| Twice! I left engineering (non-CS) at 36 y/o to become a firefighter-paramedic. Long story short, took EMT-Basic at night for shits and giggles, realized I really liked it. Then went to paramedic school afterwards not knowing what I was going to do with it. Close to graduation from PM, county FD was hiring paramedic only and cross training to be FF as well. I figured if I didn't do it then I never would so I did. The best career decision I ever made. I stayed for 14 years before covid scared me away due to a chronic medical condition I have. I was married and we had just had our 1st child. (Still married, oldest graduated H.S. this year and our other is a sophomore in H.S.). During the 14 years as a FF/PM, I felt I needed a backup plan in case I got hurt or my medical condition got to the point I had to leave (thought of this WAY before covid). I went back to school for a master's in CS, online. I was 40 y/o when I started school and completed at 45 y/o. After graduation I worked a few part time, remote jobs as a software developer. Then in 2020 covid hit, I had enough, and started applying for CS jobs. Landed my 1st full time gig at 50 y/o. Stayed for 2 years and then, last year at 52 y/o I landed a new software dev position. Never once, even the positions I interviewed for but did get the job, did I feel my age was a factor. It was never my plan to have a diverse and disjointed resume, it just happened. I did things I felt were in the best interest for my family and/or me, with an eye on the future. |