So, as a counterargument, I was recently promoted to senior software engineer at my current job. I've been with the company for two years and out of college for

So, as a counterargument, I was recently promoted to senior software engineer at my current job. I've been with the company for two years and out of college for the same amount of time (I'm 24). Where I work, it's treated as an ability to deliver impact at a team level. Whether that be through technical contribution or leadership. For me, I found a niche in being a serial anchor for the team which led me to take on extra responsibility faster. That, in turn, led to me delivering a team-wide impact in a substantially reduced amount of time compared to some of my coworkers. In some places, yes, the senior role is somewhat useful and based on time-in-job. In others, it's based on your impact to those around you and the larger the impact, the more "senior" you are.