
Doing anything is good measure in this murky economy. Study or work whereever is fine.... as long as you save some money and invest it. You can invest in s&p or hisa since interest rates are so high.
Thanks for posting this. As a 31 year old dude whose inner voice is (unfortunately) heavy on the "I'm behind" narrative, this is a glimmer of hope that I can find something. It's also nice to not feel totally alone in this fight.
Me too man. Me too. But it's exciting isn't it? The fear? I'm kinda glad I waited to 30. I had a rough upbringing and it feels like I only now have a fully formed adult brain. I finished hs but no college and I am so ready. Im doing tech/IT as well. I got a network+ and a+ book. I read the A+ cert book 5 times and still not enough. You can do it! We can do it! It's better that we waited. Slow and steady wins the race
No way! I went back to school in my 40's to change careers, best decision ever. and now I am thinking about going back to school to become a lawyer when I start getting my retirement check at 62. Never too old.
Currently 37 and I have 1.5 more years until I get my degree in finance. I love to see stories like yours. Congratulations on figuring out what you wanted to do, and thanks for your service.
Be well. I just turned 30 and I'm going back for my second degree. I will be studying business as of September 2024 and hope to major in finance! God bless
@dodo5257-v3f yeah man. My first degree was in the social sciences. Thankfully, I am working in a government job, but I dislike it and don't see myself doing it for 7+years. Currently, 3 years in. Never to late brother. Work hard. I wish you all the best.
I just went back to school for my BS degree in information technology at the age of 45 and after being out of school for more than a decade. You are never too old to learn however, if you think that you are too old to learn, you won’t learn. Where the mind goes, the person follows. The only person who can stop you is you.
are you finished with school or have a job? i consider getting info tech degree or comp sci but am unsure. I want to be in cyber sec one day or maybe code, i have never done it before
I feel seen. I'm 36 years old now, pursuing a CS degree, expected to graduate in two years, so I'll be about the same age as you are now when I'm done. Like you, I felt the weight of aging into my thirties without much of a career to speak of (I was a struggling musician and music tutor) and decided to take the financial hit of going back to uni. We have universal education where I live (in principle, at least), so I don't have to pay tuition, but like you said, lost wages matter. I'm glad it worked out for you, that makes me hopeful that I'll get a good chance as well. Still haven't landed that internship, still trying.
I am 36 and just graduated in 2023 with a CS degree from a school in the top 20. I have worked for a Fortune 500 company since graduating, and just accepted another offer for a position at a Fortune 100 company. Your life experience will be viewed as a BIG value add to a lot of companies.
keep pushing brotha, im finished my cs degree with 35, started at 31. you can do it. dont let society tell you you are too old. what would an 80 year old tell you? so keep pushing brotha.
I'm 41 and I just started school as a neuroscience major. It's the first time in my life I know exactly what Im supposed to be doing. It's never too late! Love hearing stories like this, helps keep me motivated:)
I am 33 and should finish this semester if I can handle seven classes. I was hoping to find something. I have had trouble finding an internship, so I am pretty worried. Thanks for putting this out there. It's nice to hear I am not alone.
Learning never stops - even old skills like building Egyptian pyramids need an update to the new kind of cement. Great you got that job - the struggle is real. Genuine curiosity counts for a lot.
I’m going to be 32 this year. By the time I graduate I’ll probably be about 35. It’s cool hearing other “old folk” deciding it’s never too late to pick up and go. Remember to compare yourself to you yesterday. That’s the true measure of improvement and success. Comparing to others is never an accurate measurement because you don’t see the bad they’ve gone through, and you don’t know what experiences you’ve had that they have missed out on.
"Remember to compare yourself to your yesterday" is the female equivalent of "you're special just the way you are. Hug yourself every day". No, compare yourself against the people that you'll be competing against. Reality matters more than self-flattery, Timmy.
Who are we competing with? People that had a better hand dealt to them? Sure, if you want to be miserable all your life, then go ahead and look and wonder constantly why you aren’t where someone else is. Why aren’t you as smart, good looking, talented, wealthy, etc. That’s real good for the mental health. When you wonder why you can never measure up to anyone and develop constant imposter syndrome, then go ahead and give up because you’ll never outpace someone that’s had years upon years of a head start that is still continuing to grow. Let’s not worry about the most anxious depressed society developed by technology that has everyone constantly comparing themselves to other people. But look at all the good it’s done… man. Get out of here with your false bravado, thinking that the rat race is what the good shit is.
@@pearlsswine Even from a utilitarian point of view there's no need to compare yourself to others if you simply continue to develop your skills each and every day. Pretty lame, condescending, wanna-be tough guy comment on your part.
Got my BS in electrical engineering at 30 and eventually moved into software development and embedded systems in the companies for which I worked. Now, seven years post-degree, I do SW full time. I find SWE is much more rewarding than pure EE, especially for those who get bored easily.
I did ECE, and it was sort of an academic disaster, still ended up with a low paying dev job. On even days, I regret not doing CS, and on odd days I'm longing to go back to that hardcore stuff in ECE (which I found interesting but got overwhelmed as I found ECE a bit hard. I'm 25, and my peers seemed to have life all figured out. Oh, and did I tell you about my interest in Mechanical engineering (the elegant creativity in mechanisms for instance).
Crazy, I just turned 30 and graduating next year (started at 25) for a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering. Started out in Life Sciences when I was 18, but ended up not liking it.
I’m 40 and just beginning my journey. No previous college degree. It’s tough. I’m majoring in physics and CS. My eye is on a PhD but scared of the opportunity cost. I’m working poor only making 30k - 36k annually.
@@jroseme it’s been rough to say the least. All the preparation I did before entering college barely helped me, lol. Hard to know what you don’t know. But it can happen to anyone. I just stay motivated and keep my eyes on the prize.
In Asia especially my country, people at my age just want to marry, have kids, have a normal job, kinda like a standard in the late twenties. I'm turning 28 this year, I left my marketing job last year (it was well well-paid job in a multinational corporation, compared to the market range tho) I have been learning about data science and still planning to get a decent edu this year). My parents and relatives always tell me that I'm crazy. Tbh I feel frustrated sometimes, but your video just boosted up my faith again. I guess it's never too late to learn something new, and only we know what is good for us. Definitely admire people like you, and I believe you are on the right way!
@@notrealfroggen3020 Im glad you’re following your own plan. That must be hard to feel that pressure from your family. I hope you don’t let it get to you to much, they probably think theyre being helpful in their own way.
Appreciate you sharing your experience, man. I’m 38 and I got my bachelors degree about 10 years ago in my late 20s and let me tell you, you are not late. Better late than never. Life happens to us all in many different ways. Keep doing what you’re doing!
This is why I want to push for school later in life- it really does change your life, and there's so much more emotion and focus invested. There's just so much wisdom and understanding that comes with the age. You notice how happy and excited folks are in the comments? not compare that to a 20 something, the mindset is completely different. Best believe these corps see this.
Hey man, made me feel better, I'm going for my cs degree at 27 and I wont be finished until 31 but it is what it is. Life doesn't stop just cuz I studying and 4 years will pass regardless so I rather have a degree.
I was 38 when I graduated with a bachelor of fine arts. I then went on to earn a masters degree and graduated with that at the age of 44. Don’t give up, it’s worth it.
I just graduated 28 from comp sci , it was weird going to uni as an older student but I made so many friends and the classes were so diverse from 18-50+ and I made friends with people of all ages
@@levi-nn7ce Awesome! Congrats and Im glad you had a positive experience as an older student. I should have been more social during my time there for sure.
The timing of this video is amazing, I'm 24 this year and about to matriculate into a tech degree similar to CS in less than a month. I will also be 28 by the time I graduate and seeing and watch these videos are so encouraging ❤
@@ianhecox90 you’re so young honestly there were 30 and 40 year olds on my course. What I realised is sitting in the fence and letting time pass whilst you do nothing is also a decision that has consequences so the fact that you are doing something that is an investment in your future long term is the right thing to do
I did this but in my mid to late twenties with nursing. There were people in my class in their 50’s. It’s never too late to change careers. Work sucks, but I look at my friends who never went farther and are stuck working menial jobs with low earning potential. You have a lot to be proud of! Congrats
I also graduated in CS at 39 after running some businesses in the past in web design, English teaching ect...I communicated with many fellow student who were also our age and some even older so its fine and the future is bright...people change career, life happens. Stay positive everyone!
