30 too old to get into IT?

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#1161734 24-Oct-2014 20:39

Interslice: Was that through something like an open polytech course?

The Open Poly are completely useless when it comes to IT

Interslice

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#1161949 25-Oct-2014 10:49

shk292:
Interslice: Was that through something like an open polytech course?

The Open Poly are completely useless when it comes to IT

Yeah didn't like the sound of their stuff after seeing what CPP was offering. Cheers.

timmmay

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#1161956 25-Oct-2014 11:08

Friend of mine switched from electronics to programming in his late 30s. Unsure exactly how he did it, but he must have learned somehow and then got a grad job.

Ford

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#1162073 25-Oct-2014 18:08

I'm 47 and am in IT
If I wasn't I'd enter today, tomorrow, next year, next century.................

If I live to 70 or 80 I'll still never be too old for anything.
I'd just go out and do what I wanted.

afe66

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#1162093 25-Oct-2014 18:35

Considering the retirement age will be 70, I think you have got plenty of time to change careers.

A.

pctek

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#1172954 11-Nov-2014 16:33

Depend who you ask.
I finished my qual (although I had previous experience as well) when I was mid 30's. At an interview at Datacom, I was told I was too old as they don't learn then....

Hmm.
Anyway went well until now, I guess being female doesn't help either - old females, well all the ads and such you see about helping your grandma.....but then I was not a programmer nor any kind of upper management....just a tech.

So it lasted a while....

HTroy

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#1185953 30-Nov-2014 21:14

pctek:
I finished my qual (although I had previous experience as well) when I was mid 30's. At an interview at Datacom, I was told I was too old as they don't learn then....

I really hope that is not what Datacom told you - it's illegal to discriminate based on age, and it's plain untrue that people stop learning after 30.

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HTroy

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#1185958 30-Nov-2014 21:27

Interslice, a relative of mine studied a two year IT course at Polytech and he gets paid really well now as a programmer. It's tough in the beginning though because there is a lot of competition for the grad jobs. Don't turn your nose up at helpdesk jobs or anything that gives you extra experience. I recommend speaking with a recruitment agent before you undertake study, as they can tell you what employers are looking for at the moment.

In regards to the course expense, you can apply for a student loan for course fees and you may even be able to get a student allowance or living costs loan.

The biggest problem with dealing with IT people is the smarmy, negative attitude, so if you can prove to employers that you're positive and willing to learn, then you'll be better than 90% of IT people I've worked with.

Good luck with your new career.

Lostja

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#1189082 5-Dec-2014 07:20

Without wanting to put a downer on things, you probably have 40 years of work ahead of you :-) So, definitely not too young, I switched to project management in my early 30s and know plenty examples of people that have made changes later in life.

All the best

1101

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#1191629 8-Dec-2014 14:54

Ive had a recruiter advise me NOT be put my age on my CV (when in my mid 40's)
She said that age discrimination does exist ........

I can see why. Why not hire a 25year old rather than a 40+ year old. Makes sense.

Brumfondl

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#1191639 8-Dec-2014 14:56

1101: Ive had a recruiter tell me NOT be put my age on my CV (when in my mid 40's)
She said that age discrimination does exist ........

I can see why. Why not hire a 25year old rather than a 40+ year old. Makes sense.

WINZ tell you not put put your age on a CV...

pctek

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#1205115 28-Dec-2014 20:00

HTroy:
pctek:
I finished my qual (although I had previous experience as well) when I was mid 30's. At an interview at Datacom, I was told I was too old as they don't learn then....

I really hope that is not what Datacom told you - it's illegal to discriminate based on age, and it's plain untrue that people stop learning after 30.

It really was what they told me.
At least he said it - many reject you because of age, but don't say it.

frankv

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#1205315 29-Dec-2014 10:01

1101: Ive had a recruiter advise me NOT be put my age on my CV (when in my mid 40's)

And arrive at the interview where your age will be obvious, or if it's not, you'll be asked it? Perhaps you should similarly disguise your ethnicity, religion, marital status, and gender in your CV?

I figure that if it's significant to the employer (even if illegal for them to use it), you might as well put it in your CV. I don't know that I would want to work for someone who was that superficial/bigoted anyway.

Don't trust a recruiter... they are completely happy to waste your time if there's an outside chance that you'll get the job (and they'll get their commission). For example, an agent once sent me along to an interview with a recommendation to not discuss salaries. Turned out that, as the agent well knew, what the employer was offering was tens of thousands below what I was wanting.

She said that age discrimination does exist ........

I can see why. Why not hire a 25year old rather than a 40+ year old. Makes sense.

This seems to me to be quite irrational... my average stay in a job is about 5 years, and I don't think I'm very different from average. One place I worked (for 5 years), the average employment work for IT people was 18 months. So until well after I turn 60, it's not likely that I'll depart early due to age.

40+ year olds tend to be settled in their lifestyle... they have families, maybe kids at school, typically partner with a job, mortgage. They're much less likely to up and leave. And they have life experience, so less likely to be stressed out by events or a weird workmate, or stress out workmates. Also less likely to party all weekend and arrive at work Monday with a hangover.

I guess that at 50+ there's more likely to be time off due to illness, but I don't see that as an issue at 40+.

So I'm curious as to the perceived benefits of a 25yo over a 40yo. Maybe just skin-deep?

Frank

esawers

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#1215343 15-Jan-2015 10:51

If you have any technical skills you could try applying for a school tech support position, I worked in a school part time while I was studying. Would be a good start.

ming

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#1241186 17-Feb-2015 23:27

Never too late...

I was 37 when arriving at NZ. After spending 3 years in uni again, now I am working as a business intelligence analyst in bank.

Before that I was a orchestra musician for 15 years. I also have my family and bill to pay.

It is not easy to totally change your life channel. But chances are for people who get prepared, not for people who are young.

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