How to Switch into Tech at 50

Just because the average person makes a career change at age 39 doesn’t mean professional reinvention is off-limits to those 40 and older.

In fact, research shows making a switch later in life is good for you. Not only does voluntarily changing jobs between the ages of 55 and 64 help workers see wage growth of 3.5%, it also helps them gain more satisfaction with their work and makes them significantly more likely to be employed at age 60 — an important outcome, considering the median retirement age is now 63. 

If you feel ready for a mid-life pivot, too, we believe tech could be a great next chapter. Here’s why — plus five steps for transitioning into the industry successfully.

First things first, you can absolutely make the change

Despite its reputation as an industry populated by twenty-somethings, tech offers many rewarding careers for people of all ages and stages of life. We know because we’re seeing it happen for our TripleTen students such as Jason Knight_{Is It Too Late To Learn A Technical Skill Like Software Engineering?} and Robert Pickett_{7 Strategies to Launch a BIA Journey}.

Jason Knight, software engineering student

Jason was 52 when he decided to become a software engineer. At that point, he was working full time helping his wife run their small restaurant. Prior to that, he’d spent two decades as an ICU nurse and had even held roles as an outdoor guide and licensed contractor.

50 is not too late. It’s the perfect time. Jason Knight, TripleTen student

“Although these pursuits weren’t necessarily technology-centered, I felt like I could take skills from each one and apply them to my future in software engineering,” said Jason. “I had all these thoughts and questions, like is it too late to learn a technical skill such as software engineering?”

After researching his options and talking to a TripleTen advisor, Jason found his answer. No, it wasn’t too late for him and so he decided to join our Software Engineering Bootcamp. “52 is the perfect time,” said Jason. “I know technology has and will continue to improve our lives. I want to be part of that future and I believe my age and experience are nothing but an asset.”

Robert Pickett, business intelligence analytics student

Although he’s been using computers since the ’80s, Robert realized he wanted to switch careers to something more data-oriented after spending a decade in semi-technical roles and retail positions. So he decided to challenge himself with data analysis at nearly 60 years old.

If this old dog can learn something new, so can you. Robert Pickett, TripleTen student

Robert joined our Business Intelligence Analytics Bootcamp to help make progress on his career goals. From mastering data analysis, SQL, and advanced spreadsheet skills to honing data visualization techniques with Tableau and Power BI, every step has been about growth.

“When first learning to ride a bike, it can feel impossible at first, but then it clicks,” said Robert. “Business intelligence analytics is kind of like that. The first TripleTen sprint had me scratching my head. Now, I’m turning data into insights like a pro.”

The steps to take

So how do you take a great idea like transitioning into tech at 50 and make it reality? The following five suggestions offer guidance on the actions you’ll need to accomplish before making a career switch — all while helping build up your confidence that you’ve got this along the way.

1. Reflect on your interests

The best place to begin is by identifying your strengths, any sustained interests throughout your career history, and what your professional values are today. This exercise helps you to take stock of where you’re at and where you can go next — all while staying honest to what drives you.

The following five prompts can help you navigate this internal exploration. Don’t feel like you have to answer them all at once. Instead, take your time to work through each one and even revisit your answers after you’ve taken a break from them; then, refine your answers even more.

Related read: Ditch Your Bad Job to Reclaim Professional Dignity_{More Than Money: Ditch Your Bad Job to Reclaim Professional Dignity}

2. Do your research

If you’re completely new to the tech industry, it can be a bit overwhelming — from the jargon (so many acronyms_{Tech Jobs That You Don’t Think Are Tech Jobs}), to the different subsectors (fintech, insurtech, and HR tech, oh my!_{What Is a Technical Job, and What Does “Working in Tech” Really Mean?}), to the different career paths (what is code and no-code_{10 Most Rewarding Careers in Tech}, anyway?), there’s a lot to learn.

The most important thing to remember as you go is to not get discouraged. By the time you finish reskilling for your new career, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable with the industry. Until then, it’s helpful to start familiarizing yourself with different tech jobs and what they entail.

‍Related read: Reclaim Your Time and Your Health — Switch to the Anytime Shift_{Reclaim Your Time and Your Health — Switch to the Anytime Shift}

3. Identify transferable skills

Even if you’ve hardly used technology in your professional life to date, chances are good you already have a variety of skills that tech companies are looking for in their hires — specifically, soft skills like leadership and communication that 65% of employers_{What Employers Want From Bootcamp Grads} rank as important qualities.

Identifying what you bring to the table before you start learning capabilities is a nice confidence boost, but it also weeds out abilities you don’t need to acquire. That means your timeline for launching a new career could be even shorter than you might anticipate today.

Related read: Why Are Soft Skills Important?_{Why are soft skills important?}

4. Understand your education options

While the idea of returning to college might thrill you, it’s also a big investment — of both time and money. Luckily, you have alternative choices to a computer science degree for learning hard skills needed for a tech career, e.g., a professional bootcamp or independent training.

We’re big proponents of professional bootcamps at TripleTen for their flexibility, affordability, and effectiveness_{Yes, Our Bootcamp Is Flexible. Here’s Why That Matters for Students.}, but we also realize it’s not the right choice for everyone. If you are knowledgeable about tech and highly self-motivated, you might find independent training the best path forward.

‍Related read: College vs. Bootcamp: Which Learning Model to Choose_{College vs. Bootcamp: Which Learning Model to Choose}

5. Put your plan into action

Now that you have a better idea of where you are headed in your career (and how you’ll get there), it’s time to put your plan into action.This doesn’t mean jumping into your learning journey right away, but setting milestones, creating a timeline, and putting together your budget.

By this step, you’ll likely have a solid idea of where things like mentorship or career coaching are coming from, but just in case you decide to go it alone with an independent approach, the following list of final considerations can help you find the support you need for success.

Related read: Breaking into Tech: Employer Secrets for Success

One easy way to start gearing up for a career in tech

Want more guidance on navigating to a new career? Check out our free checklist for getting hired in tech. Consider it your career GPS.

Inside, you’ll find actual must-dos for your job search, how to craft a compelling professional narrative, and ways to track your progress with actionable tips. Everything has been vetted and supported by TripleTen career coaches, so you know it’s expert-grade advice.