Military veteran here. I just got out after 12 years in and I got accepted into a top 15 school for CS. Now I'm drowning in some advanced math thats so far off into the weeds. I needed this video!
I'm so stoked for you. All you have to do is pass. Do not get caught up in a perfectionism trap or feeling you're not good enough because you're struggling! I wish some of my classes were more rigorous at my school because I feel like a fake for getting an 'A' with the amount of effort I put in. Keep with it, retake a class if you have to, you got this.
Thanks man. This really resonated. I'm 45 no debt and made money from 10 years of working and flipping houses but been out of paid work over a year and ready to invest in myself. I am on the fence about school as well and have had lots of gaps in my resume with travel time etc. You said it right there, going back later in life (i fear) I'll get the times where you feel like something of a failure even though it's not the reality. I would definitely say given your story, you are definitely not a failure & the only way you truly fail is if you give up. Good on you brother and best of luck!! Please continue to make content in this space -- there are lots of us Gen Xers that are in the same boat
bro your story is almost identical to mine. prior air force, tried a lot of jobs and nothing really stuck. then I had a bunch of really long gaps where I was trying things out like starting a business, side hustles, youtube etc.... but in terms of my resume, it looked like I just wasn't working. i taught myself to code in my mid 30's, finally got a job as a frontend developer, did that for 2 years. and then switched over to the product/business side. i now make more money than I ever have, I don't have to code and life is good. I'm 38. I love your story, just keep going and never quit.
I'm a 32 year old Marine veteran with an AA degree and a BA degree. I'm currently pursuing another BA in health information management, which is essentially IT for the healthcare field. Thank you for sharing your video; it might have helped someone. Lastly, putting your ego out the door is essential. Still working on it but it’s getting better. 👍
I’m 33 and just starting at a community college, so maybe we will finish schooling around the same age! But you definitely got this, making some good money and living life easier before you are really old! GOODLUCK
This has inspired me to go back to school in my 30s, thank you. Nice hair, by the way. Good thing you had that friend to let you live with them, they probably saved your life. Congrats on your job!
I'm in a similar boat. Self taught web developer with some years of work experience, but with year-long gaps between. Turning 36 in august and going for a statistics/ML masters. Got a bit saved up to last me for the 2 years of this program, but I'm having dreams every night now, questioning if this is the right decision and feeling left behind in life.
@@keepfeatherinitbrothaaaa I think thats an excellent choice for a grad program and having a practical knowledge of statistics has soooo many applications. Cant see how this wont pay off for ya. That feeling behind stuff cuts deep sometimes, and obviously its best not to compare ourselves to others…but just channel it into your work ethic. And try and stay thankful for all the things that are going well.
is ML stand for machine learning? im interested in that and comp sci/ info tech degree. Any advice for someone looking to get into that or cyber sec one day?
great video. i was paralyzed in a car accident a few years ago and decided to get a CS degree, just finished last month. the bad is that my degree is from WGU, so i’m sure employers wont love that. the good is that vocational rehab is helping me search, and one thing they offer is to reimburse an employer for the first two months to give me a trial run. i’m sure the search will be tough, and ill probably need an internship, but if i just wind up at a help desk one day it still beats living off social security.
@@ayftb6558 yeah definitely leverage all the resources you can. Work with your career counselor at the school as well to figure out who your previous alum got hired into. I don’t think the branding is the biggest deal in the world unless you’re trying to go to work in a totally different area than you went to school. I hope you don’t have to take a help desk job unless its for the fed then whatever, its a cushy government job lol. Drop another comment when you have some updates!
I am a Project Manager at a small GamesDev company, and I can say that yeah, 100000% get that internship, seeing you having actual experience with your degree with go quite far specially in the context of you having issues with being paralyzed. As a Project Manager looking to hire I would want to see you ideally being able to handle the workload with your situation But yah, other than that, it is very important to note that in CS what matters is mostly in the things you have built/worked with rather than the degree itself. The degree wont get you very far actually. What matters is the things you do with the knowledge of the degree and you need to show these things 👍👍👍
Going into nursing, about to start my second year been doing summer classes as well. 32, I did feel dumber but my focus is a lot better. I felt dumb with all thr younger kids until I hit it off with a few people in their late fifties. Thanks for this, sometimes I kick myself for not doing this sooner but I'm glad I am doing this now.
Your video randomly popped up on my feed and I wanted to say that you're not behind in life. You're exactly where you need to be. I'm 37, and I'm doing my undergraduate degree in Criminology. We're all walking our own path. Sometimes, it takes us longer to figure out what we want in life and that's OK. I wish you the best of luck! :)
Hey man, I'm applying for a Computer Science degree in August, and honestly, I feel anxious about it, with all the crazy stuff happening in the tech world-all those layoffs and everything. This video was comforting. Not only did you share your perspective, but you also offered some solid guidance and lessons. I appreciate that, brother.
I'm a self-taught programmer with 15 years of experience and I was recently laid off. I'm thinking of going back to school and getting into more advanced computer science fields. It is scary though
Thanks for sharing your experience, im entering my 30s soon and im planning to go back for CS. Ive been a software dev for 5 years already but having that piece of paper does make a huge difference in terms of prospects
@@codefallacy I do wonder if these companies tightening up their hiring just effectively brings back the degree requirement via competition…even if it’s not explicitly required.
In your case, I would 100% get that degree if you’re already doing dev work for 5 years. You’ll be rock solid when you get that diploma. You will pass way more filters with it. Edit: Look at Georgia Tech for a masters if you already have a bachelors. It’s pretty cheap and good reputation.
I'm self taught in software development and i got my first dev job after retiring from 20 years in the Army. I was 39 and I was able to leverage the Army's career skills program to do an internship for the last 4 months of my enlistment. The job i Interned with offered me a full time position as i retired and went right into a full time position. Been here about 2 years now and going strong.
Going to school again at a later age should be normalized a bit more. You've had time to sort yourself out and know more about your interests, strengths and weaknesses.
Hey, thank you so much for making a video like this. I’m 32 years old and I’m also trying to complete college as well. I am really grateful for you. Sharing your experience. This really puts things in perspective and I’m really grateful to know that you completed your journey ,which lets me know. I can do the same. i’m also a fellow job hopper. I have nothing but crazy amount of inconsistencies on my résumé too just never being satisfied with minimum listing jobs, where I know I can do so much more
I’m 32 and halfway through a cs degree. Thanks for putting yourself out there, it’s inspiring to hear people who are similar talk about their experience.
I can relate. Ive always been late to everything in my life. Im 30 right now and all ive prioritized since leaving high school was finding a career. My confidence and self-esteem is always affected for never having a career. I started learning front-end 4 years ago and am still struggling with javascript. Ive missed out on alot in life.
I’m teaching a coding bootcamp for cheap because I think everyone should get an opportunity like this and not have to break the bank. Keep going. Welcome to the industry!
Im 33 myself have a BS in agriculture got burned out with the manual labor side and aches and pains of that career in my 20s took time to travel and take care of a sick family member. I did a coding bootcamp last fall but have been really struggling with job openings not getting interviews. Ive done some freelance websites for friends at no cost for the experience. However Im feeling like I fell for the "learn to code" dream that worked over the past few years but is not so fruitful now. Feeling old and directionless, this video really resonated with me though, its a great story and you are an inspiration man. Thank you so much for uploading this. Hopefully I can figure out my next move (maybe back to school).
You are not behind. You are way ahead. You know how to break free from limiting narratives. You are an example for many. You are rare. You are the first whom many people will follow to set themselves free from their limiting stories. Best wishes from India. Keep shining.
Congratulations man. I'm about to head down a similar path. 31 and ready to put everything into learning what I want now. Thanks for sharing your story.
