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 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.
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.”
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.
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