Career advice about programming.

[karamouzouklis]

I am thinking of returning back to school to get a degree in Computer programming.

Thing is that when i am finished, I will be around 34-35 years old.
Now I work as a Cop.

How realistic is to think that at that age i will be able to have good job offers in the field? Will i be considered an old goose, and the best Job I will ever get till I retire, is to do entry level programming?

I understand that at first I wont land a high level job, but will I be stuck there even if I gain good experience after few years?

Thank you.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Honestly, look at the job market right now. The entire area is saturated with programmers just looking for work. I'd say programming is not the field to be getting into right now. Also, unless you already have experience a company usually wants someone right out of college.

 

[karamouzouklis]

thank you for your reply.

i have some experience with C++ but its not to the point that companies will be all over me to hire me. Far from it.

And I thought that programming is the way to go to get a realy good job. From what I hear Network Admins have a harder time to get a job.
And again, this is from what I hear...i am not sure how correct this is.

 

[Cerebus451]

I think you will find some prejudices by not being a 22 year old college grad, but I think you would find that in just about any field, and they should be few and far between. By and large, however, you should be treated just like any other college grad, but with a bit of an edge since you are not new to the work force. The trick would be to apply your knowledge as a cop to your new career (such as looking for a job with the FBI and such). So long as you are not expecting to get paid like a 34-35 year old programmer that's been programming for 13 years out of college, you should do OK.

However, as TheGrandCow stated, the job market for programmers right now is sh!t. You are running a mild risk that it will still be that way when you graduate (plus all those that are graduating in the interim might also still be looking for jobs). Again, you will have a slight edge since you aren't exactly fresh off the turnip truck.