STEM != programmer. There are plenty of STEM jobs you can't even start until you're ~30. Also, being replaced by a younger person is a function of the utility

STEM != programmer. There are plenty of STEM jobs you can't even start until you're ~30. Also, being replaced by a younger person is a function of the utility you provide vs. your cost. I work with plenty of "older" people, and some of them definitely get replaced. If you're not delivering, it doesn't make sense to keep you around if the budget is limited. "Older" specialists don't necessarily get replaced, as it's silly to imagine a kid can substitute specialized experience, but rather the development strategy pivots to something deliverable with the resources at hand for the given timeframe. Edit: I probably fall into your "older" category...