Disable 44 Year Old Male Interested In Computer Programming

[petimager42]

I'm a 44 year old mlae interestd in being a computer prograammer but not sure hwihc path to take to get education .IS a computer technology [program as good as a college degree? Being 44 years old I'm not udre hwich path to take. I'm a beginner & trying to decide which career I can take without spending 4 years of college in Information technology. I worked as a radiological technologist & nuclear medicine technologist for 20 years up until April 2002. I 'm not sure which branch of information technolgy would be best to go into .Any information helpful.I'm heard of people going to computer technology schools & taking 10 month program & getting a job as a a computer programmer. I've heard this from a person that worked for consumer protection agency. Hoe true it is I'm not sure. I need input as.I live in N.E. Pa. Thanks

[TheJackal]

Im not sure that you could get a good job, or even a job for that matter as a programmer after completing one 10 month course... There are people that have a four year degree is Computer Science and dont end up getting a job...

If you are truely serious about a job as a programmer I would look at a four year degree, and maybe even start reading up on some computer langauges.

Do you know what kind of programmer you want to be? or what you want to program? Do you know any programming languages right now?

[petimager42]

I just recieved a cd from a computer programmer that was made from a computer progammer for his daughter who has 17 years experience. He told me it would take me 3 months to learn. Otheriwse I have no previous knowledge. Do you have any other ides what a disabled person can make a career in the information technology field? I have 20 years experience as radiolgoical technologist & nuclear medicine tchnologist registered in both.. I'm probably best finding a job related to my previous credentials than starting a new field. It's difficlut finding a job being 44 years old & being disabled. My best bet would be finding a career related to my previous credentials that I possibly could do especially being 44 year old male. I would be 48 years old by the time I woud be done with college if I started out fresh getting into another filed.The major dilemma is finding what job I maybe able to do. Thank You for your advice

[Mesaeus]

I think your best bet would be to learn as much IT as you can stand. Program a little bit, even as a hobby. Try to combine your old career with as much as IT as you can, it will certainly make you stand out. You can try for a pure IT job but would probably never work unless there's some government incentives to hire you as a disabled. But someone of your old career who isn't afraid of computers ? That would be a LOT better than even your old job.

[MultiGroup]

I do not mean to discourage you or anyhting, but the information technology field is not as strong as it use to be a few years ago.

Many solution developers/web designers are on a contract basis, even network administrators and so on...mosy companies do not have IT staff on site anymore as they outsource to contractors.

Most people now a days learn promgramming as a hobby, mostly for web development.

I personally do not have much experince programing...but I read books here and there just to learn and try new things.

As I mentioned before...I DO NOT mean to discourage you!..just stating a fact, well here in Canada @ least, it may be different there.

[glock17]

interesting..

[Karnevil9]

Aside from your age, I thought the fact that you were disabled would open doors for you since it is against the law to discriminate based on that fact. Your present field coupled with your years of experience would still seem like a viable employment option.

I Think the bottom line based on the replies is to investigate the demand of computer programmers and what will the forcasted demand be. Computers is a rapidly changing enviroment. Then you need to find out what experience potential employers require. While you may be 48 years old by the time you finish a four year college, if no one will hire you after a 10 month course, you wasted your time and money. Plus you just added 10 months to that 4 year degree.

There are also internet based degrees that you can look into. I don't know how much weight is given to those, but more and more reputable colleges are offering online courses. Some of these may not require a full four years and may be cheaper than the traditional college on campus.