I realize this is a broad question, but my life has changed drastically in the last few months, and I'm looking to experience more before I get too old. I know the usual answers like getting married, having kids, and so on.
I'm more interested in skills, hobbies, fields of education, practices, habits, and experiences that have shaped (for the better) the person you are today.
That's awesome that you were able to turn a childhood interest into a career! I'm not sure being a systems admin would be a fit for me, but I've always been interested in learning to code beyond a bit of html and JS.
Given your experience in the tech industry: If you had to pick just one programming language to learn as a starting point, which would it be?
Given your experience in the tech industry: If you had to pick just one programming language to learn as a starting point, which would it be?
Python. Start with python. It's a big language right now and I don't see that changing. It's a good introduction into programming with easily transferrable syntax, unlike something like Visual Basic. It's backed by a lot of big name companies, not the least of which is Google. It's so ubiquitous that you can find endless resources with which you can learn it.
Alternatively, C is a very important language. C will never die. It's a harder and less forgiving language to learn, but it can't be beat performance-wise. C++ would be next in line.
C# is a useful language in the Windows world since it relies on the .NET Framework to function. That said, .NET Core has been moved to Linux now. Even still, many languages use a lot of the same syntax characteristics, like Java and Vala. These languages just aren't universal, though.
Awesome, thanks for the input! I think I'll look into python.
I'd say my career path has been fairly rewarding in some way. I am a network/systems administrator by trade and went to school for 2 years for it earning an Associates' Degree. My position is currently "IT Director" which sounds loftier than it is because I have nobody working under me. I do, however, get to call all the shots.
The nice part of having gone through all of this is the knowledge and experience. There are a lot of things I can do out of habit because I have the experience, such that I feel it's worth less than it really is. It would be simple for me to troubleshoot a desktop computer and determine its ills in short order, where your average person would be lost. I could plan and setup an Active Directory network, complete with all necessary services and member servers with relative ease. It seems dead simple to me, but it's not just something anybody off the street can do.
I suppose most fields of work feel like this.
This whole pursuit started when I was really young, so it's been a lifelong thing.