Is Being a Full Stack Developer Right for Me?
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I am looking to switch careers at age 58. I have worked as an instructional designer/curriculum developer for the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, I taught myself Cold Fusion and SQL to create a project management tool for a company I was working for at the time. Around the same time, I taught myself HTML and JavaScript and built websites for fun. Recently, I learned some Swift and created a couple of simple iOS apps. I am looking at a couple of online programs (Trilogy/University of Arizona 24 week Full Stack Developer and Emeritus/MIT 32 week Full Stack Development with MERN). Before I pull the trigger, I want to make sure this is really what I'm looking for. I've enjoyed coding--the problem-solving, detail-oriented work. But in most of my "hobby" coding experience, I've had an idea for a web site or web-based application or mobile app and then I've designed the site or app and then did the coding. As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app. Am I looking at the wrong job for what I want to do? To be clear, I'm not a visual designer, graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or animator (although I do have a good sense for visual design). Is there another career path for someone who enjoys and wants to do the up-front design work for websites and web-based applications, as well as the coding?
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I am looking to switch careers at age 58. I have worked as an instructional designer/curriculum developer for the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, I taught myself Cold Fusion and SQL to create a project management tool for a company I was working for at the time. Around the same time, I taught myself HTML and JavaScript and built websites for fun. Recently, I learned some Swift and created a couple of simple iOS apps. I am looking at a couple of online programs (Trilogy/University of Arizona 24 week Full Stack Developer and Emeritus/MIT 32 week Full Stack Development with MERN). Before I pull the trigger, I want to make sure this is really what I'm looking for. I've enjoyed coding--the problem-solving, detail-oriented work. But in most of my "hobby" coding experience, I've had an idea for a web site or web-based application or mobile app and then I've designed the site or app and then did the coding. As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app. Am I looking at the wrong job for what I want to do? To be clear, I'm not a visual designer, graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or animator (although I do have a good sense for visual design). Is there another career path for someone who enjoys and wants to do the up-front design work for websites and web-based applications, as well as the coding?
Triton318 wrote:
what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation
Probably not very high, unless there are only one or two developers. Any large company generally splits things into teams and will likely separate all the functions, so you would be doing one or the other. And given your commercial experience is not that high you would probably struggle to find a job at the level you are looking for. A good first step would be to talk to some of the local recruitment agents to see what is available in your area, or even try approaching companies direct.
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I am looking to switch careers at age 58. I have worked as an instructional designer/curriculum developer for the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, I taught myself Cold Fusion and SQL to create a project management tool for a company I was working for at the time. Around the same time, I taught myself HTML and JavaScript and built websites for fun. Recently, I learned some Swift and created a couple of simple iOS apps. I am looking at a couple of online programs (Trilogy/University of Arizona 24 week Full Stack Developer and Emeritus/MIT 32 week Full Stack Development with MERN). Before I pull the trigger, I want to make sure this is really what I'm looking for. I've enjoyed coding--the problem-solving, detail-oriented work. But in most of my "hobby" coding experience, I've had an idea for a web site or web-based application or mobile app and then I've designed the site or app and then did the coding. As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app. Am I looking at the wrong job for what I want to do? To be clear, I'm not a visual designer, graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or animator (although I do have a good sense for visual design). Is there another career path for someone who enjoys and wants to do the up-front design work for websites and web-based applications, as well as the coding?
Ten years ago (and/or possibly if you were ten years younger) I'd have said yes. Now, I'd be less inclined to do so - certainly without knowing how good you are / how hard you want to work / how quick a learner you are / how much money you need to make. Getting any work in your late 50s can be difficult - more so in the tech industries, and more so when you've no commercial experience in the field. The difficulty these days (as compared to 30 years ago) is that there are now so many frameworks, IDEs, toolkits, languages, methodologies etc that the chances of even ticking all the boxes on a recruiter's wishlist are minimal, much more so when going "full stack". True, in practice if you have similar experience a quick learner can migrate their skills quickly - but recruiters don't think like that, especially when there's a 20- or 30-something already with the experience. If I were in your situation (I'm only a few years older than you) I'd be concentrating on back-end - that's where the architectural design decisions are made, and you can still do the back-end coding. In many organisations you'd have the opportunity, once established, to dabble in front-end stuff too later on, if you wished. Alternatively, if you're doing this to "keep you occupied" and already have pension / income sorted out, consider going freelance and working with small companies. You become their "one-stop-shop" and get the opportunity to directly benefit their businesses by bringing the right solutions to their problems. Choice of tech is then more determined by what you know / have access to / enjoy, you can get really hands-on at every stage. On the downside there's no-one (CodeProject excepted!) to bounce your ideas off and turn to when you're stuck. Whatever you decide, good luck (you will need it...) and have a blast!
