Feasible career change

[mccarthyemmet]

Hi all.I'm a 43yr old gastro guy whos thinking of a career change.I have background in web/PHP, but its been a while. I've bought a Python book, and signed up for some online courses as I want to create a few apps for private use, and was interested in Python.I thought maybe I could work at it in the nearish future, at least part-time, but I dont know if thats feasible. Have others come along so late? What should I be programming? Are there worthwhile intensive courses available in Europe (I'm a native English speaker living in Germany). All helpful tips and scornful criticism welcome...Thanks in advance...

[metulburr]

In todays age, you could learn what you get from college, from YouTube. Courses can help, but not are required. You can learn just as much; if not more from just reading and coding hands on. You have a history in a language so you probably would pick it up faster than teenagers fresh to the concept. Its not a young mans job. There are people on here that have been coding since the 60's.

As for length of time to learn. It could vary. It all depends on how much time you devote to learning and actually typing out code. Ive seen people go from 0 to 60 in one years time. Most people though can become fluent in a language in a few years. If you dont devote a lot of time, it could take 10 years.

[Larz60+]

Drive and honesty were the most important factors to me.
Degrees are important, because they show dedication, but I have hired people without degrees
in both senior and starting positions based on knowledge, drive and honesty only, with emphasis on drive!