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"At the end of the day, as a person in technology, your major resources are your technical skills." The article from Pro Publica argues otherwise-- with data t

"At the end of the day, as a person in technology, your major resources are your technical skills." The article from Pro Publica argues otherwise-- with data to back it up. The point is: "culture fit" and "optics" are the new "technical skills". What about all those mentioned in the article who were getting great performance reviews, had the skillz and the lay-off just came out of nowhere due to their age? and them some are re-hired back as contractors at a $20,000 pay cut. No, skills are not your major resources. Your major resource is the leverage you have, and it ain't your skills. But it could be your fellow workers. Unions will have to go global to provide any serious leverage, however. If all the teachers struck with the West Virginia teachers, we'd have well-paid teachers. It might start to become an actual profession again. Kids might start getting an education again. It would be great to see that kind of solidarity happen in tech. Maybe the sysadmins need to lead this charge. Now they have some actual leverage.

scarface74 9y ago
If they had "great performance reviews" and spent years working on IBM specific technologies, their skills may not be in high demand. On the other hand, if they had skills relevant to the larger market, they wouldn't be dependent on their job for their livelihood but their skillset. There are plenty of companies looking for developers. I know in my neck of the woods, there are plenty of job openings for the right skill set. It took me less than 10 days to find a job the last time I looked and I didn't hide that I graduated college in the mid 90s.
- brooklyn_ashey 9y ago
  I don't understand. The Pro Publica study of around 1000 ex IBM employees versus your personal experience? Ok. Are you saying that there isn't an ageism problem? Ok. The fact is, technology companies have serious diversity problems. How much data will need to be presented for people to accept this and make an effort to work on it? Are you in a marginalized group besides the fact that you are an older worker? Can you imagine how truly difficult it would be if you were? I mean I'm happy that you aren't experiencing this problem yourself, but that doesn't mean that we just wave away what is actually happening. Just because lots of folks experience severe age discrimination doesn't take away from your or their accomplishments- it doesn't mean that you don't deserve the work and that if they were just generally "better" or more "skilled" that they would have lots of job offers.
  - scarface74 9y ago
    I'm Black, in my mid 40s and have a disability. How much more of a "marginalized group" could I possibly be in? But I also agressive about learning.

scarface74 9y ago

If they had "great performance reviews" and spent years working on IBM specific technologies, their skills may not be in high demand. On the other hand, if they had skills relevant to the larger market, they wouldn't be dependent on their job for their livelihood but their skillset. There are plenty of companies looking for developers. I know in my neck of the woods, there are plenty of job openings for the right skill set. It took me less than 10 days to find a job the last time I looked and I didn't hide that I graduated college in the mid 90s.

brooklyn_ashey 9y ago
I don't understand. The Pro Publica study of around 1000 ex IBM employees versus your personal experience? Ok. Are you saying that there isn't an ageism problem? Ok. The fact is, technology companies have serious diversity problems. How much data will need to be presented for people to accept this and make an effort to work on it? Are you in a marginalized group besides the fact that you are an older worker? Can you imagine how truly difficult it would be if you were? I mean I'm happy that you aren't experiencing this problem yourself, but that doesn't mean that we just wave away what is actually happening. Just because lots of folks experience severe age discrimination doesn't take away from your or their accomplishments- it doesn't mean that you don't deserve the work and that if they were just generally "better" or more "skilled" that they would have lots of job offers.
- scarface74 9y ago
  I'm Black, in my mid 40s and have a disability. How much more of a "marginalized group" could I possibly be in? But I also agressive about learning.