Does a computer programming certification help me get a job?

--- Asked by reader

Reader also adds "I'm in my late 40s with no prior experience. I don't want to spend my time with something that won't get me a job."

--- I answer:

The more things are difficult, the more out of the box you need to think. Will you be hired at that age, with no experience and just a computer programming certification?

To work with a team of programmers on a project who are experienced and can crank code out quickly and know what they are doing?

You see, a team is only as strong as its weakest link. I don't know if I have said this last bit properly but you get the idea.

The answer is a probable 'no'.

So what can you do about it?

Have you thought that perhaps you are approaching this the wrong way? If you think you are going to be wasting your time then you are right. When, at a later age, we decide on a career change, that new career has to fascinate us. We have to be passionate about it because that passion is what will pull us through the initial hard times. And every beginning begins with difficulty. Are you willing to pay your dues or will you throw in the towel with the first sign of difficulty?

Only get into programming if you can't see yourself doing anything else. Only get into programming at this age if you can draw on your previous experience to accelerate your new career. If by doing a computer programming certification your only thought is to get a job, there are other jobs you can get that doesn't require getting certified.