5 ms·

I think it's good advice to get a degree in general. I would think about testing out taking a CS course and see if you enjoy it and is something you like. You'

by saluki 11y ago

I think it's good advice to get a degree in general. I would think about testing out taking a CS course and see if you enjoy it and is something you like. You'll never regret having a degree. That said at this point in your career I'm not sure how many more doors it will open for you and you'll have to weigh the time spent vs knowledge gained. Another option is maybe a BS in Science in something other than CS that you could do online that would take less time/focus, but CS would probably be the best fit for your skill set and future employment. Grandparents are great and have lots of knowledge. The employment landscape has changed though, previously a degree was a ticket to a secure corporate gig till retirement. Now you have companies laying off employees in their 40s to hire lower cost employees, benefits are being reduced, etc. So I don't see a corporate gig as more secure than contracting or freelancing. Another option is to focus on leveling up to increase your salary/savings. Your grandfather would probably feel a lot better if he knows you have the skills to obtain contract employment easily and are making $50+/hr as a contractor. So maybe share how much you're making and that you have multiple offers when you are ready for a new contract position. I would recommend leveling up to increase your earning power vs. a CS degree, unless it's something you would enjoy/want to have personally. I don't think you'll learn video game development at university. That's something you would learn on your own making games. Check out the startups for the rest of us podcast. It has good information on planning for your own products/businesses while working your day/contractor job . . . most of this will apply to making the leap to independent video game developer. I would say open your options up . . . success in independent video games (Notch/Minecraft) is a bit like a lottery ticket. So this might be something you strive for but realize it might turn in to a nice hobby or niche with a small following with a chance of a billion dollar payoff or maybe a fulltime income or maybe just something you do for fun/side income. You probably don't want to do contract work forever. So plan to launch your own products, maybe a SaaS app, some type of recurring revenue so you don't have to chase contracts/projects full time. This could also help give you more time to learn/run your independent video game development studio. Check out everything by patio11 (lots of great articles/advice), http://startupsfortherestofus.com http://startupsfortherestofus.com podcast (and previous microconf videos) and Amy Hoy's stacking the bricks video. Good luck with the direction you go. Good luck sounds like you're on the right track.

robotkilla 11y ago
These comments are a big relief. All except these: > laying off employees in their 40s > hire lower cost which raises the question: what should a 34 year old developer be planning to do by time he is in his 40s? I'm realizing now that this might be the crux of my situation.
- saluki 11y ago
  I wouldn't worry too much . . . just keep it in mind . . . the future is filled with all sorts of unknowns . . . not 100% of developers will get laid off/replaced by cheaper labor but it's a possibility (Disney, CA Power company, in the news recently). I'd recommend exploring having your own product/app/business if that interests you vs. depending on a company long term. But lots of changes are going to come about in the next 10 to 15 year. Automation . . . interstate trucking, uber cars, garbage trucks, restaurants, this will eliminate a lot of jobs and businesses that provide services (truck stops, etc). So being a developer your job is more secure than a lot of careers that are going to be going through major changes. Don't fear, worry about change, just be prepared/ready. If you're talented I expect you can be a contract developer for as long as you want. But explore other options/opportunities.
- twunde 11y ago
  There are developer jobs out there for 40+ year-olds. I worked with a developer who was 70+ for a little over a year. What some people do is they move to tech management positions such as CTO, programming manager, or work as software architects. That really depends on what you enjoy doing thou.

by saluki 11y ago

robotkilla 11y ago

These comments are a big relief. All except these: > laying off employees in their 40s > hire lower cost which raises the question: what should a 34 year old developer be planning to do by time he is in his 40s? I'm realizing now that this might be the crux of my situation.

saluki 11y ago
I wouldn't worry too much . . . just keep it in mind . . . the future is filled with all sorts of unknowns . . . not 100% of developers will get laid off/replaced by cheaper labor but it's a possibility (Disney, CA Power company, in the news recently). I'd recommend exploring having your own product/app/business if that interests you vs. depending on a company long term. But lots of changes are going to come about in the next 10 to 15 year. Automation . . . interstate trucking, uber cars, garbage trucks, restaurants, this will eliminate a lot of jobs and businesses that provide services (truck stops, etc). So being a developer your job is more secure than a lot of careers that are going to be going through major changes. Don't fear, worry about change, just be prepared/ready. If you're talented I expect you can be a contract developer for as long as you want. But explore other options/opportunities.
twunde 11y ago
There are developer jobs out there for 40+ year-olds. I worked with a developer who was 70+ for a little over a year. What some people do is they move to tech management positions such as CTO, programming manager, or work as software architects. That really depends on what you enjoy doing thou.