I resonate with this. I feel the weight of having no bachelors degree and entering my 30s. But I decided to not dormant my education anymore and graduated my bachelors 2 months ago in May, (recent grad like you) and I'm currently 31. The classroom scene is night and day, of meeting students who aren't on the same wavelength or focus as us older folks. But seeing them does put a reminder of why I was more serious than these young kids.
"I still struggle with thinking I'm screwed. " - "best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now" we all feel like that mate, I'm in a similar boat to you but all we can do in this life is be better than what we were yesterday. Easier said than done ofc, good luck with your career!
I'm not going to CS, but rather cybersec, but thank you so much for sharing your story! Basically starting over at 31 myself, so I'm inspired by your journey. Rooting for you! 🎉
This is honestly inspiring to me, since so much of what you've said is exactly like me - get bored with everything, don't stick with things, etc, but also interested in creating and coding, etc. Feeling super behind in life at 37 and it's been tough to find a coding job, but I'm just improving as much as I can and making projects. Also, thank you for your service.
I wish we had just cool people sharing their stories like this on UA-cam when I was younger. So incredibly enlightening and helpful. The other thing is seeing how young and flourishing you are. Much love to you man, I’m considering going to school for cs.
Initially went to college for computer engineering when I was 18. I really struggled mentally and quit school. I had this belief that I was doing terrible when in actuality I was doing fine. One of my professors had a talk with me because my grades were falling and my attendance was bad all of a sudden. He literally told me that I was fine and just had to start showing up and putting forth the effort again. I was so sure that I was an idiot and that no amount of effort would help. I hate that I was so stuck in my head and didn't listen to him. I'm applying for readmission at 25 for computer science this time. If they let me back in, I'm going to be on it like white on rice! Thanks for sharing your story. It helped ease my anxiety about being one of the older students in class.
I have been in the industry awhile. I finished my CS degree finally 1 year and a half ago. My salary almost doubled as a result, it was a great decision. Welcome to the CS club!
Thank so much for sharing this! Just by hearing this, people will be brave enough to take the first step. Once I heard, it is better to work and be in the wrong industry for 7-15 years than your whole working life of 35 years, so definitely you have taken the best choice!!
Glad to hear of your success. I am 32, I have my 1st useless degree when I was 23, ever since I went for a CS degree in Fall 2019 and dropped out in Spring 2022 due to financial struggle. I am returning to finish my degree this August.
Chapter 33 for vets, use it. I did Computer science + a full time job. Not easy, but having a sustainable career was the light at the end of the tunnel. Started at 29 and graduated at 32.
Great insight brother - I’m exactly where you were. Late 30’s and will be roughly finished with my own cs degree right around 39 (using GI as well). Have done a few boot camps and courses myself for self-development in the programming space so much of what you’re saying resonates and inspires. Thanks again for the layout!
Alot of our generation are taking the same route you did. At least I feel. I'm 6 months away from getting my bachelors in cybersecurity. I do find it much easier as an adult. My approach is much more mature than it was when I went to community college at 19. Good stuff and thank you for your service.
1. Kudos to you for going back to school. The beauty of life is exploring our options; it's never too late to switch things up! Glad you're finding your groove. 2. I was waiting for 13:00 lmao! I was engaged throughout the video, but so curious about who that was in the background crunching on a bone or toy. Such a cutie! Lol
This is a great video man, thanks for being so honest and real. The learning never stops and I think anyone who thinks they are above training or learning new skills are really the ones who are behind in the long run.
Im 37 now bro. Heading back to college for engineering in the fall. Did army at 32 y.o and I have BS from 2015 in Religious studies. Glad you're employed brother. Living abroad with an American salary is the new American dream 😂
32 and share the same sentiments as others commenting. Trying not to be negative and feeling behind. Currently deciding between continuing my education in the medical field or doing a career change in CS. When I hear of all the layoffs in the CS field though it’s kind of discouraging, so I’m still on the fence. Thank you for sharing this video!
Thanks for this. Most ppl always say “you can always go back later” but never actually do so. Not enough people actually going back and making videos about “non-traditional higher ed.” Learning doesn’t stop after hs or college. Life is a big journey of perpetual education. Good for you 👍
Best of luck to the people getting into CS in 2024..graduated in CS a year ago and probably only heard back from 2 companies from 1000 applications. Got resume reviewed from lead devs, paid services, reddit, but no luck.
The field of tech is huge, and there are random tech jobs in the middle of no where that would hire you. Be willing to move anywhere in the USA (assuming that's where you live), and take any job and I would bet you'll get one. You are most likely too picky, not willing to move, amongst other barriers to entry. Or go join the AF Reserve, get an internship, and boost your resume. You also had a year to improve your situation, what have you done besides the minimum effort that you've outlined in your comment?
Went back to get a CS degree at 27. Became an intern at a big tech company at 28 😅. Sort of embarrassing but sometimes you have to swallow your pride. I was hired on after the internship and have been there full-time for almost 3 years now. Best career decisions I ever made. My next goal is to get a Master's.
thanks for sharing your experience, it's really encouraging at the right time "getting old to be not knowing what I'm doing," unfortunately can relate to this feeling, lol I'm 37 and about to start an IT program in a week. I have second thoughts and self doubt pretty often but hearing from someone around my age who stuck with it makes me wanna do it too. Cheers, man!
Good for you. I was an Engineer who went back to school for teaching in my 30's. Loved it. Didn't appreciate college experience first time around. I wish you all the best
I just got out of the Marines and I’m about to start college. I’m also going in to the IT field but I’m pretty nervous about it because I still have no idea about coding. Really hope it’s not as overwhelming as it looks. Your video helped me gain a little more confidence, thank you!
It will be fine. It's just a mix of learning a new language that isn't terribly different from English and fixing machines, plumbing, that sort of logic.
I relate to being a total flake with no real direction. I'm 36 and have just bounced from job to job with nothing really lasting. I have a mathematics degree and took a lot of programming classes, but I never used my programming knowledge. Im trying to get into software development currently.
This is so reassuring , and humbling, honestly. At 27, I am trying to apply for a PhD, which I may hopefully join at 28-29. Seeing people already complete their PhDs at my age, really hits me with a similar feeling of being left behind. This really put everything into better perspective for me. Thank you so much for this video.
I’m 24 about to finish my IS degree, no internship under my belt, but I work in medical billing currently. This video helped ease my mind a little bit with the unknowns in my career path. Thank you for sharing your story
Thanks man. I'm turning 31 next month, and I'm still unsure. I spent 8 years on two theology degrees, but I don't use them. Taught the last four years. Now, I'm leaning towards HR/benefits. I'm encouraged to see that it's not too late. Great thing is that I have tons of life experience compared to new students.
Same situation for me as well. I'm 35 about to be 36. I am going back to school for a CS degree. One semester away, and then I'll figure out whats next. But I do actually enjoy classes as an older guy, my GPA is better than it has ever been. And telling the younger folks I meet to stay in school, has made me feel pretty good. lol
@@EsotericArnold my go-to thing was to beg people not to buy a new car when they got their first job and to always max their 401(k) if possible. you never know, you might just casually bump some young person onto a completely different and better trajectory with some advice.
I’m 34 and going into my third semester as a CS student. I also did 5 years in the military and originally used by GI bill for a degree I’m no longer interested in. Being able to be creative while also using logic and analytical skills is why I love programming.
As a 33 year old vet back in school for CS, I appreciate you sharing your journey. I can relate to feeling too old but there are plenty of us out there. Moreover, the wisdom gained from time is priceless imo. Also, that transition from AF to Army must have been roughhh. We were all jealous of the AF once the honeymoon phase in the Corps ended 😂
The problem in the US that I’ve noticed is that once you hit 25 everyone just gives up. They never try anything else or attempt to get out there to invest in themselves. Do not stop remember you’re investing in yourself do not listen to no one that tries to tell you why it may be a bad idea. Go to trade school or university to help yourself grow.
Good for you. I started going to night school for programming when I was 37 years old, and eventually got my first developer job at the age of 41. I enjoyed my new career so much I actually felt like I was younger and starting out again. If you enjoy it, and have the mind to enjoy learning new things every year, you will do great.
