There is a real economic situation going on right now as to jobs. I know a company that hired 50 folks during the previous 3 months and a large percentage of them came from businesses that downsized. Excellent programmers, all and yet they were all let go due to downsizing (and all from different companies). Each one is panicking right now simply because they have been let go and know the terror that goes with it. There are also jobs out there. Sometimes it is more about attitude and drive and ambition than age or skills. Many have the same skills but what makes one more desireable than another? As you yourself pointed out, it could simply be that drive to learn and know more and succeed and the energy. A positive attitude and energy - a good team player. Get that all back like you were when you were excited and demonstrate that when you interview...



>Kevin, you are exactly right. I used to read my dBase III and IV, and later FoxPro books while I was driving, while I was in the restroom, at any time, even when going to the movies with my wife (which ticked her off). No, I used to consume those books, not only read them. I was enthuisiastic as all git out with FoxPro when I discovered it; I couldn't believe there was such a cool product and it has only gotten better each year, and now this,...
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>Part of my problem is that I am not sure what to start studying first. I think about studying ColdFusion, SQL Server, C#, and VB.NET. But, I then looked at where the jobs are in regard to development tools; they are with Microsoft's products, exclusing JAVA.
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>Also, I need to study with no interruptions. I told my wife that I cannot study in our home, that I will have to go to the local library to escape the chaos of our home (it is not always chaotic).
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>Bottom line is, I am now indecisive on what to focus on, panicking for lack of work, and wonmering if this economy will hold up. However, I know I can do what needs to be done if I focus on only one development tool, not three or four. Until I did my analysis on how the market is in regard to job opportunities, I really didn't see clearly where things were going; it is obvious that SQL Server is going places.
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>Question:
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>What do you teach in regard to SQL Server? How to use it with front-ends, or administration? Do you also use .NET for development?
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>Cecil
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>>Cecil, I'm a full time instructor these days...I've been teaching different SQL Server classes for 2 years....I have students in their 30's, 40's and 50's....they wind up getting jobs afterwards....so age is not really relevant (ok, if you were 90,it might be different)....I've never met you, but from your picture, I'm gonna take a guess you have some fire in your belly.
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>>So here's my answer to your question...."who is going to hire a 56 year old man who just started learning C#?"....simple.....those who spot someone who has spent time busting his ass successfully getting from point A to point B...(and also someone who can apply the way they've solved problems in the past, to new situations).
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>>You learned Fox...I'll spare you the lecture about waiting this long before looking at other technologies, becuase you've likely learned that lesson that you ALWAYS should be in learning mode. Robert Heinlein said it best...the more you are learning, the more you CAN learn later. You're at a big advantage over someone trying to learn C# seven years ago....there is a TON of information out there, for very little or no cost.
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>>So stop playing the age card, sonny :)
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>>When I started training, I was all technical expertise but zero finesse as an instructor...I was the "My Cousin Vinny" of instructors......and the place wondered in the beginning if they'd made a mistake...but it was important to me, and so I worked as hard as I could to turn it around. I'm now the top trainer in our company - because I busted my butt and I made it my #1 focus.
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>>Phillippe K. (of Borland fame) once observed that Americans were afraid to work 12-14 hour days if they wanted something badly enough. So there's some motivation for you (providing some lard-ass Frenchman wrong).