[thelist] Teach Old Programmer New Tricks

[Hassan Schroeder]

On Thu, Jan 27, 2011 at 1:21 PM, Fred Jones <fredthejonester at gmail.com> wrote:

>  He anyway has been out of computer work for 20 years or
> more (he's pushing 60 man).

Heh -- "pushing 60"? Lest anyone think I'm being ageist I kicked 60
aside, closed my eyes and plunged on past a few years ago. :-)

> Now he is looking to get into it because
> his other "career" has fizzled out. I told him I could advise him
> regarding web work, but my advise would probably be to forget about
> it.

I agree from your description that it would be a tall mountain to climb;
not impossible, but he would have a *lot* to learn (and unlearn) and
it doesn't sound like he's that technically focused. And obviously he
would be competing for work with people who live and breathe tech.

And if he wants to do it -- why isn't he already? There's zero barrier
to entry, if he's already got a PC. Tutorials, references, tools -- all
over the Internet, much of it free. If he can't self-start on this, then
the answer really is "forget it".

> Any other thoughts before I tell him it doesn't sound to me like it makes sense?

The "systems analyst" part could be helpful if he wanted to get into
something less technical like "program management". Yeah, that's a
crowded field, too, but it's OK for someone "older" with general biz
knowledge and skills. Just a thought.

FWIW,
-- 
Hassan Schroeder ------------------------ hassan.schroeder at gmail.com
twitter: @hassan