How many late starters do we have on here?

I'm a late starter (35 yrs old) in IT due to some bad personal decision in my 20's. I am currently attending school at University of DC for my computer science with a specialization in network security. I'm hoping to find a entry level job maybe in a NOC or even better a SOC. I figured most of you guys are young but I was just curious to see if anybody else had their start in IT late.

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N2IT

Agree with Devils Haircut. Most of the guys I went to school with graduated with CS degrees or CIS objected oriented programming, (the dumbed down version but programming still)

Everyone of them either graduated in 4 or 5 years and had a job immediately after school. In the major it was required that you do an IT internship your junior and senior year giving them 3 - 4 months total of programming skills in the real world. Once they hit the street it was off to the races. I think late 20's is a late start that's when I got my start and it's obvious.

Most of my friends now in their late 30's are directors some VP's or senior level architects or senior programmers.

My best friend growing up in highschool and college landed a VB development job with AT&T straight out of college at the age of 22 years old making 60,000 as a junior. That was in 2000.

logisticalstyles

I got my first IT job at 34. I'm 38 now and after loosing a great Desktop Support job I'm back working a help desk position in a call center. I want to get back to working in a desktop support role. I should have been in this role when I first started and managed to skip it, but now here I am. I'll pay my dues for a while and get some extra certs in the meantime, but I plan on getting back to were I was or better.

DissonantData

I'm not sure if I am a late starter or not. I graduated last year with a degree in Finance with a minor in Computer Science and I am currently working on certifications. I could have been prepared when I was 18 like other people and gotten a more related education. I just don't think people under the age of 25 can make very good life decisions. There is nothing wrong with starting later in life.

N2IT

@ DD that is true for me, but I know a lot of fellow college friends who are all doing well. They all went straight for the CS degree and now are doing really well. Andy is a senior big data architect for a fortune 100, Mike is a senior BA fully remote travels all over the world makes 100+, Dan is a senior Java programmer, Kraig is a district VP for Cisco sales, Dan x2 is a VP for Century Link / Savvis and Scott designs chips for Intel. I think my situation is very rare but I am the trash bag out of all of us. We used to go out party drink and have fun. They all went the CS route I went the business admin route. Barf! These are highschool friends too. Ugh I need to keep away from threads like these.

DissonantData

N2IT wrote: »

@ DD that is true for me, but I know a lot of fellow college friends who are all doing well. They all went straight for the CS degree and now are doing really well. Andy is a senior big data architect for a fortune 100, Mike is a senior BA fully remote travels all over the world makes 100+, Dan is a senior Java programmer, Kraig is a district VP for Cisco sales, Dan x2 is a VP for Century Link / Savvis and Scott designs chips for Intel. I think my situation is very rare but I am the trash bag out of all of us. We used to go out party drink and have fun. They all went the CS route I went the business admin route. Barf! These are highschool friends too. Ugh I need to keep away from threads like these.

What happened to you is unfortunate. At least after my experience with business school I now have the sense not to go for an MBA. I plan to pursue a masters degree in something more useful like IT or CS. I'm just not sure which one is more achievable at this time and is more worthwhile. I hope things get better for you.

N2IT

I think at a certain age things change, but if you are in your 20's I would consider the CS. People downplay it on here all the time, but from my perspective it's the big boy, it's a game changer. There are exceptions, but the CS from a solid university is going to put you in positions you would never had a chance to get prior. I will always believe that.

BTW I have my MBA lol.

Jon_Cisco

bermovick wrote: »

How in the world are people still in their 20's considering themselves as "late starters"? It boggles the mind!

I got my CCNA at 38 and my first IT job at 40.

Its only after you have 10-30 years in a career that you can start to gain that long term perspective.

I am 40 and working on a future career change. I have worked on computers and been responsible for most IT related tasks at my companies but I work in printing and the opportunities are fading fast. I started working on an associates in computer science last year and will switch careers after i get my degree. I know its a bit if a late start officially but i have 25 years to go so I dont see any limitations.

citrus_sugar

I was in restaurants from 14-28 and just got burned out being a chef and working seasonal. Filled out a FAFSA just for fun, and when I found out I was eligible for lots of grants because I never went to college. We all have different paths.

shart1971

Just 4 months into my IT career. I really wanted a new fresh start. Also, I an in college for my AAS degree in computer information systems. a couple of certifications. BTW, I am 42 years old. Its never to late to start.

Alexsmith

I actually have a similar experience as N2IT, out of my small group of friends I noticed that some out of college after they got their CS degree obtained Database Admin, IT Security for DOD and my ex even ended up in a VP role for a small company after starting off as a Java programmer. Other in the group though ended up worse off after graduating so it depends on the life situation and the person.

bryguy

"It's never too late to be the person you always wanted to be..." Whether you consider yourself a late starter in your mid 20's just trying to figure out what you want to do, or you're pushing 40 like myself and you're still in school. Everyone has their own path and life circumstances that shaped who they are. Don't regret where you've been- those stumbling blocks made you the person you are today.

kohr-ah

My father started his career at 32. Started as a blue print designed for hospital equipment for the company where we lived. He made piddidily squat.

He took a chance and went into sales and worked his butt off and in 5 years became the too salesman and very well set.

Reason for this post is just as the others said doesn't matter the age if you start at 30 or 40 just because you didn't start at 22 doesn't mean you aren't doing it right. I feel at 32 I am making better logical decisions about my career than I would have at 23.

kappaking09

I'm 47 and just returning to the field and I have no regrets.

Gorby

My father had to start over his career at 35. Went to school for computer science and found a job as a junior DBA. He makes good money now years later so I believe regardless of when you start as long as you put the work in its never to late.

