I have completed a BSC in Software Engineering through UNISA in 2013, but never went into the IT industry as I had a business with one of my long time friends, which was not IT related at all. Since the lockdown started, our business has taken a lot of financial strain, as we had to dig into our savings to make sure our employees at least are covered with salaries although we had no money coming in. So now here is the question, what is the chances of a 41yo with no real IT related work experience, except his degree, getting into the IT industry. I do know how to code, but have never worked in a team setup. I only developed the software we use at the office, some other side projects but nothing serious. I do understand that with the current financial situation our country is finding itself in , work will be scarce, but I still see a lot of intermediate and senior developer posts advertised, but very little junior posts. Is there job opportunities for junior developers at my age? I have an interest in SQL, although any development job is would be awesome. Not necessarily looking for a job with this post, just wanting to hear, as an option what my possibilities are.
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To old to enter software development market?
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Kosmik
Honorary Master
Age is not a barrier. Also, you have real experiance, even in a limited capacity. Apply, places with assessments should at least give you a chance.
But skin colour certainly is.
TEXTILE GUY
Honorary Master
That depends on your level of melanin, would say you are melanin gifted, or melanin deprived?
What you want to do and your qualifications may or may not be important based on your answer above.
Deprived unfortunately...
No need for apologies.
It's only in this racist cVntry that your ethnicity is seen as a liability and not an asset.
Chipper up!
TEXTILE GUY
Honorary Master
So so sorry about that ..... really.
As a second class citizen ..... your options are pretty slim in the Racist Republic of Zumaville.
I wish you all the best, but seriously suggest you look offshore.
Its not easy, but rewarding if you can get it right.
d0b33
Honorary Master
Yes and no.
Steamy Tom
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Realistically at this time your chances are slim to none of securing something, look for freelance work or something more closely related to what your primary business was.
bchip
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Something to think about
my response to a similar question
IT career path
Hey Everyone, Well firstly it was the economy and now Covid-19 hit. I'm a 42 year old male and have been running a small print production, manufacturing business, doing lazer cutting and engraving. 14 years later and I have realized I need to unfortunately close shop because business has not...
mybroadband.co.za
gregkawere
Member
I would recommend trying the following
1. Select an area to focus on
2. Expand your portfolio with personal projects showcasing your skills in the chosen area
3. Do a certification or 2 to validate your skills further in that chosen area
For instance, if you choose Microsoft as your prefered platform to showcase your SQL skills it will mean maybe doing the Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate certification https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/le...ciate?wt.mc_id=learningredirect_certs-web-wwl
You can do these certifications until you get the expert one.
Hope that helps
1. Select an area to focus on
2. Expand your portfolio with personal projects showcasing your skills in the chosen area
3. Do a certification or 2 to validate your skills further in that chosen area
For instance, if you choose Microsoft as your prefered platform to showcase your SQL skills it will mean maybe doing the Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate certification https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/le...ciate?wt.mc_id=learningredirect_certs-web-wwl
You can do these certifications until you get the expert one.
Hope that helps
vozzy
Member
I know of a couple of people that entered IT at about your age and have been successful. Being an IT professional is not about how old you are, your looks or even personality to an extent (I work with people on both ends of the personality spectrum), it's about how much you know. Also there is a huge chasm of IT skills in SA.
I went to https://www.vzap.co.za/ for training (Java). The course ~ 8 months long, is free up-front. If/when you pass, they organize a series of interviews for you with partners they have had in the industry(Insurance firms, banks, other contracting houses). Here's the catch - you are employed by VZaP for the duration of 2 years after the course, and they contract you out to these companies those 2 years (they take a major cut of your salary) until such a time your course fee is paid up. Was about R58 000 when I went. You can obvs pay the fee up front, but that wasn't an option for me. I haven't looked back since, and am earning more than 10x what my first VZaP salary was, 5 years later.
It was at mine and other VZaP courses that I came to know of these new-to-IT 40-something year old-timers.
So, no, your age doesn't matter, as long as you don't let it.
I went to https://www.vzap.co.za/ for training (Java). The course ~ 8 months long, is free up-front. If/when you pass, they organize a series of interviews for you with partners they have had in the industry(Insurance firms, banks, other contracting houses). Here's the catch - you are employed by VZaP for the duration of 2 years after the course, and they contract you out to these companies those 2 years (they take a major cut of your salary) until such a time your course fee is paid up. Was about R58 000 when I went. You can obvs pay the fee up front, but that wasn't an option for me. I haven't looked back since, and am earning more than 10x what my first VZaP salary was, 5 years later.
It was at mine and other VZaP courses that I came to know of these new-to-IT 40-something year old-timers.
So, no, your age doesn't matter, as long as you don't let it.
vozzy
Member
Even know of people that we already in IT that did the course, mainly to land all those interviews
hjst45
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Hi guys. I've started studying programming in my free time to make the switch from engineering to development. I'm studying the following topics to pursue a .NET career:
C# refreshing and advanced topics
MySQL
ASP.NET MVC
Xamarin forms
Anyone that can comment on whether I'm on the right path here? Thanks!
C# refreshing and advanced topics
MySQL
ASP.NET MVC
Xamarin forms
Anyone that can comment on whether I'm on the right path here? Thanks!
What technologies did you use?
Book suggestion: “Data Structures and Algorithms in C#”
The right path is a new thread
Azbubu
Honorary Master
Is that your kitten in the profile pic? If yes, is it a Maine Coon?
hjst45
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