I'm 30, and I have a degree in agroindustrial engineering, but I'm learning data analysis full time and hope to get a better job. Thanks for the inspiration
Amazing progress mate. I wish you the very best in your career and it takes immense guts to go back to school as an older student. There is no shame. In fact there is pride in being able to search for more education and level yourself up. Kudos man! All the best
Dang man thanks for this. I'm 26 and feel like I'm watching myself inside of a screen with this video. I was in the military and have been stuck in a security job loop since my only skills have been under a combat MOS. Currently looking at computer science or radiology. Life is all about figuring it out, or not figuring it out 😂
That is awesome, congrats. I did not go back to school, but I also got my first dev job at 39 taking the self taught route. I should of went to get my CS degree, I still plan on doing it part time to fill the gaps in my knowledge. If folks are able to get a degree, you should definitely do it. Regardless what some other UA-camrs say. Great story. Btw not saying the self taught path is impossible, but it is not easy, took me almost 4 years to get hired as a self taught developer. Also, I love interviewing folks who switched careers, let me know if you would be interested, would love to have you on my channel.
Went back to school at 27 to complete my undergrad. It's been a long and arduous commitment, but I know it's for my own good professionally and personally. I'm hoping to complete my one year MBA right before I turn 31. It's never too late to start self improvement, but the earlier you start the better.
I’m 25 and just starting but have a feeling I’ll be going back to school one day. I graduated with my master’s in Management Information Systems and working at big 4 bank as well. Life is really about finding what both makes you money and you enjoy. My thing is I want to find something I’m really good at and enjoy. Best of luck to you and everyone. The economy makes me sad
Cool story man. The algorithm recommend me your video and I watched it all the way through. Congrats on the job and new career. Seeing how you've jumped around from job to job in the past, do you think you'll stay with this career? I ask as someone a little older than you that has been in tech for 16 years now. I'm the opposite of you though. I'm trying to get out, but those government jobs, as you know, those golden handcuffs are hard to take off once they're on.
@@David_10157 Thank you for watching the whole thing, I did not expect this video to get more than like 5 views tops. Just wanted to get my first time on camera out of the way lol. I think I can stick with this for at least 5 years. All I’ve ever wanted workwise was a job that wasn’t mind-numbingly boring (and at a company/org that isn’t a $hitshow), and I think this is the first time I’ve had that. Given that I’m about to turn 40 I have some pretty ambitious financial goals to get my retirement plan on track so I feel really motivated to succeed for this reason alone. This is also the first time I’ve found myself in a position where there’s some upward mobility as far as salaries go if I don’t get complacent (or lose my mind haha).
Oh wow, this video appeared in my feed today. I'm 37 and thinking of going back to school. I've been working as a programmer for the last 15 years or so, but I'm self-taught(I majored in math but dropped out on my second year). I was laid off recently, and that made me rethink my career a little bit. I want to get into more advanced CS stuff. After 15 years of being a web developer, I've gotten a bit tired of it.
i'm glad this popped up in my feed. i'm 26 and in my last year of CS. about to hit 8 years TIS in a high optempo army reserve unit that's really delayed my education and ruined my chances at landing internships. even though i'm younger, i still understand that feeling of being behind. seeing all these 21 year old kids studying the same thing i am in CS got me feeling bummed too lmao. i'm thinking about just going straight into my master's so i have some chances at internships first, but not sure if it's a good idea. i have my GI bill so I can always go for it later, just undecided for now
@@enerjiCS think you’re still in a good spot and that army reserve time is definitely not for nothing. You might want to dedicate some energy to trying to find a mentor who is where you want to be and came from similar circumstances. Or at least just start networking with people in the career field you eventually want to be in. Most companies would love to have a person who is educated and already has work experience like that so you just need them to know about you.
Dude if you want to do CS and have an amazing career I would gtfo of the reserves. Your time is going to be a lot more valuable than what they can ever pay you.
@@carrier_pigeon214 life is not just about a career in CS. i don't want to get older and wish i had done more than sit in a chair when i was younger. i've been in multiple combat deployments and that time and experience to me is invaluable. this isn't even counting the numerous other benefits, some being passive income. right now it's just about the next logical step in my life.
Holy smokes guys, I was not expecting anywhere near this much viewership or sub's from this video. This was just my 'get the first video where I show my face out of the way' effort. Clearly there are a lot of us trying to make a comeback/course-correction/career change and you guys seem to really relate to some of the feelings I was trying to express here. Thank you so much for all the kind words...I'm kind of blown away. I have over 500 subs now! New video very soon.
ALSO, I finally get the comments about the people tap-dancing or me tapping my foot or whatever after putting in some headphones that can hear bass. My dog chewing on the bone is traveling through the floor to the phone. Knew there was some noise but didn't hear the bulk of it because I wasn't wearing headphones when I check the audio before uploading. SORRY! Listen on laptop speakers for the least annoyance.
Thanks for sharing ! It helps a lot more than you think. You’re also very attractive. If you’re single, hmu 😂
age is just a number at the end of the day........ and you pass easy as a 28 year old dude bro
tell us some tips to look younger haha
Doing anything is good measure in this murky economy. Study or work whereever is fine.... as long as you save some money and invest it. You can invest in s&p or hisa since interest rates are so high.
Dude, don’t apologize. 😅 you can’t please them all.. #GoodBoy 🐶
@@Weareusernamesaye caramba!
Thanks for posting this. As a 31 year old dude whose inner voice is (unfortunately) heavy on the "I'm behind" narrative, this is a glimmer of hope that I can find something. It's also nice to not feel totally alone in this fight.
Me too man. Me too. But it's exciting isn't it? The fear? I'm kinda glad I waited to 30. I had a rough upbringing and it feels like I only now have a fully formed adult brain. I finished hs but no college and I am so ready. Im doing tech/IT as well. I got a network+ and a+ book. I read the A+ cert book 5 times and still not enough. You can do it! We can do it! It's better that we waited. Slow and steady wins the race
I'm study compsci now, I'm 29. You should go, you'll only keep getting older. I should be done this year. Go for it!
a bunch of guys in my CS courses were in their 50s, never too late
Zach, you aren’t behind. You’ve got it.
No way! I went back to school in my 40's to change careers, best decision ever. and now I am thinking about going back to school to become a lawyer when I start getting my retirement check at 62. Never too old.
Currently 37 and I have 1.5 more years until I get my degree in finance. I love to see stories like yours. Congratulations on figuring out what you wanted to do, and thanks for your service.
Be well. I just turned 30 and I'm going back for my second degree. I will be studying business as of September 2024 and hope to major in finance! God bless
Wow, I'm in the exact same shoes as you, but I'm 29. It's nice to see that it's never too late.
I'm 35 and in my second year.
@dodo5257-v3f yeah man. My first degree was in the social sciences. Thankfully, I am working in a government job, but I dislike it and don't see myself doing it for 7+years. Currently, 3 years in. Never to late brother. Work hard. I wish you all the best.
Stay strong!
I just went back to school for my BS degree in information technology at the age of 45 and after being out of school for more than a decade. You are never too old to learn however, if you think that you are too old to learn, you won’t learn. Where the mind goes, the person follows.
The only person who can stop you is you.
Dang! I'm in the same boat (44 here). Glad to hear there are more of us. Good luck!
There is a difference between learning and getting hired.
@@rupaalpatel 🙏👍
are you finished with school or have a job? i consider getting info tech degree or comp sci but am unsure. I want to be in cyber sec one day or maybe code, i have never done it before
That’s amazing brotha salute to you. Wanted to ask, what made you choose IT, what job are you hoping to get and how old will you be when graduate?
I feel seen. I'm 36 years old now, pursuing a CS degree, expected to graduate in two years, so I'll be about the same age as you are now when I'm done. Like you, I felt the weight of aging into my thirties without much of a career to speak of (I was a struggling musician and music tutor) and decided to take the financial hit of going back to uni. We have universal education where I live (in principle, at least), so I don't have to pay tuition, but like you said, lost wages matter. I'm glad it worked out for you, that makes me hopeful that I'll get a good chance as well. Still haven't landed that internship, still trying.
Yes especially since once you are over 40 employers are less likely to hire you .
