Graduating after 30

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Zemco

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hi guys

I am doing a Bsc informatics with unisa and doing second year ,which i found interesting and loving it but my problem is i will be 32 when i graduate haven't done programming before at professional level.It feels like i'm waisting my time and will be to old to get employment when i graduate.Is it easy to find programming jobs when you are a graduate at 32?
 
Good question



I have my A+, N+, MCSE 2000 & Diploma in Project Management.

I am looking at studying At Unisa (diploma in information technology ) but not want it to be a waste.

I currently work in government (IT) and can get a bursary through them. So use my time there wisely :p

But still, graduate at 33 or go IT project management way or something else?
 
You'll find work. You may have to make a directional change in your career and start from a junior position, so plan for that if it will be an issue.
 
[email protected] said:
hi guys

I am doing a Bsc informatics with unisa and doing second year ,which i found interesting and loving it but my problem is i will be 32 when i graduate haven't done programming before at professional level.It feels like i'm waisting my time and will be to old to get employment when i graduate.Is it easy to find programming jobs when you are a graduate at 32?
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Nothing is stopping you from looking for a programming job right now. Just as Mike said, you may have to start off junior.
 
Chevron said:
Nothing is stopping you from looking for a programming job right now. Just as Mike said, you may have to start off junior.
Click to expand...

Yeah, was going so say exactly this - get a junior position somewhere now.
 
Once you have graduated, it doesn't matter when you graduated. With that piece of paper, you will have bumped your cv up the queue. and its more likely some agent who doesn't have a clue about IT will think you might actually know something and put your cv forward.
 
Go for it OP, you will find work but as others have said it will be a junior position.My mom got her degree at 44.
 
I'll get my B.Comm (Informatics) at the age of 42 if all goes according to plan :p
 
OP and the rest: You are never to old obtain a degree, in most cases this will be to your benefit. If you do not have experience or working in the the field you are studying, might have to start @ the bottom. Putting this on your CV when you have completed your degree will look good. If you are working in the analysis / informatics field, you can always benefit from it.
 
I completed my IT diploma in my mid 20's, then started at the bottom working as a software developer. I already had some limited IT work experience (networks instead of software) via short contracts. I then slowly completed the 4th year for my degree, spread over a few years studying part time. By the time I finished the degree I just needed it to make my cv look better for job applications, because my experience and ability counted far more (that 4th year knowledge is quite important though)
 
I posted a very similar thread a short while ago. I'm going for a full time BSc CompSci degree next year. I've done a lot of thinking and though it's going to be difficult and I don't quite know what I'll do 6 months in, I'm determined to go through with it.

I don't know how relevant this is to you, but maybe this story will make you feel a bit better.

I work at the HR department of a very large engineering firm. I've been helping the IT department with their recruitment, and for a long time we've been struggling to find a solid C# & MSSQL developer. We've looked at guys with 3-5 years of experience, some even more, but the guy we chose has 6 months of experience and a BSc CompSci from a University that I would definitely NOT consider reputable at all.

How'd he get it? Every candidate we interview writes a short test with some questions. One question would be, for example, to create a program that sorts a deck of cards without using a built-in function like .sort

This guy with 6 months aced it. We made him an offer and he's going to be earning way more than me - and I have an honours degree in HR from a "top" uni and a few years of experience and I work for a "good" company. And the test really isn't that difficult - but it's just soooooooo hard to find a good programmer.

I ask every one of my candidates in IT what "side projects" they have in IT, and most give me a blank stare :/ It's so impressive when some guy says he's trying to develop an app, or manage his home budget with his own software, or trying to do some freelance programming, or learning new languages. One guy who got another more senior job said he liked to create AI for games like Warcraft and Starcraft. Little things like that show you're a programmer at heart, and employers are desperate for people who've got that umph.

So if you're over 30 and graduating, I think it shows that you know where your passion and heart's at and employers will recognize it when you interview.
 
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Thanks

Guys some of you might think you just blogging to kill time or for entertainment but the fact is you changing lives with the advise you give and please dont stop ,motivation is like bathing you need it everyday.Thanks to all of you it means a lot.
 
Ejeckt said:
I posted a very similar thread a short while ago. I'm going for a full time BSc CompSci degree next year. I've done a lot of thinking and though it's going to be difficult and I don't quite know what I'll do 6 months in, I'm determined to go through with it.

I don't know how relevant this is to you, but maybe this story will make you feel a bit better.

I work at the HR department of a very large engineering firm. I've been helping the IT department with their recruitment, and for a long time we've been struggling to find a solid C# & MSSQL developer. We've looked at guys with 3-5 years of experience, some even more, but the guy we chose has 6 months of experience and a BSc CompSci from a University that I would definitely NOT consider reputable at all.

How'd he get it? Every candidate we interview writes a short test with some questions. One question would be, for example, to create a program that sorts a deck of cards without using a built-in function like .sort

This guy with 6 months aced it. We made him an offer and he's going to be earning way more than me - and I have an honours degree in HR from a "top" uni and a few years of experience and I work for a "good" company. And the test really isn't that difficult - but it's just soooooooo hard to find a good programmer.

I ask every one of my candidates in IT what "side projects" they have in IT, and most give me a blank stare :/ It's so impressive when some guy says he's trying to develop an app, or manage his home budget with his own software, or trying to do some freelance programming, or learning new languages. One guy who got another more senior job said he liked to create AI for games like Warcraft and Starcraft. Little things like that show you're a programmer at heart, and employers are desperate for people who've got that umph.

So if you're over 30 and graduating, I think it shows that you know where your passion and heart's at and employers will recognize it when you interview.
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Actually ejeckt its only difficult going for a degree in the first semester but once you get used to it it becomes fun.Change always brings uncomfortability at first
 
Personally, If I had a a choice between an early 20s graduate and 30 plus graduate, I'd rather take the older candidate. Older graduates are usually more emotionally mature, have more life experience, usually have some sort of work experience which may be applicable in the new role and have shown major ambition and commitment to get a degree at their age (especially if done while working).

Just be aware that you will start off as a junior. But after 2 or 3 years you could be earning a damn good salary.

BTW, I will be graduating at about 45 although I am an experienced developer. I have a diploma from one of those private colleges. I reckon a degree in IT can only be beneficial.
 
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