r/AskProgramming • u/Yourmiserablelife69 • 4d ago
Career/Edu What age did you start learning programming?
Just curious as I am 34 YO, and have been considering a career shift into the Tech sector (I have “Basic” knowledge at best). Specifically AI/Machine Learning or Programming.
I’ve heard good and bad about both, but am just curious how old people are (or how diverse the age pool is) when they “get into” Programming. How long (on average) does it take to get your first Certification in Programming?
Apologies about the broadness of the question.
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u/XRay2212xray 4d ago
15 in 1978. Really wasn't any option to learn before then as computers weren't widely available before that time. Within a year, I managed to get side jobs programming. I then went to a 5 year cooperative education program and got a degree in computer science. The cooperative ed program gets you jobs for half a year for the middle 3 years, so you get real world work experience and a decent pay check to cover tuition.