I am 36 and just graduated in 2023 with a CS degree from a school in the top 20. I have worked for a Fortune 500 company since graduating, and just accepted another offer for a position at a Fortune 100 company. Your life experience will be viewed as a BIG value add to a lot of companies.
I Wish you well man!
keep pushing brotha, im finished my cs degree with 35, started at 31. you can do it. dont let society tell you you are too old. what would an 80 year old tell you? so keep pushing brotha.
"I still struggle with thinking I'm screwed. " you're not alone! Subscribed!
I'm 41 and I just started school as a neuroscience major. It's the first time in my life I know exactly what Im supposed to be doing. It's never too late! Love hearing stories like this, helps keep me motivated:)
Good luck
blessings and good luck in your degree and your life.
I'm 34 and starting.. thank you for posting this! It's so hard to find older people starting out!! ❤
I started coding at 34. 36 now graduated from a 2 year program
@@chaii_latte You got this!
Keep it up, I started learning to code at at 35 and got hired at my first dev job at 39.
27 and starting! We’re in this together
34 here and just started taking #100Devs Free Bootcamp with Leon on youtube. So happy to see everyone in their 30s in the same journey. Good luck!
I am 33 and should finish this semester if I can handle seven classes. I was hoping to find something. I have had trouble finding an internship, so I am pretty worried. Thanks for putting this out there. It's nice to hear I am not alone.
Use your career services and go to every job fair dressed to impress...no exceptions. You got this.
Learning never stops - even old skills like building Egyptian pyramids need an update to the new kind of cement. Great you got that job - the struggle is real. Genuine curiosity counts for a lot.
Roman concrete is the superior cement...
Still can't figure it out!
What if you don’t have genuine curiosity in anything…
Appreciate you sharing your story man. I’m 28 and now wrapping up a CS degree and sometimes feel lost. Your story and grit is inspiring.
25 now will be 27-28 when I get my cs degree too. Wish you the best of luck!
I’m going to be 32 this year. By the time I graduate I’ll probably be about 35. It’s cool hearing other “old folk” deciding it’s never too late to pick up and go.
Remember to compare yourself to you yesterday. That’s the true measure of improvement and success. Comparing to others is never an accurate measurement because you don’t see the bad they’ve gone through, and you don’t know what experiences you’ve had that they have missed out on.
"Remember to compare yourself to your yesterday" is the female equivalent of "you're special just the way you are. Hug yourself every day".
No, compare yourself against the people that you'll be competing against. Reality matters more than self-flattery, Timmy.
Who are we competing with? People that had a better hand dealt to them? Sure, if you want to be miserable all your life, then go ahead and look and wonder constantly why you aren’t where someone else is. Why aren’t you as smart, good looking, talented, wealthy, etc. That’s real good for the mental health. When you wonder why you can never measure up to anyone and develop constant imposter syndrome, then go ahead and give up because you’ll never outpace someone that’s had years upon years of a head start that is still continuing to grow. Let’s not worry about the most anxious depressed society developed by technology that has everyone constantly comparing themselves to other people. But look at all the good it’s done… man. Get out of here with your false bravado, thinking that the rat race is what the good shit is.
@@pearlsswine Even from a utilitarian point of view there's no need to compare yourself to others if you simply continue to develop your skills each and every day.
Pretty lame, condescending, wanna-be tough guy comment on your part.
@@pearlsswineur right, we're definitely with people but what's the point in having constant anxiety because of it.
the dog is gonig to town on that bone in the background lol
The Dawgs cannot be contained
I recognized that sound right away too.
I see you everywhere man!
@@stevearmstrong-dev 😂
@@stevearmstrong-dev u going to the DNS event tonight?
Got my BS in electrical engineering at 30 and eventually moved into software development and embedded systems in the companies for which I worked. Now, seven years post-degree, I do SW full time. I find SWE is much more rewarding than pure EE, especially for those who get bored easily.
I did ECE, and it was sort of an academic disaster, still ended up with a low paying dev job.
On even days, I regret not doing CS, and on odd days I'm longing to go back to that hardcore stuff in ECE (which I found interesting but got overwhelmed as I found ECE a bit hard.
I'm 25, and my peers seemed to have life all figured out. Oh, and did I tell you about my interest in Mechanical engineering (the elegant creativity in mechanisms for instance).
@@zikomo8913 do look into mechatronics. It's a interesting and lovely field of its own. I loved it. Also doing graduation in ECE.
Crazy, I just turned 30 and graduating next year (started at 25) for a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering.
Started out in Life Sciences when I was 18, but ended up not liking it.
What's SWE?
@@synchronium24 software engineering
I’m 40 and just beginning my journey. No previous college degree. It’s tough. I’m majoring in physics and CS. My eye is on a PhD but scared of the opportunity cost. I’m working poor only making 30k - 36k annually.
Epic. How is school going so far?
@@jroseme it’s been rough to say the least. All the preparation I did before entering college barely helped me, lol. Hard to know what you don’t know. But it can happen to anyone. I just stay motivated and keep my eyes on the prize.
Im with you bro please carry on , I hope you earn qurter of a million dollars some day.
Keep goin, you got this!!
Good luck brother you got this
In Asia especially my country, people at my age just want to marry, have kids, have a normal job, kinda like a standard in the late twenties. I'm turning 28 this year, I left my marketing job last year (it was well well-paid job in a multinational corporation, compared to the market range tho) I have been learning about data science and still planning to get a decent edu this year). My parents and relatives always tell me that I'm crazy. Tbh I feel frustrated sometimes, but your video just boosted up my faith again. I guess it's never too late to learn something new, and only we know what is good for us. Definitely admire people like you, and I believe you are on the right way!
@@notrealfroggen3020 Im glad you’re following your own plan. That must be hard to feel that pressure from your family. I hope you don’t let it get to you to much, they probably think theyre being helpful in their own way.
Appreciate you sharing your experience, man. I’m 38 and I got my bachelors degree about 10 years ago in my late 20s and let me tell you, you are not late. Better late than never. Life happens to us all in many different ways. Keep doing what you’re doing!
This is why I want to push for school later in life- it really does change your life, and there's so much more emotion and focus invested. There's just so much wisdom and understanding that comes with the age. You notice how happy and excited folks are in the comments? not compare that to a 20 something, the mindset is completely different. Best believe these corps see this.
Hey man, made me feel better, I'm going for my cs degree at 27 and I wont be finished until 31 but it is what it is. Life doesn't stop just cuz I studying and 4 years will pass regardless so I rather have a degree.
I was 38 when I graduated with a bachelor of fine arts. I then went on to earn a masters degree and graduated with that at the age of 44. Don’t give up, it’s worth it.
I just graduated 28 from comp sci , it was weird going to uni as an older student but I made so many friends and the classes were so diverse from 18-50+ and I made friends with people of all ages
@@levi-nn7ce Awesome! Congrats and Im glad you had a positive experience as an older student. I should have been more social during my time there for sure.
I just enrolled this coming term! Thank you for sharing this
The timing of this video is amazing, I'm 24 this year and about to matriculate into a tech degree similar to CS in less than a month. I will also be 28 by the time I graduate and seeing and watch these videos are so encouraging ❤
I wish I could attend school full time in person again! Miss opportunity on my part bc when I was 18 I was in a terrible spot.
@@ianhecox90 you’re so young honestly there were 30 and 40 year olds on my course. What I realised is sitting in the fence and letting time pass whilst you do nothing is also a decision that has consequences so the fact that you are doing something that is an investment in your future long term is the right thing to do
I did this but in my mid to late twenties with nursing. There were people in my class in their 50’s. It’s never too late to change careers. Work sucks, but I look at my friends who never went farther and are stuck working menial jobs with low earning potential. You have a lot to be proud of! Congrats
So what did you go from to nursing?
Sucky desk job in sales. I couldn’t take trying to make quotas and having 8 different bosses. Kind of like office space lol
I agree with you, I don’t want to be old and slaving at a minimum wage job
Nursing is a completely different field and much more stable. Less age discrimination and your job won't be outsourced to Ramesh in India
I also graduated in CS at 39 after running some businesses in the past in web design, English teaching ect...I communicated with many fellow student who were also our age and some even older so its fine and the future is bright...people change career, life happens. Stay positive everyone!
