Am I Too Old to Learn to Code?

It’s not uncommon for prospective students to worry that they’re too old to learn to code, or that it’s simply too late for them to switch careers. But DigitalCrafts students prove again and again that it’s never too late to pursue what you’re passionate about. We’ve seen students of all ages graduate from our classes and succeed in the tech industry, whether they were 18 or well into their 60s.

You Are Not Too Old to Learn to Code

People learn to code for different reasons. Some people simply want to change their careers. Others want to explore entrepreneurship, or maybe they’re considering a role that’s similar to their current position but requires more technical skills, like a marketer who wants to become a technical writer.

Yet others want to build upon their existing technical skills or learn how to better work with software engineers. People in this last group include project managers and managers who are new to leading a team of developers.

Regardless of your reasoning, we’re here to help you explore these in-demand skills and provide support each step of the way. In fact, one of our instructors made a video to address the misconception that there is an age limit on learning to code.

Web Development is for All Ages

If you are a career changer, there can be benefits to having years of work experience. In addition to the confidence and poise that often come with time, you'll bring an array of skills and talents to the table—ones that a more junior candidate may not have.

Ask yourself these questions and then use the answers in your cover letter and interviews during your job search.

How does your past experience help a company and team product embrace diversity, become more successful or increase profits?

• How might the network you’ve built over time be helpful in your new role?
• What people management experience would you bring to the team?
• What other skills do you have? Don’t forget about skills related to strategy, leadership, communication and conflict resolution, or the ability to prioritize tasks.

Programming is a skill that can be useful in a wide range of roles, industries, and levels within a company’s organizational structure. Learning to code illustrates that you’re flexible, open to learning new skills and an asset with reach outside of your current role or department. By adding coding to your toolkit, you can help your resume or LinkedIn profile potentially stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

Potential Career Paths to Consider

There are multiple career paths open to pursue for those who know how to code, and not all of them require you to start over in an entry-level position. Here are just a few potential career paths you could explore:

• Software Engineer
• Web Developer
• Technical Help Desk Support
• Technical Writer
• Product Manager
• Software Application Developer
• Scrum Master
• CRM Technical Developer
• Digital Marketing Analyst

How to Decide Whether a Coding Bootcamp Is Right for You

There’s one thing that students who do well in our programs have in common, regardless of age and background: They’re committed to working hard towards real change in their lives.

With that in mind, you will need to be realistic about a few things when deciding to start a bootcamp:

Do you have the time to commit to a bootcamp? You’ll need to be present during class, of course, but you will also need additional time to study and work on projects.

Do you learn well in a classroom setting? You’ll need to actively participate and follow along, while also allowing others to participate in class. If you have a question, you’ll need to advocate for yourself by asking questions as they arise or reaching out to your TA.

Are you prepared to focus and work hard? Remaining focused on the lecture or assignment is critical to your academic success.

Start Learning Now

There are a few things you can do now to begin preparing for class:

Self-study is important. The more you know before coming into class, the deeper you’ll be able to go into each topic. Our programs are approachable for beginners, but we strongly encourage some self-study for everyone, especially those with little to no technical background.

There are countless free or low-cost online study aids to help you prepare for our programs. For web development, you may want to try Codecademy and freeCodeCamp, with Learn JS and MDN Web Docs as solid supplementary resources.

Complete the Intro Work

This work is essential for helping you get familiar with basic concepts and will give you a solid foundation that we’ll build upon in class. While not required, this work is highly recommended.

Ready to take the next step and launch your career in tech?

Download our course catalog for more information about our programs.

DigitalCrafts cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. REQ1831263.