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Ten years ago (and/or possibly if you were ten years younger) I'd have said yes. Now, I'd be less inclined to do so - certainly without knowing how good you are / how hard you want to work / how quick a learner you are / how much money you need to make. Getting any work in your late 50s can be difficult - more so in the tech industries, and more so when you've no commercial experience in the field. The difficulty these days (as compared to 30 years ago) is that there are now so many frameworks, IDEs, toolkits, languages, methodologies etc that the chances of even ticking all the boxes on a recruiter's wishlist are minimal, much more so when going "full stack". True, in practice if you have similar experience a quick learner can migrate their skills quickly - but recruiters don't think like that, especially when there's a 20- or 30-something already with the experience. If I were in your situation (I'm only a few years older than you) I'd be concentrating on back-end - that's where the architectural design decisions are made, and you can still do the back-end coding. In many organisations you'd have the opportunity, once established, to dabble in front-end stuff too later on, if you wished. Alternatively, if you're doing this to "keep you occupied" and already have pension / income sorted out, consider going freelance and working with small companies. You become their "one-stop-shop" and get the opportunity to directly benefit their businesses by bringing the right solutions to their problems. Choice of tech is then more determined by what you know / have access to / enjoy, you can get really hands-on at every stage. On the downside there's no-one (CodeProject excepted!) to bounce your ideas off and turn to when you're stuck. Whatever you decide, good luck (you will need it...) and have a blast!
DerekT-P wrote:
The difficulty these days (as compared to 30 years ago) is that there are now so many frameworks
I think the biggest hurdle is getting paid for your level of experience. Today, there are a lot of much younger people that are much more willing to relocate, work longer hours, *and for less money*, and that don't enough time in the industry to argue against pointless tech stack choices that management almost always gets wrong. I'm in my mid 60's, and I honestly feel like I'm probably in the last job I'll ever have in the industry. I have over 40 years of experience, and demand a salary commensurate with that level of experience, and realized a long time ago that there's no point in even feigning anything resembling loyalty to a corporate overlord that would fire me in a hot minute if they saw it as politically or financially beneficial to them.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
I am looking to switch careers at age 58. I have worked as an instructional designer/curriculum developer for the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, I taught myself Cold Fusion and SQL to create a project management tool for a company I was working for at the time. Around the same time, I taught myself HTML and JavaScript and built websites for fun. Recently, I learned some Swift and created a couple of simple iOS apps. I am looking at a couple of online programs (Trilogy/University of Arizona 24 week Full Stack Developer and Emeritus/MIT 32 week Full Stack Development with MERN). Before I pull the trigger, I want to make sure this is really what I'm looking for. I've enjoyed coding--the problem-solving, detail-oriented work. But in most of my "hobby" coding experience, I've had an idea for a web site or web-based application or mobile app and then I've designed the site or app and then did the coding. As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app. Am I looking at the wrong job for what I want to do? To be clear, I'm not a visual designer, graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or animator (although I do have a good sense for visual design). Is there another career path for someone who enjoys and wants to do the up-front design work for websites and web-based applications, as well as the coding?
Triton318 wrote:
As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app.
I can't speak for the industry or every job out there, but as a 50 year old "full stack" developer working in an agile environment I definitely have input into the design as that's part of agile. Generally if the role is full stack, I imagine you would have input into the design simply because in a full stack environment I imagine it's unlikely that you would get a very specific specification for anything up to and including the UI.
“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
― Christopher Hitchens
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I am looking to switch careers at age 58. I have worked as an instructional designer/curriculum developer for the last 20 years. In the late 1990s, I taught myself Cold Fusion and SQL to create a project management tool for a company I was working for at the time. Around the same time, I taught myself HTML and JavaScript and built websites for fun. Recently, I learned some Swift and created a couple of simple iOS apps. I am looking at a couple of online programs (Trilogy/University of Arizona 24 week Full Stack Developer and Emeritus/MIT 32 week Full Stack Development with MERN). Before I pull the trigger, I want to make sure this is really what I'm looking for. I've enjoyed coding--the problem-solving, detail-oriented work. But in most of my "hobby" coding experience, I've had an idea for a web site or web-based application or mobile app and then I've designed the site or app and then did the coding. As a full stack developer for a company, what are the chances that I will be involved with the actual design of the product, as well as the implementation of it? Because, as much as I enjoy the coding, I want to also be involved in the design and functionality of the site, program, or app. Am I looking at the wrong job for what I want to do? To be clear, I'm not a visual designer, graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or animator (although I do have a good sense for visual design). Is there another career path for someone who enjoys and wants to do the up-front design work for websites and web-based applications, as well as the coding?
I'd try "Big Data" analysis (analyst) based on your instructional background. Or AI / Machine Learning. Takes a while to be a "good" programmer. Knowledge AND practice.
It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it. ― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food
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DerekT-P wrote:
The difficulty these days (as compared to 30 years ago) is that there are now so many frameworks
I think the biggest hurdle is getting paid for your level of experience. Today, there are a lot of much younger people that are much more willing to relocate, work longer hours, *and for less money*, and that don't enough time in the industry to argue against pointless tech stack choices that management almost always gets wrong. I'm in my mid 60's, and I honestly feel like I'm probably in the last job I'll ever have in the industry. I have over 40 years of experience, and demand a salary commensurate with that level of experience, and realized a long time ago that there's no point in even feigning anything resembling loyalty to a corporate overlord that would fire me in a hot minute if they saw it as politically or financially beneficial to them.
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
-----
You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013This is very true. You either become a manager and never code again. Or you open your own consulting business and eventually spend more time looking for work than coding and when you do get a gig you outsource it to someone else while you go search for the next gig. I still get to code sometimes. But not as much as I want. But I do get paid fairly well and I really like my new job. sooooo,
To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer