Too old to get a job in software/programming?

Amazin

I'm 37 years old this year, I'm aware the fact that the tech industry can discriminate based on age and gender alot. Will it be tough for me to get a job once I finish my studies?

tacpot12

No. It might put you at a disadvantage with certain employers, but not to the extent where you will find it difficult to get a good job.

You might reference your greater work experience if this involved using computer applications as you potentially already have some good knoweldge about user interface design, user experience and non-functional requirements.   

MalMonroe

No. And if there is any difficulty, you can report any employer for discrimination - even at the recruitment stage. I did that a few years ago and we settled out of court prior to the Tribunal case. As someone who is the reverse of your age (73) I'm still working, albeit self-employed but still working. I don't consider myself to be too old - my skills and experience are still with me!

To my mind, you are certainly not too old for anything at 37. Age shouldn't matter anyway because if you have the qualifications, experience and skill, they are what should be considered.

Employers are not allowed to discriminate following the Equality Act 2010. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

Dakta

Employers aren't allowed to disrciminate in this way but I bet it still happens and unless you can prove it....

But I do agree age really isn't a barrier - loads of people shuffling about IT jobs and the like at this age. 

ACG

MalMonroe said:

No. And if there is any difficulty, you can report any employer for discrimination - even at the recruitment stage. I did that a few years ago and we settled out of court prior to the Tribunal case. As someone who is the reverse of your age (73) I'm still working, albeit self-employed but still working. I don't consider myself to be too old - my skills and experience are still with me!

To my mind, you are certainly not too old for anything at 37. Age shouldn't matter anyway because if you have the qualifications, experience and skill, they are what should be considered.

Employers are not allowed to discriminate following the Equality Act 2010. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

We used to have a pub. 
We had a lady in her 70s and god knows how many 18 year olds over the years. 

It always amazed me when you would get to the end of a saturday night and the 70+ year old served more customers than an 18 year old. 

The 18 year olds also quite often failed the grasp that empty glasses on an empty table meant go and pick them up and wipe the table using a bit of elbow grease. We would sometimes get lucky where they would pick up the glasses and then just wet the table. 

In the pub game at least, I would have always preferred older people. They had a better work ethic and FAR more common sense. But appreciate the difference between programming and serving a pint. 

gm0

37 is OK. 

Be clear on what you are going for. Start at the entry level job adverts in an area of technology that interests you - and map back to specific implementation skills. And from that to the research you should do to buff up on those specific frameworks, technologies, syntaxes, languages.   You are not trying to create experience from thin air. But to show interest, commitment, passion matching the required job skills for the role.  Look at any self training certs as may be appropriate. 
And at any side bar projects you have done in training or can get involved in - on those technologies.  While hunting.

People expect relevant skills matching on cv and in person.  The skills they want, enthusiasm about same, and specific domain knowledge of the area, some even set implementation tests before or at interview to detect BS claims.

Languages you learned at college may not be the ones you want to work in or be those hired locally.  Which doesn't matter - provided you can a) convince that you understand software fundamentals  b) you pre-buff on the specifics that are being hired.

There is little market for a generalist I studied maths with a bit of computer science in technology who does not have a *target role* in mind.  A younger graduate as a potential first job trainee might get away with not having as clearly understood a target.  You may not be cut the same degree of slack as a first jobber.

So pick something to chase.  Infrastructure management, testing, software development/programming.  Data science engineering (machine learning etc.).  Even legacy maintenance of COBOL.  Whatever suits your talents and interests.

But something specific.  Good luck.

elsien

MalMonroe said:

No. And if there is any difficulty, you can report any employer for discrimination - even at the recruitment stage. I did that a few years ago and we settled out of court prior to the Tribunal case. As someone who is the reverse of your age (73) I'm still working, albeit self-employed but still working. I don't consider myself to be too old - my skills and experience are still with me!

To my mind, you are certainly not too old for anything at 37. Age shouldn't matter anyway because if you have the qualifications, experience and skill, they are what should be considered.

Employers are not allowed to discriminate following the Equality Act 2010. 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

Employers are generally not stupid enough to give age as a reason even if it is the case. 

I’m not saying age is an issue for the OP because I don’t know but having the equality act in place doesn’t stop people from unlawfully discriminating. Proving it is a whole different ballgame.

Amazin

gm0 said:

37 is OK. 

Be clear on what you are going for. Start at the entry level job adverts in an area of technology that interests you - and map back to specific implementation skills. And from that to the research you should do to buff up on those specific frameworks, technologies, syntaxes, languages.   You are not trying to create experience from thin air. But to show interest, commitment, passion matching the required job skills for the role.  Look at any self training certs as may be appropriate. 
And at any side bar projects you have done in training or can get involved in - on those technologies.  While hunting.

People expect relevant skills matching on cv and in person.  The skills they want, enthusiasm about same, and specific domain knowledge of the area, some even set implementation tests before or at interview to detect BS claims.

Languages you learned at college may not be the ones you want to work in or be those hired locally.  Which doesn't matter - provided you can a) convince that you understand software fundamentals  b) you pre-buff on the specifics that are being hired.

There is little market for a generalist I studied maths with a bit of computer science in technology who does not have a *target role* in mind.  A younger graduate as a potential first job trainee might get away with not having as clearly understood a target.  You may not be cut the same degree of slack as a first jobber.

So pick something to chase.  Infrastructure management, testing, software development/programming.  Data science engineering (machine learning etc.).  Even legacy maintenance of COBOL.  Whatever suits your talents and interests.

But something specific.  Good luck.

Thanks so much for your feedback, I will certainly research into which field to specialise. Ideally something with great shortage in skills supply. Hopefully the entry level jobs are not too bad when it comes to salary 

DullGreyGuy

Amazin said:

I'm 37 years old this year, I'm aware the fact that the tech industry can discriminate based on age and gender alot. Will it be tough for me to get a job once I finish my studies?

You've only mentioned your age?

Anyone without any practical experience will find it harder in the UK to get a job than someone with material experience simply because here we tend to value experience over qualifications. In many other countries the opposite is true... many of my US colleagues are shocked I dont have a MBA or ACCA to do the job I do. They are close to calling 911 when they hear I'm not even a graduate. 

There is more discrimination with entry level roles and even then it depends on your area. If you aren't bleeding edge then there is more tolerance of age and if you are experienced and in an established field then you have little to fear