Switching to IT after 30 is not about age.

It’s about:

• Skill relevance
• Learning speed
• Financial planning
• Smart positioning

If you approach it casually, you’ll fail.
If you approach it strategically, you can succeed.

Let’s break it down.

Step 1️⃣ Accept the Hard Truth

You will:

• Start from junior level
• Take a salary cut initially
• Study like a beginner
• Compete with younger candidates

If your ego can’t handle that, don’t switch.

If your goal is long-term growth, continue reading.

Step 2️⃣ Choose the Right IT Domain (Critical Decision)

Not all IT roles are beginner-friendly at 30.

Avoid:

❌ Competitive programming-heavy roles
❌ Extremely deep research AI roles
❌ Hardcore system-level programming

Better domains:

✔ Full Stack Development
✔ Backend Development
✔ Data Analysis
✔ Cloud / DevOps (if prior tech exposure)
✔ QA Automation
✔ UI/UX (if creative)

Pick one. Do not jump between five.

Step 3️⃣ Plan Financial Buffer (Very Important)

Realistically:

• Learning phase: 6–9 months
• Job search phase: 2–4 months
• First salary: ₹4–8 LPA (depending on skill)

If you’re earning ₹10–15 LPA in non-IT role, expect a temporary drop.

You need at least:

👉 6–12 months financial cushion

Without that, stress will ruin focus.

Step 4️⃣ Follow a Structured Learning Roadmap

Example (Backend Java Path):

Months 1–2:

• Core Java
• OOP
• Basic SQL

Months 3–4:

• Spring Boot
• REST APIs
• Database integration

Months 5–6:

• Build 3 projects
• Add authentication
• Deploy on cloud

Months 7–8:

• DSA basics
• Interview practice

Consistency matters more than speed.

Step 5️⃣ Build Adult-Level Projects (Not College Projects)

You cannot build:

• Simple calculator
• Basic to-do list

You must build:

✔ Role-based applications
✔ Real business logic
✔ Reporting systems
✔ Deployment

Example:

If coming from sales background → build CRM system.
If coming from finance → build expense tracking app.

Leverage past experience.

Step 6️⃣ Position Yourself Smartly in Resume

Don’t write:

“Career change to IT.”

Instead write:

“Backend Developer with 8 years domain experience in finance, now building scalable APIs using Spring Boot.”

Combine past + present.

That’s your advantage.

Step 7️⃣ Prepare for Interview Bias

Yes, age bias exists sometimes.

Some recruiters assume:

• “Will he adapt?”
• “Will he stay long?”
• “Is he overqualified?”

Counter this by:

✔ Showing long-term commitment
✔ Showing structured learning
✔ Showing real projects
✔ Being confident, not defensive

Confidence beats insecurity.

Step 8️⃣ Salary Reality After 30 Switch

Skill Level	Salary Range
Basic switch	₹4–6 LPA
Strong projects	₹6–9 LPA
Strong domain + tech combo	₹8–12 LPA
2–3 years after switch	₹12–20 LPA

After 2–3 years in IT, age becomes irrelevant.

Skill matters.

Two Real Scenarios

Person A (Fails)

• Learns randomly
• Watches tutorials
• No projects
• Applies blindly
  Result: Frustration + no offer

Person B (Succeeds)

• Focuses on one stack
• Builds 4 real projects
• Practices interviews
• Leverages domain experience
  Result: ₹8 LPA job at 31

Same age. Different strategy.

Biggest Mistakes Career Switchers Make

❌ Trying to learn too many things
❌ Expecting instant high salary
❌ Comparing with 22-year-old coders
❌ Not preparing DSA basics
❌ Ignoring networking

Switching is a marathon, not sprint.