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Develop Yourself

#173 - Breaking into Tech After 40: The Self-Taught Developer Path with Dicky Kitchen

Sep 23, 2024
Dicky Kitchen is a self-taught developer who made his mark in tech after a career as a physical therapy assistant. He shares his inspiring journey of breaking into coding in his 40s, tackling self-doubt, and the sacrifices made along the way. Dicky discusses the importance of utilizing online resources, effectively showcasing projects, and mastering soft skills in the tech world. He emphasizes building community connections and finding joy in problem-solving while navigating career transitions. Perfect for anyone over 30 looking to enter the tech field!
47:42

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Transitioning into tech after 40 is possible by embracing passion, curiosity, and a structured approach to learning programming languages.
  • Building a portfolio and networking within the tech community are essential for showcasing skills and enhancing career opportunities as a developer.

Deep dives

Learning to Code After 40

Transitioning into tech as a self-taught coder after the age of 40 is entirely achievable. The speaker highlights that many people overestimate the importance of age in the tech field and illustrates how passion and curiosity are critical factors for success. By sharing his own journey, he emphasizes that it’s never too late to start learning programming languages like Python or HTML, echoing the sentiment that past academic performance does not dictate future capability. The conversation sheds light on the necessity of accountability in learning, using platforms such as Instagram to motivate oneself and track progress publicly.

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