Old Dog New Tricks

[Brian Bonney]

Greetings from Michigan 

     I am a 47 year old retired Veteran attempting to learn how to code.  Specifically, I want to develop Web Pages.  I am interested in the groups opinions pertaining to my quest.  I believe in "code" it is referred to as "Full Stack Development."  

     I have 2 degrees, both in business.  I am not interested in another piece of paper from an institution of higher learning.  Quality learning is the most important to me.  I am completing my first term with Arizona State University.  My major is Information Technology.  I took 3 classes this past term.  Of the 3, I dropped the course that is most likely the one needed most for my goals, "Programming Logic."  I fell behind and flunked the first quiz.  I am confident I could have passed the course.  I dropped the course because I didn't have a grasp on the concepts presented.  The two courses I continued with contributed little to my goals.  The classes I remained in were exercises in busy work and following directions.  Don't get me wrong.  The classes are perfect for an incoming freshman.    

     I have most of my Post 9/11 GI Bill to pay for any program that is VA approved.  This is a major factor in any decision concerning paid training.  

     My retirement is sufficient to support the ideal lifestyle for my wife and I. Consultant or independent contracting work is the end state I seek.  

     Should I remain on the current path?  Should I consider a boot camp approved by the VA?  

     Thanks in advance concerning any efforts in helping decide the preferred way ahead.  

Respectfully, 

Brian 

     

     

     

[Michael Smale]

Hey Brian

Interesting question and situation... here's my two-cents.

First I'd suggest going with Information Systems training to understand the relationship of programming to system development.  Programming is the implementation of a system, and while it is important and perhaps fundamental, it does exist in an IT ecosystem.

A web page exists in a vast eco-system of collaborating software and hardware, and getting bogged down in the detail of programming (algorithms) may make it difficult to see the wood from the trees.  You could get bogged down in the detail rather than seeing the big picture, which is especially important for a consultant.

Consultants can also piece systems together from existing components, and utilise existing software and services to compose a solution or design and implement (program) a bespoke one.

If you're interested in just learning one way to make web-pages then I'd follow through an online course at places like Pluralsight or Lynda.com.  These are low-cost and easier to follow than academic courses, however are usually very narrowly focused on a single technology.

Full-stack typically refers to the ability to develop the front-end (user interface), business logic (rules) and persistence (database) layers of a single application.

Best of luck, I hope this helps you.

Kind regards

Michael Smale