Military veteran here. I just got out after 12 years in and I got accepted into a top 15 school for CS. Now I'm drowning in some advanced math thats so far off into the weeds. I needed this video!
I'm so stoked for you. All you have to do is pass. Do not get caught up in a perfectionism trap or feeling you're not good enough because you're struggling! I wish some of my classes were more rigorous at my school because I feel like a fake for getting an 'A' with the amount of effort I put in. Keep with it, retake a class if you have to, you got this.
Currently 41, I got my CS degree in 2018. I love to here stories from people not in their twenties in the tech space. Keep going and keep growing.
Thanks man. This really resonated. I'm 45 no debt and made money from 10 years of working and flipping houses but been out of paid work over a year and ready to invest in myself. I am on the fence about school as well and have had lots of gaps in my resume with travel time etc. You said it right there, going back later in life (i fear) I'll get the times where you feel like something of a failure even though it's not the reality. I would definitely say given your story, you are definitely not a failure & the only way you truly fail is if you give up. Good on you brother and best of luck!! Please continue to make content in this space -- there are lots of us Gen Xers that are in the same boat
@@ejacoby congrats on your successes so far, especially being debt free. If you end up enrolling, you gotta come back and drop a comment!
Awesome dude. Learning should be a life long process and a STEM degree will open up a lot of opportunities for you. Thank you for your service.
bro your story is almost identical to mine. prior air force, tried a lot of jobs and nothing really stuck. then I had a bunch of really long gaps where I was trying things out like starting a business, side hustles, youtube etc.... but in terms of my resume, it looked like I just wasn't working. i taught myself to code in my mid 30's, finally got a job as a frontend developer, did that for 2 years. and then switched over to the product/business side. i now make more money than I ever have, I don't have to code and life is good. I'm 38. I love your story, just keep going and never quit.
What stack did you each yourself and did you have a job on the side? Also what do you do at work?
@@novanoskillz4151 Amazing! That takes a lot of grit, nice work!!
How did you do the product/business side?
I'm a 32 year old Marine veteran with an AA degree and a BA degree. I'm currently pursuing another BA in health information management, which is essentially IT for the healthcare field. Thank you for sharing your video; it might have helped someone. Lastly, putting your ego out the door is essential. Still working on it but it’s getting better. 👍
I’m 35 and almost finished with my associates (2 classes left, yay) then I’ll be going back for my BA. It’s never too late ☺️
I’m 33 and just starting at a community college, so maybe we will finish schooling around the same age! But you definitely got this, making some good money and living life easier before you are really old! GOODLUCK
Bro, it's been too late for about 10 years
@@Koolgit 🙄
This has inspired me to go back to school in my 30s, thank you. Nice hair, by the way. Good thing you had that friend to let you live with them, they probably saved your life. Congrats on your job!
I'm in a similar boat. Self taught web developer with some years of work experience, but with year-long gaps between. Turning 36 in august and going for a statistics/ML masters. Got a bit saved up to last me for the 2 years of this program, but I'm having dreams every night now, questioning if this is the right decision and feeling left behind in life.
Life is not a race. Do what suits you. Everyone has regrets and things they would change
@@keepfeatherinitbrothaaaa I think thats an excellent choice for a grad program and having a practical knowledge of statistics has soooo many applications. Cant see how this wont pay off for ya. That feeling behind stuff cuts deep sometimes, and obviously its best not to compare ourselves to others…but just channel it into your work ethic. And try and stay thankful for all the things that are going well.
is ML stand for machine learning? im interested in that and comp sci/ info tech degree. Any advice for someone looking to get into that or cyber sec one day?
great video. i was paralyzed in a car accident a few years ago and decided to get a CS degree, just finished last month. the bad is that my degree is from WGU, so i’m sure employers wont love that. the good is that vocational rehab is helping me search, and one thing they offer is to reimburse an employer for the first two months to give me a trial run. i’m sure the search will be tough, and ill probably need an internship, but if i just wind up at a help desk one day it still beats living off social security.
@@ayftb6558 yeah definitely leverage all the resources you can. Work with your career counselor at the school as well to figure out who your previous alum got hired into. I don’t think the branding is the biggest deal in the world unless you’re trying to go to work in a totally different area than you went to school. I hope you don’t have to take a help desk job unless its for the fed then whatever, its a cushy government job lol. Drop another comment when you have some updates!
I am a Project Manager at a small GamesDev company, and I can say that yeah, 100000% get that internship, seeing you having actual experience with your degree with go quite far specially in the context of you having issues with being paralyzed. As a Project Manager looking to hire I would want to see you ideally being able to handle the workload with your situation
But yah, other than that, it is very important to note that in CS what matters is mostly in the things you have built/worked with rather than the degree itself. The degree wont get you very far actually. What matters is the things you do with the knowledge of the degree and you need to show these things
👍👍👍
Going into nursing, about to start my second year been doing summer classes as well. 32, I did feel dumber but my focus is a lot better. I felt dumb with all thr younger kids until I hit it off with a few people in their late fifties.
Thanks for this, sometimes I kick myself for not doing this sooner but I'm glad I am doing this now.
Your video randomly popped up on my feed and I wanted to say that you're not behind in life. You're exactly where you need to be. I'm 37, and I'm doing my undergraduate degree in Criminology. We're all walking our own path. Sometimes, it takes us longer to figure out what we want in life and that's OK. I wish you the best of luck! :)
Hey man, I'm applying for a Computer Science degree in August, and honestly, I feel anxious about it, with all the crazy stuff happening in the tech world-all those layoffs and everything.
This video was comforting. Not only did you share your perspective, but you also offered some solid guidance and lessons. I appreciate that, brother.
I'm a self-taught programmer with 15 years of experience and I was recently laid off. I'm thinking of going back to school and getting into more advanced computer science fields. It is scary though
Thanks for sharing your experience, im entering my 30s soon and im planning to go back for CS. Ive been a software dev for 5 years already but having that piece of paper does make a huge difference in terms of prospects
@@codefallacy I do wonder if these companies tightening up their hiring just effectively brings back the degree requirement via competition…even if it’s not explicitly required.
insteresting i thought u need cs paper to be any type of developer 😂
In your case, I would 100% get that degree if you’re already doing dev work for 5 years. You’ll be rock solid when you get that diploma. You will pass way more filters with it.
Edit: Look at Georgia Tech for a masters if you already have a bachelors. It’s pretty cheap and good reputation.
I'm self taught in software development and i got my first dev job after retiring from 20 years in the Army. I was 39 and I was able to leverage the Army's career skills program to do an internship for the last 4 months of my enlistment. The job i Interned with offered me a full time position as i retired and went right into a full time position. Been here about 2 years now and going strong.
@@Showmatic Crushing it!
Going to school again at a later age should be normalized a bit more. You've had time to sort yourself out and know more about your interests, strengths and weaknesses.
Hey, thank you so much for making a video like this. I’m 32 years old and I’m also trying to complete college as well. I am really grateful for you. Sharing your experience. This really puts things in perspective and I’m really grateful to know that you completed your journey ,which lets me know. I can do the same. i’m also a fellow job hopper. I have nothing but crazy amount of inconsistencies on my résumé too just never being satisfied with minimum listing jobs, where I know I can do so much more
I’m 32 and halfway through a cs degree. Thanks for putting yourself out there, it’s inspiring to hear people who are similar talk about their experience.
I can relate. Ive always been late to everything in my life. Im 30 right now and all ive prioritized since leaving high school was finding a career. My confidence and self-esteem is always affected for never having a career. I started learning front-end 4 years ago and am still struggling with javascript. Ive missed out on alot in life.
I’m teaching a coding bootcamp for cheap because I think everyone should get an opportunity like this and not have to break the bank. Keep going. Welcome to the industry!
@@pkfiremusic Thank you! Bootcamps are awesome.
What’s your boot camp called? :)
@@kingjoe97 0 to code hero!