Params7

Really motivating thread tbh. I'd like to add the NOC I work at just hired a person in his late 40s. He has A+, N+ and working as entry level tech. Another great thing about him, he keeps in shape and looks better than our younger level 3 engineers. This man is always seeing the brighter side of things, there's a lot I'm learning from him.

W Stewart

shodown wrote: »

Started at 27. Look at my post over the years and you can see the progression I've made. I'm glad I started closer to 30 than 20. I knew what I wanted and was able to turn off the BS. I have a bunch of NOC guys right now who are like 19-22. They could be where I am in 5 years, but sadly I only see that one of them really wants it. The rest of them are content playing steam games all day and night and will wonder whey they are still in the NOC when they are 30.

I know exactly what you mean.

White Wizard

Very motivating thread.

I always felt that I was way behind compared to others especially when you see younger guys with more certs and more experience in a position that you desire.

I've found that you should never compare yourself to others because everyones circumstances are different. Best thing to do is charge ahead and make every day count towards getting to where you want to be and achieving your goals.

New2ITinCali

White Wizard wrote: »

Very motivating thread.

I always felt that I was way behind compared to others especially when you see younger guys with more certs and more experience in a position that you desire.

I've found that you should never compare yourself to others because everyones circumstances are different. Best thing to do is charge ahead and make every day count towards getting to where you want to be and achieving your goals.

I totally agree with you. I've been trying so hard to enter the field, and I know some people who don't have a college education or cert's and they've easily transitioned into I.T. I sometimes compare myself with people like them, and I don't understand why I'm having so much difficulty when I studied the subject the 2 years straight in college and I did everything I thought was necessary to prepare myself for entry into the field. I guess it's just a matter of timing and I've learned to accept the fact that everyone's journey is different.

shortygirl

Me! I'll be 28 this year. I started in IT about a year ago after trying different "female" fields that I was told would work better. I am MUCH happier in IT. Oh and I have four children.

SwitchingGears

47 here and I'm only a year into school/IT courses. For the past 25 years I've worked as a Private Investigator - first as a trainee, then an employee, then I bought the company I worked for (employees and all), but for the past 13 years I have worked for myself.

I'm super excited about my transition and am not too worried about my age. With age comes the ability to understand and work with people, a life skill which is missing with a lot of the younger kids I'm in class with. That, and true passion for the field, many of my classmates are only chasing money. Been there, done that - and now I'm settling on something I enjoy!

ADMITTEDLY, it's not easy going back to school 25 years later...the ole' brain is not as quick as it once was. Slowly, but surely, I'll get there!

draught

I'm surprised how many start just where I did at 27 to 28 it's almost the norm at least from the first few pages I looked at. Granted we can all regret we can't be 18 and magically do everything right. Remember though even that non-IT life experience counts and counts a lot. Remember being 20? Still kids I'd say.

Also I love the progression. I came to this forum before I even had a basic A+ and now I'm finishing my second Cisco Cert and getting my bachelor's degree.

ILUVIT

Going on 29 this year. I finished my bachelor's degree at the age of 26 and shortly before graduation landed my first IT job as helpdesk. Sometimes I wish I had started earlier but everything happens for a reason and for the most part I'm content where I'm at and how far I've come in so little time.

Zorodzai

White Wizard wrote: »

Very motivating thread.

I always felt that I was way behind compared to others especially when you see younger guys with more certs and more experience in a position that you desire.

I've found that you should never compare yourself to others because everyones circumstances are different. Best thing to do is charge ahead and make every day count towards getting to where you want to be and achieving your goals.

So true....for a long time I always felt I was way behind because I don't have a degree. Now I realise a degree or certs alone do not the techie make - it's about finding the path one is passionate on and learning as much as you can. In our field the learning never stops.

JaneDoe

draught wrote: »

I'm surprised how many start just where I did at 27 to 28 it's almost the norm at least from the first few pages I looked at. Granted we can all regret we can't be 18 and magically do everything right. Remember though even that non-IT life experience counts and counts a lot. Remember being 20? Still kids I'd say.

I went to finish my degree in a tech field at 26, and I'll finish school at almost 28. I don't think of myself as a late starter. When I was younger I didn't take life seriously or know what I wanted. I had the time of my life and found my passion in IT. I wouldn't take those years back for the world. Now I'm ready to settle down and start my career.

Our society is crazy to tell people they should all go to college out of high school. We should encourage kids to get minimum wage jobs and party their butts off until they figure out why it's not a good idea for themselves.

ITforyears

I started my IT career at 21 and should have been a stockbroker lol. I am just joking. This is an excellent field of work.

Snow.bros

Tyb wrote: »

I worked for 14 years in corrections and was a Sergeant when I decided to resign and move to something I enjoyed. I busted my tail over the next two years to get my AAS in IT and was just accepted the LAN Specialist position at a local college. It's never too late to switch up as long as you enjoy what you are doing and if you're in a field that you are dissatisfied with make a change; in the long run you will be much happier for it.

With so many certs?? How old where you when you first started and how many years of experience do you have in the IT industry now?

CompSci99

I'm 24 and starting my A+ cert and Computer Science degree.

Very motivating thread. Good luck guys! Keep pushing!

Master Of Puppets

I don't have anything to contribute to this thread but I do want to say that what you guys are doing is great. Making a career change later in life is very challenging for some people and it's great if you see it through. I've seen a lot of people fail this endeavour. There really is no such thing as starting late. Additionally, I doubt that the ones starting at 20-something, are actually late.

N2IT

Agreed staying motivated is important in this field. Even if it's just reading 10 minutes a day extra over time that will help.

david1106

Career changer who just turned 30. First IT job as IT help support but looking forward to become either network or systems admin soon. This is a great post, very motivating!