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api 9y ago
As an older programmer I'd recommend getting into a more specialized area that isn't so faddish: systems programming, machine learning, high performance compute, networking, crypto, really advanced devops, computer vision, etc. Take the time to massively level up in some high end niche and you can do really well. It's also a better place to leverage the experience that comes with age. Some 20 year old out of college might not have the experience to code extremely high performance bare metal algorithms that work across architectures. Those areas take skill and a deep understanding of how computers work throughout the entire stack from hardware up to UI/UX.
codingdave 9y ago
I've found that today, that list of skills you have is a equivalent to a few years ago only knowing HTML & CSS, but nothing else. The bar is higher. So yes, you need to pick up new skills. That being said, I'd concentrate on your core coding skills, not just adding "Angular" to your resume. Be able to knock the whiteboard-coding style interview out of the park, show them you really know your stuff, are smart, have some CS chops, etc... and then ask them to let you learn the frameworks on the fly.
deleted 9y ago
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pault 9y ago
Your core skills have been off-shored and automated. I used to have a similar career and the majority of the clients that used to hire me are now serviced by design templates and WYSIWYG editors like squarespace. Every time a new technology platform hits the mainstream it starts the race to the bottom. You have to stay ahead of it; for me the solution was specializing in React and doubling down on product management. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago but I'm back in the low six figures again and not having trouble finding work. I don't have a family though, so I appreciate how that can work against you. Edit: I wouldn't spend too much time on Angular; I think maybe 1 out of the last 20 recruiter pitches I've had was Angular; the rest were React.

api 9y ago

As an older programmer I'd recommend getting into a more specialized area that isn't so faddish: systems programming, machine learning, high performance compute, networking, crypto, really advanced devops, computer vision, etc. Take the time to massively level up in some high end niche and you can do really well. It's also a better place to leverage the experience that comes with age. Some 20 year old out of college might not have the experience to code extremely high performance bare metal algorithms that work across architectures. Those areas take skill and a deep understanding of how computers work throughout the entire stack from hardware up to UI/UX.

codingdave 9y ago

I've found that today, that list of skills you have is a equivalent to a few years ago only knowing HTML & CSS, but nothing else. The bar is higher. So yes, you need to pick up new skills. That being said, I'd concentrate on your core coding skills, not just adding "Angular" to your resume. Be able to knock the whiteboard-coding style interview out of the park, show them you really know your stuff, are smart, have some CS chops, etc... and then ask them to let you learn the frameworks on the fly.

deleted 9y ago

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pault 9y ago

Your core skills have been off-shored and automated. I used to have a similar career and the majority of the clients that used to hire me are now serviced by design templates and WYSIWYG editors like squarespace. Every time a new technology platform hits the mainstream it starts the race to the bottom. You have to stay ahead of it; for me the solution was specializing in React and doubling down on product management. I was in a similar position to you a few years ago but I'm back in the low six figures again and not having trouble finding work. I don't have a family though, so I appreciate how that can work against you. Edit: I wouldn't spend too much time on Angular; I think maybe 1 out of the last 20 recruiter pitches I've had was Angular; the rest were React.