Change my life

[mugman]

I'm bored.


I'm in my early thirties and want to change my life completely. Long story short, I've spent the last ten years drinking and taking drugs like a loser. I've managed to come out of it the other end relatively unharmed. However, I have achieved nothing with my life, as I've been too busy getting off my face.


I'm determined to make something of my life. Am I too old though? My dream would be to work in programming or network security. I don't really have anyone to chat to about this, and was hoping I could open it up for discussion. Maybe someone has had a similar experience?


I'm just trying to plan my next move, I was thinking about moving to the south coast of England permanently (the weather is a little less shitty there), and was thinking about attending University, in particular this course: http://courses.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-degree/cyber-security-management/bsc-hons/5342/


Am I too old to start in this gig, considering I know nothing more than HTML/CSS at present? Does the course look worth-while to you? Can you actually make a good living, without being the number one genius in the field?


Any help or advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.


Warm Regards
Mugman

[nozzlechunks]

I'd aim a little lower. Go to tech school and do a CCNA type program, then maybe start with help desk or jr engineer. Way too  many "security management" programs letting chuckleheads blunder into leadership roles, then the actual talent says "fuck this, i'm out." Also, I've seen reality catch up to some of them, and once it's found out they don't know shit, and everybody knows, they have to move out of town to get a job again.

[Stryv!n]

Hi Mugman,
i understand what you are going through with the education part. i am in my thirties, without no high diploma or degree.

I dont lose hope or forget where you are coming from, that should be your motion. We are never too old to learn new things, it might take some more time than the younger generation, but you still have something over them (experience goes long way man) fill your head up and never look back.

Please take me posted on your progress. I am preparing for CCNA and MCSA.

Good Luck

[KOR]

I'm in the south of England and nearly in my thirties. I got stuck in sales jobs while I overlooked my real passion for computers. I studied in college for basic networking and pc maintenance. Where did it get me? No where I wanted to go. Then all of a sudden they've had an explosion and need people everywhere.

After 10 years I found what I loved doing again and wondered why I stopped. Now I'm studying ALL THE THINGS. Finished the Security+ course, bought The Basics of Hacking and Penetration Testing, started the MCSA course, downloaded MS Server 2012 R2 and messed with Domain Controllers and Active Directory. I'm about to start messing with Exchange just so I can get a job in a networking area so I can move into security. I'm learning Python and having a blast.

Seriously, mate, go nuts. You're still young and you can learn this stuff.