@@kingjoe97 ua-cam.com/video/SkpyaxiZu9M/v-deo.htmlsi=SO0yTnZ5LYyocFtc
Im 33 myself have a BS in agriculture got burned out with the manual labor side and aches and pains of that career in my 20s took time to travel and take care of a sick family member. I did a coding bootcamp last fall but have been really struggling with job openings not getting interviews. Ive done some freelance websites for friends at no cost for the experience. However Im feeling like I fell for the "learn to code" dream that worked over the past few years but is not so fruitful now. Feeling old and directionless, this video really resonated with me though, its a great story and you are an inspiration man. Thank you so much for uploading this. Hopefully I can figure out my next move (maybe back to school).
@@reptyler123 Thank you for the kind words. I hope you can find a path that uses your full potential.
This is great for so many people in their 30’s or even 40’s to hear.
You are not behind. You are way ahead. You know how to break free from limiting narratives. You are an example for many. You are rare. You are the first whom many people will follow to set themselves free from their limiting stories. Best wishes from India. Keep shining.
Kind words, thank you very much. I hope you are doing well on your journey as well.
Congratulations man. I'm about to head down a similar path. 31 and ready to put everything into learning what I want now. Thanks for sharing your story.
Dude, last May I finished college at the age of 39. Chemical engineering. Crazy stuff!
@@AthamAldecua Let’s go!! I have no idea how you could handle all that chemistry, hats off to you!
I resonate with this. I feel the weight of having no bachelors degree and entering my 30s. But I decided to not dormant my education anymore and graduated my bachelors 2 months ago in May, (recent grad like you) and I'm currently 31. The classroom scene is night and day, of meeting students who aren't on the same wavelength or focus as us older folks. But seeing them does put a reminder of why I was more serious than these young kids.
night and day, you get it.
"I still struggle with thinking I'm screwed. " - "best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now" we all feel like that mate, I'm in a similar boat to you but all we can do in this life is be better than what we were yesterday. Easier said than done ofc, good luck with your career!
I'm not going to CS, but rather cybersec, but thank you so much for sharing your story! Basically starting over at 31 myself, so I'm inspired by your journey. Rooting for you! 🎉
Thank you! Glad you're going for it!
Fucking SAME MAN! 37, no path, wasted so much time, Working to pay off debt and get into school atm. keep getting after it man.
This is honestly inspiring to me, since so much of what you've said is exactly like me - get bored with everything, don't stick with things, etc, but also interested in creating and coding, etc. Feeling super behind in life at 37 and it's been tough to find a coding job, but I'm just improving as much as I can and making projects. Also, thank you for your service.
I wish we had just cool people sharing their stories like this on UA-cam when I was younger. So incredibly enlightening and helpful. The other thing is seeing how young and flourishing you are. Much love to you man, I’m considering going to school for cs.
Glad you found it useful. Thank you for watching.
Initially went to college for computer engineering when I was 18. I really struggled mentally and quit school.
I had this belief that I was doing terrible when in actuality I was doing fine.
One of my professors had a talk with me because my grades were falling and my attendance was bad all of a sudden. He literally told me that I was fine and just had to start showing up and putting forth the effort again.
I was so sure that I was an idiot and that no amount of effort would help.
I hate that I was so stuck in my head and didn't listen to him.
I'm applying for readmission at 25 for computer science this time.
If they let me back in, I'm going to be on it like white on rice!
Thanks for sharing your story. It helped ease my anxiety about being one of the older students in class.
I have been in the industry awhile. I finished my CS degree finally 1 year and a half ago. My salary almost doubled as a result, it was a great decision. Welcome to the CS club!
@@rcmag13 dang, congrats!!
Thank so much for sharing this! Just by hearing this, people will be brave enough to take the first step. Once I heard, it is better to work and be in the wrong industry for 7-15 years than your whole working life of 35 years, so definitely you have taken the best choice!!
Glad to hear of your success. I am 32, I have my 1st useless degree when I was 23, ever since I went for a CS degree in Fall 2019 and dropped out in Spring 2022 due to financial struggle. I am returning to finish my degree this August.
So glad to read that. hope you'll got your degree!
@@MacusAvr Im excited for you to see it through. You’ll feel so good when you finally get it done!
Got my first useless degree at 23 as well. I realized it a bit sooner and am going back at 24 haha
What ‘useless’ degrees
@@NewWesternFront business management. Not necessarily useless per se, but useless to me. It is too broad tho.
Chapter 33 for vets, use it. I did Computer science + a full time job. Not easy, but having a sustainable career was the light at the end of the tunnel. Started at 29 and graduated at 32.
Great insight brother - I’m exactly where you were. Late 30’s and will be roughly finished with my own cs degree right around 39 (using GI as well). Have done a few boot camps and courses myself for self-development in the programming space so much of what you’re saying resonates and inspires. Thanks again for the layout!
Alot of our generation are taking the same route you did. At least I feel. I'm 6 months away from getting my bachelors in cybersecurity. I do find it much easier as an adult. My approach is much more mature than it was when I went to community college at 19. Good stuff and thank you for your service.
1. Kudos to you for going back to school. The beauty of life is exploring our options; it's never too late to switch things up! Glad you're finding your groove.
2. I was waiting for 13:00 lmao! I was engaged throughout the video, but so curious about who that was in the background crunching on a bone or toy. Such a cutie! Lol
Thanks for posting this, it's very down to earth and sobering for me.
He petted the dog twice. Good video 👍
This is a great video man, thanks for being so honest and real. The learning never stops and I think anyone who thinks they are above training or learning new skills are really the ones who are behind in the long run.
I went back to college at 28, completed a Bachelors at 32, studied CS, best decision ever.
This is really good especially for people who think they are far too behind to catch up in life.
Im 37 now bro. Heading back to college for engineering in the fall. Did army at 32 y.o and I have BS from 2015 in Religious studies. Glad you're employed brother. Living abroad with an American salary is the new American dream 😂
As soon as I have enough dough I'm probably outta here.
32 and share the same sentiments as others commenting. Trying not to be negative and feeling behind. Currently deciding between continuing my education in the medical field or doing a career change in CS. When I hear of all the layoffs in the CS field though it’s kind of discouraging, so I’m still on the fence. Thank you for sharing this video!
Thanks for this. Most ppl always say “you can always go back later” but never actually do so. Not enough people actually going back and making videos about “non-traditional higher ed.” Learning doesn’t stop after hs or college. Life is a big journey of perpetual education. Good for you 👍
Best of luck to the people getting into CS in 2024..graduated in CS a year ago and probably only heard back from 2 companies from 1000 applications. Got resume reviewed from lead devs, paid services, reddit, but no luck.
The field of tech is huge, and there are random tech jobs in the middle of no where that would hire you. Be willing to move anywhere in the USA (assuming that's where you live), and take any job and I would bet you'll get one. You are most likely too picky, not willing to move, amongst other barriers to entry. Or go join the AF Reserve, get an internship, and boost your resume. You also had a year to improve your situation, what have you done besides the minimum effort that you've outlined in your comment?
Went back to get a CS degree at 27. Became an intern at a big tech company at 28 😅. Sort of embarrassing but sometimes you have to swallow your pride. I was hired on after the internship and have been there full-time for almost 3 years now. Best career decisions I ever made. My next goal is to get a Master's.
What was embarrassing about it
imagine if you were 39 in 1995, thinking it was dumb to become computer literate.
it's never too late to learn. should be learning your entire life.
Good for you! I’ve pivoted many times nurse, sales, front desk, Medspa, now an influencer content creator. ❤
thanks for sharing your experience, it's really encouraging at the right time
"getting old to be not knowing what I'm doing," unfortunately can relate to this feeling, lol
I'm 37 and about to start an IT program in a week. I have second thoughts and self doubt pretty often but hearing from someone around my age who stuck with it makes me wanna do it too. Cheers, man!
Good for you. I was an Engineer who went back to school for teaching in my 30's. Loved it. Didn't appreciate college experience first time around. I wish you all the best
I just got out of the Marines and I’m about to start college. I’m also going in to the IT field but I’m pretty nervous about it because I still have no idea about coding. Really hope it’s not as overwhelming as it looks. Your video helped me gain a little more confidence, thank you!
