Comments on: 22. Am I old enough?

By: Burningmace

Burningmace — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 18:23:01 +0000

I’ve been coding since I was 8 years old. After 10 years, I’m pretty well versed in about 20 different programming languages (but mainly code in VB, sometimes venturing off to C++). Back when I was 16 I wrote an administration program for my school, allowing the tech staff to invoke windows update simultaneously on all systems, or on all systems in one building/room. I got payed £200 for it. I don’t see a problem with starting young, or being employed young. Younger people have better imaginations and learn much more quickly.

By: faded

faded — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 05:58:53 +0000

Just so that you don’t judge these people too rapidly, sometimes law might be a constraint as well.

In Japan for instance, you must have a 4 year degree or 10 years of proven experience (meaning references needed) to be able to get an engineer visa. Knowing the singapore people to be very strict and formal, I would not be surprised that they have similar laws regarding working visa. OTOH, they should have at least contacted you again to explain the situation.

Cheers,

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:56:15 +0000

Although I’m a little late, you and I share the same birthday as the rest of the 80′s children. Geez, hope I don’t sound to weird about saying that.

Gabe.

By: Wilmar

Wilmar — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 07:09:50 +0000

oh man, I’m 22 too. I think that was gross what they did. If you are “capable” to work, the age doesn’t matter. After all, you’re good on your field, just keep the way you are.

By: Hismann

Hismann — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 06:00:36 +0000

Hi Jon!

Got to this blog by chance. What have been said by ‘Singapore Expat’ pretty much summed what I wanted to comment on this topic. But given the chance, I think you’d better not be employed by the company or ANY Singaporean company: they’ll work you to death.

You’ve got so much to offer and thank goodness your CV wasn’t even considered. Can’t bear the thought if they did though….

By: Scott Ellsworth

Scott Ellsworth — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 20:09:57 +0000

Age is always a problem. When you are 20, you look too young. When you are 30, you are older than the young turks coming out of college. Hit 40, and you are suddenly too old to code in most people’s minds.

The simple truth is this – people are scared by all changes. If an interviewer takes a liking to you, that will overwhelm their worry about the change you represent. If not, then ‘you are too young’ is an excuse – the fact is that they are scared by _any_ new person.

I finally decided to do what I like, and to assume that the money would follow. It pretty much did – I am not an internet bazillionaire, but I get paid to do interesting and challenging work, and to do it with people I like. All in all, pretty keen.

Scott

By: Jukka

Jukka — Sun, 11 Dec 2005 23:19:22 +0000

Well, it’s not so bad as long as you know that you’ve got the skill. Some years later, you may thank yourself for not getting the job and doing whatever you did instead.

Jenny, thanks for brilliant comment.
And Jon, Good Birthday to you. We all owe you some.

By: david

david — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 22:26:48 +0000

Pathetic, like walking in a shop and taking the good of the shelf, going to the check out and just before you pay asking to see the functional specification. Leave it on the shelf as the questions, ask for the cv and then offer the job but not the other way round. They were simply milking you for your knowledge.

So many average managers in trumped up jobs who in the end can’t spot a guru if he/she sat on there face!

Me? I never doubt determination.

By: Singapore Expat

Singapore Expat — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 16:34:04 +0000

Tell me about it… Singapore still in the dark ages when it comes to its society… they do not have democracy there…. the island is owned by Lee’s family and there is no way you can prove anything in court there in case your case does not lay down with the way of thinking of the ruling family…they control everything.

On top of that the culture of the dominant ethnical group makes it even worse. They suppress other national minorities. But officially have propaganda that says that their society is open and fair… such a lie…

Anyway even if you got the job and were to move there, I think after few years you would have seen the whole ugliness of the live there… not worth it…

No public elections, execution of the people, secret services and ignorance to the other cultures makes it wrong place to invest your energy and time…

By: Willis

Willis — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 21:13:35 +0000

Hello, I’m just a PC guy getting into the MAC world and doing allot of research. I’ve been reading about you and the things you’ve done and been threw. You have allot going for you, don’t stop dreaming, & most of all be true to who you are.

Happy Birthday & Keep up the Good work,
Willis
I’m in the South Bay Area (San Jose) if you need anything.