Am i too old...

fallbayuk

fallbayuk

fallbayuk

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Joined
7 Nov 2003
Posts
1,057
...at the age of 26 to begin to learn about web design, with a long term goal of making a career out of it? I currently work in IT support but have always wanted to be able to build and design websites. Is it too late for me?
 
It's one thing being able to program or develop websites etc.. It's another thing working in a commercial environment. Just because one can program does mean you are a programmer. That said, no you are not to old providing you get some commercial experience.
 
i didnt get into the development game until i was 29 i think

did all my training when i was a youngling but then got a lucky break and now been in development for coming up to 5 years and finally am now quite well paid though it took 2/3 years to achieve it because i started at the bottom as a junior and spent 2 years being a joey picking up experience.

its very possible to do what you want you just need to show some desire to get into it and start from the bottom.

Now i laugh at how wet behind the ears i was :)

theres plenty of jobs in my experience looking for people with a good attitude that can be trained up, though a college course or 2 will help as will any portfolio of development / design will.
 
fallbayuk said:
Thanks for the positive replies. If i did give it a go, what would be the best way to kick start the process?
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I'd say the best way is to get your hands dirty, and start putting some sites together - even just really basic stuff with hand-crafted HTML and CSS.

As you come across a problem or idea that you want to implement then hit the books/Google/forums - there are some fantastic resources out there.

Take a look at some of your favourite sites too, and try to disect them.
 
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fallbayuk said:
Thanks for the positive replies. If i did give it a go, what would be the best way to kick start the process?
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Get yourself involved in open-source stuff. Even tiny bits, like reading other peoples problems on websites and then solving them yourself. Read up on the latest development process and try and apply them to your own work where possible (things like Behaviour Driven Design - though that is [I hate using the following word] "advanced")
 
You may find it easier to persevere if you have a goal to aim for. Think of some task at work that could be assisted with the use of a web application. If it's a tech support job then there should be plenty of things that might improve with a little automation - job lists, support logging, server monitoring, etc. Even if you already have a system in place there's nothing to stop you mimicing it with your own attempt.

If it's useful you may even be able to get management to let you devote some of your time to it.
 
I'm 25 and feel old.. clubs are fast losing my interest.. loud music hurts my ears and makes conversation difficult, lager louts being rowdy and sick, kids that look like they are out past their bed times and the girls show no class in wearing far too little which doesn't leave much to the imagination. :o

Where's my pipe and slippers gone?
 
Dj_Jestar said:
I'm 25 and feel old.. clubs are fast losing my interest.. loud music hurts my ears and makes conversation difficult, lager louts being rowdy and sick, kids that look like they are out past their bed times and the girls show no class in wearing far too little which doesn't leave much to the imagination. :o

Where's my pipe and slippers gone?
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You sound a lot like me and im only 19 :(
 
blitz2163 said:
You sound a lot like me and im only 19 :(
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Just what I was going to say.

We have some real class in the HTML, Graphics & Programming forum, don'tcha'know. :cool:

-edit-

As for the actual post, which I did want to reply to.

Go for it. At 26 you have plenty of life left (believe it or not ;)) and plenty of time to gain the knowledge needed to suceed. The great thing about programming (specifically web design imo) is that after learning the code, the only limit is your imagination and creativity.
 
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