This was the start of my coding journey: www.udemy.com/course/java-tutorial/
It will be fine. It's just a mix of learning a new language that isn't terribly different from English and fixing machines, plumbing, that sort of logic.
I relate to being a total flake with no real direction. I'm 36 and have just bounced from job to job with nothing really lasting. I have a mathematics degree and took a lot of programming classes, but I never used my programming knowledge. Im trying to get into software development currently.
@@DavidVonR You’re a beast for getting a math degree. Have you considered going back for a masters?
@@jroseme Thanks. I might get a Master's in software engineering.
What a journey you have had, great work, and congratulations! Also, thank you for your service in the US Air Force and US Army.
This is so reassuring , and humbling, honestly.
At 27, I am trying to apply for a PhD, which I may hopefully join at 28-29. Seeing people already complete their PhDs at my age, really hits me with a similar feeling of being left behind.
This really put everything into better perspective for me.
Thank you so much for this video.
I’m 24 about to finish my IS degree, no internship under my belt, but I work in medical billing currently. This video helped ease my mind a little bit with the unknowns in my career path. Thank you for sharing your story
38 going back for IT dec. ‘25 is when I’m expected to graduate, glad I came across this
Thanks man. I'm turning 31 next month, and I'm still unsure. I spent 8 years on two theology degrees, but I don't use them. Taught the last four years. Now, I'm leaning towards HR/benefits. I'm encouraged to see that it's not too late. Great thing is that I have tons of life experience compared to new students.
Same situation for me as well. I'm 35 about to be 36. I am going back to school for a CS degree. One semester away, and then I'll figure out whats next. But I do actually enjoy classes as an older guy, my GPA is better than it has ever been. And telling the younger folks I meet to stay in school, has made me feel pretty good. lol
@@EsotericArnold my go-to thing was to beg people not to buy a new car when they got their first job and to always max their 401(k) if possible. you never know, you might just casually bump some young person onto a completely different and better trajectory with some advice.
@@jroseme that’s def great advice.thats always my hope as well. Hope someone actually listens lol
I’m 34 and going into my third semester as a CS student. I also did 5 years in the military and originally used by GI bill for a degree I’m no longer interested in. Being able to be creative while also using logic and analytical skills is why I love programming.
As a 33 year old vet back in school for CS, I appreciate you sharing your journey. I can relate to feeling too old but there are plenty of us out there. Moreover, the wisdom gained from time is priceless imo.
Also, that transition from AF to Army must have been roughhh. We were all jealous of the AF once the honeymoon phase in the Corps ended 😂
It definitely was. I deployed with the Army during their manning shortfalls while in the Air Force so I knew what I was getting into lol.
The problem in the US that I’ve noticed is that once you hit 25 everyone just gives up. They never try anything else or attempt to get out there to invest in themselves. Do not stop remember you’re investing in yourself do not listen to no one that tries to tell you why it may be a bad idea. Go to trade school or university to help yourself grow.
Good for you. I started going to night school for programming when I was 37 years old, and eventually got my first developer job at the age of 41. I enjoyed my new career so much I actually felt like I was younger and starting out again. If you enjoy it, and have the mind to enjoy learning new things every year, you will do great.
I do feel energized...some combination of a decent paycheck and my work not stressing me out. I hope the vibes continue!
This is such an awesome video. Is there anyone else planning to go back to college in their 20s, 30s or over. Thinking of starting a discord group!
I'm 30, and I have a degree in agroindustrial engineering, but I'm learning data analysis full time and hope to get a better job. Thanks for the inspiration
Amazing progress mate. I wish you the very best in your career and it takes immense guts to go back to school as an older student. There is no shame. In fact there is pride in being able to search for more education and level yourself up. Kudos man! All the best
Dang man thanks for this. I'm 26 and feel like I'm watching myself inside of a screen with this video. I was in the military and have been stuck in a security job loop since my only skills have been under a combat MOS. Currently looking at computer science or radiology. Life is all about figuring it out, or not figuring it out 😂
That is awesome, congrats. I did not go back to school, but I also got my first dev job at 39 taking the self taught route. I should of went to get my CS degree, I still plan on doing it part time to fill the gaps in my knowledge. If folks are able to get a degree, you should definitely do it. Regardless what some other UA-camrs say. Great story.
Btw not saying the self taught path is impossible, but it is not easy, took me almost 4 years to get hired as a self taught developer.
Also, I love interviewing folks who switched careers, let me know if you would be interested, would love to have you on my channel.
Went back to school at 27 to complete my undergrad. It's been a long and arduous commitment, but I know it's for my own good professionally and personally. I'm hoping to complete my one year MBA right before I turn 31. It's never too late to start self improvement, but the earlier you start the better.
27 is a great age to go to school. You would be so much better equipped than at 19. Nice job.
I’m 25 and just starting but have a feeling I’ll be going back to school one day. I graduated with my master’s in Management Information Systems and working at big 4 bank as well. Life is really about finding what both makes you money and you enjoy. My thing is I want to find something I’m really good at and enjoy. Best of luck to you and everyone. The economy makes me sad
Bro thanks for sharing your story. Hella inspiring and brutally honest. Best of luck to you in your career man! Will be continuing to watch.
I just enrolled in a master's certificate program for data science and hope to get my master's degree in it as well.
Cool story man. The algorithm recommend me your video and I watched it all the way through. Congrats on the job and new career. Seeing how you've jumped around from job to job in the past, do you think you'll stay with this career?
I ask as someone a little older than you that has been in tech for 16 years now. I'm the opposite of you though. I'm trying to get out, but those government jobs, as you know, those golden handcuffs are hard to take off once they're on.
@@David_10157 Thank you for watching the whole thing, I did not expect this video to get more than like 5 views tops. Just wanted to get my first time on camera out of the way lol.
I think I can stick with this for at least 5 years. All I’ve ever wanted workwise was a job that wasn’t mind-numbingly boring (and at a company/org that isn’t a $hitshow), and I think this is the first time I’ve had that.
Given that I’m about to turn 40 I have some pretty ambitious financial goals to get my retirement plan on track so I feel really motivated to succeed for this reason alone. This is also the first time I’ve found myself in a position where there’s some upward mobility as far as salaries go if I don’t get complacent (or lose my mind haha).
Oh wow, this video appeared in my feed today. I'm 37 and thinking of going back to school. I've been working as a programmer for the last 15 years or so, but I'm self-taught(I majored in math but dropped out on my second year). I was laid off recently, and that made me rethink my career a little bit. I want to get into more advanced CS stuff. After 15 years of being a web developer, I've gotten a bit tired of it.
Sorry about your layoff, I hope you got a severance! I wonder if you would enjoy mathematics if you started again?
@@jrosemeyes luckily I got some severance but I’m out of money already. I like math. I was just too young and stupid back then.l
Love this, it’s never too late to do what you’re passionate about!
i'm glad this popped up in my feed. i'm 26 and in my last year of CS. about to hit 8 years TIS in a high optempo army reserve unit that's really delayed my education and ruined my chances at landing internships. even though i'm younger, i still understand that feeling of being behind. seeing all these 21 year old kids studying the same thing i am in CS got me feeling bummed too lmao. i'm thinking about just going straight into my master's so i have some chances at internships first, but not sure if it's a good idea. i have my GI bill so I can always go for it later, just undecided for now
@@enerjiCS think you’re still in a good spot and that army reserve time is definitely not for nothing. You might want to dedicate some energy to trying to find a mentor who is where you want to be and came from similar circumstances. Or at least just start networking with people in the career field you eventually want to be in. Most companies would love to have a person who is educated and already has work experience like that so you just need them to know about you.
Dude if you want to do CS and have an amazing career I would gtfo of the reserves. Your time is going to be a lot more valuable than what they can ever pay you.
@@carrier_pigeon214 life is not just about a career in CS. i don't want to get older and wish i had done more than sit in a chair when i was younger. i've been in multiple combat deployments and that time and experience to me is invaluable. this isn't even counting the numerous other benefits, some being passive income. right now it's just about the next logical step in my life.