Growing numbers of older Americans are learning a skill that should give them a leg up in the job search process.
Money reports that Americans — both old and young — are learning to code by attending college “boot camp” courses popping up across the country.
These courses teach you to code — that is, to write computer programs — in just a few months. According to Money:
“Right now is the perfect time to get your foot in the door in Silicon Valley: By 2020, there will be more open jobs in the technology sector than workers who can fill them, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “
In some of these college coding boot camps, up to one-quarter of students are at least 40, Money says. The publication also points out that learning to code typically costs less — and can be accomplished much faster — than many other types of study.
Federal government statistics show that median pay for computer programmers was nearly $85,000 in 2018. So, now might be the time to check with colleges in your area to find out if there is a boot camp near you.
Landing a good job after age 50
Trying to find a new job after the age of 50 can be challenging. Yes, age discrimination is illegal. But we all know it still happens.
Older workers have to be extra careful to make sure their age is an advantage — and not an obstacle — when looking for a new job. To avoid making common mistakes, check out “9 Ways to Screw Up a Job Search When You’re 50 or Older.”
Sometimes, going back to school — whether for coding or something else — can make sense for older workers. But there are times when more schooling can be a mistake. As Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson has written:
“Sure, it’s always good to be educated. We’ve got a surplus of stupid people in the world. But if your perspective is purely financial — and you want to get more value from a degree than it costs — before you leap, get an idea of exactly what that degree is going to do for you.”
For more from Stacy, check out “2-Minute Money Manager: I’m 50 — Should I Go Back to School for a Master’s Degree?”
Have you gone back to school in hopes of landing a better job? Share what you learned from the experience in comments below or on our Facebook page.
Add a Comment
Our Policy: We welcome relevant and respectful comments in order to foster healthy and informative discussions. All other comments may be removed. Comments with links are automatically held for moderation.