It’s not easy to be new. Especially if you’re a little bit older. I’ve started to learn coding at the ripe age of 37. It’s hard to swallow your pride and ask for advice and to admit that you don’t know something. A lot of us are worried that we will get judged or looked at like some kind of idiot for asking a question that we think people will roll their eyes at. Being new is hard.

Being new is extremely exciting too. Particularly if you are excited about the thing that is new to you. It’s also the BEST time to ask questions and ask for advice. I’ll tell you why it is extremely helpful to set your pride aside and start putting yourself out there.

When you’re new to something and ask a stupid question, or even overstep your bounds by accident, you can just apologize and say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” And that person really can’t blame you, because (you guessed it). You’re new. In the navy we call this the Airman salute. Someone asks you why you would do something like that and you just shrug.

I’m not saying to purposefully go out there and be annoying, but you can get away with quite a bit more when you’re the new guy with no experience. However, you actually have to listen to the advice that you are getting. It’s super annoying to be asked the same question by the same person over and over. You will also lose your “curious new guy” credibility if you don’t heed any of the advice that you’re given. Admit that you need help and be thankful for the help that you are given. In my current profession there are new people all of the time, mostly very young. Some listen to advice and some don’t. Guess which ones continue to receive it and which ones are just left to their own devices?

Setting aside your ego is something that is not easy for everyone. A lot of us have been professionals and have experience with one thing or another and we’re used to not having to do that. When you make the conscious effort to change your career path you HAVE to set the ego aside. Otherwise you will make all of the mistakes that other people make, you’ll just be 10 years older than they were.

The tech community is amazing. Most people that I have reached out to have not met me and don’t owe me anything, but they will take the time to write long, detailed responses to the questions that I have. Take advantage of this knowledge, be thankful, and LISTEN. If you let go of your ego, ask good question, and apply the advice you will be miles ahead before you even start.