Age and Web Design dose it matter?

supafly · 06-16-2005

I was talking to my dad about this dose it matter what age you are when it comes down to getting a job as a web designer or is it a matter of knowning your stuff!

Thing is I'm 24 FINALY sorting my life out by going to college and learning web design (all ready done one course hopfully doing the next one which goes into php and asp coding and stuff can't wait) and I'll be 25 next year and I don't know where I'll be standing in the world of web design (it's defantly something I want to do as it's somethnig I really enjoy)

So what do u guys things dose age mater or what??

(yes long post but I've drank coffeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

)

ConceptualMind · 06-17-2005

In terms of experience, I've seen some web developers who are in their teens that do OUTSTANDING work. They definetely know their material. However, age is a limitation when it comes to getting a job. A potential client would probably hire someone who is in their 20s over a teenager. It's basically age discrimination. In general, people think teenagers aren't responsible. Additionally, teens cannot sign a contract. I believe you have to be 18.

In your case, however, I don't think 24 is too old to start anything. You have nothing to worry about. Heck, there are guys past their 40s that are designing websites. The web hasn't been around that long, so at earliest they probably started around the same age as you.

If you would like to talk to someone with first hand experience, ask Order. He has a job at a web firm and can give you some insight.

It's never late to start anything. Whether you're young or "old," don't let age limit you.

**Bub** · 06-17-2005

I have a buddy that got his first job at age 12 or 13 for an oil company in Florida... He's been going nonstop since...

**Man1c M0g** · 06-17-2005

I don't know about all of you, but I found that I became much more focused and appreciated learning more when I actually had less time to do it! As a teenager I used to play games with all my free time and little else, but now that I work I go to the gym, run Biorust.com, and loads of other stuff besides in the drastically reduced spare time that I have...

ParaSnake · 06-18-2005

This is the survey which started on Pcworld Vietnamese version:

++ Question:The most favourite IT`s job
- Hardware - 893 hits - 19%
- Programmer - 1304 hits - 27%
- Design - 1003 hits - 21%
- Network related - 1599 hits - 33%

The most reason why Programmers are ordered below Network related is their ages,while many sys admins are high rated with their experiments belong with their ages.So 40`s might be the limitation for many programmers,but i have a friend,Indonesian,,hes now 32,working for a big company(i cant type Indonesian in here lolz ^^),he told me that the secret is to learn , learn ,learn more,update everything you thing its neccessary for your job.
So why to be scared while you are only 24???

Order · 06-20-2005

It is actually quite important, age is the most important thing that can determine if you get the job or not.. in construction, most labor is kept young, and older people are discrimated against.. my father, who is 40 sees this quite often, but he is a plumber, so it does not affect him.

I started working as a web designer / developer when I was 17, the company I work for made it clear that they were taking a risk in taking me on, and that I "had better be worth their time". I have been working here for about 9 months, and there are few complaints against me (even though my old boss has left, and I have an arse for one now.)

If I were 20-25, I would have been hired and nothing else would have been thought, but I was not when I was, and it has made my job much harder (try going to school and working as a web developer sometime..), and it places stress on the business ("Can you work fulltime yet?")...

Face it, we live in a world where everyone wants the best, yet no one really wants to work for it.

@ConceptualMind: A person under the age of 18 in the United States can legally enter into a contact, however they cannot be held liable if the contract is not completed. So you can sign something now, however it cannot be held in court against you.

Milkdrop · 06-29-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Order

I started working as a web designer / developer when I was 17, the company I work for made it clear that they were taking a risk in taking me on, and that I "had better be worth their time". I have been working here for about 9 months, and there are few complaints against me (even though my old boss has left, and I have an arse for one now.)

Hell yeah. The graphic industry seems to prefer people in their mid twenties. People will look down on you when you are younger, i am the guy who usually has to make coffee for the whole frickin company and maintain the printers. Like any job, when you first start, you are a grunt and you have to live with it. Your at a nice age to start applying for work, it only boils down to talent now for you.

Order · 06-30-2005

I started out doing advertising systems, then when they seen my ability with coding, I was brought up the food chain a bit quickly. I am now one of two people who everyone comes to when something goes wrong.. and all I wanted to be was a web designer!

Shockt · 06-30-2005

I started web development about six years ago (I am 18 now) and web programming almost two years ago. I usually dont have much of a problem finding work, mostly because my parents own a real estate company and have many agents working under them as well as many clients who have hinted the need for a website for their business. In my opinion, if you are under 20 and are having trouble getting work because of your age, use the time to practice. When you start recieving clients, you will be the best of the best

I think I have learned more about web design in the past year than I have my whole time designing before then.

I hope M0g doesnt mind me posting this link but here is a nice community for web developers:
http://www.sitepoint.com
Read the articles. There are tons but they are extremely helpful.

**Man1c M0g** · 06-30-2005

Heh! Don't worry shockt... I use sitepoint myself quite a lot. They are a great source of information and inspiration!

ParaSnake · 07-01-2005

yeah,site point is greate,but their mailing system is stupid,they send me too much useless email

ConceptualMind · 07-01-2005

That's why I have an email account I use to sign up for forums and other things that require an email. It helps eliminate the amount of spam I get on my personal email address.

supafly · 07-02-2005

OOOH thanks all

and i'll take a look at that site as well!!