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I'm sure such ageism exists, but you also need to consider the nature of software development. Just over the past decade, we transitioned from one model of depl

by pm90 7y ago

I'm sure such ageism exists, but you also need to consider the nature of software development. Just over the past decade, we transitioned from one model of deploying software to a totally different one, evolved into a somewhat widely accepted orchestration platform etc. The nature of software developments seems to required that one be capable of learning new technology and be comfortable with understanding new frameworks and such. I've encountered engineers older than me who are just as excited by new technology as I am and are willing to learn about it and offer their perspective and wisdom as to how its different from what they were used to before, conversations which I find fascinating. There are also those who I will call less-enthusiastic about the changes; and quickly get overwhelmed by change and either move into management positions or into roles or companies with less change. I don't think there is anything fundamentally better about one kind of engineer v/s the other. The problem is only when you place an engineer who enjoys the change in a role that doesn't involve much of it, or vice versa.

tonyedgecombe 7y ago
To some extent the reality doesn't matter. If the market perceives me as washed up just because I'm 55 then I'd be foolish not to have an alternative lined up. No matter how enthusiastic or flexible you are you will always be trying to push past recruiters perceptions.
eagsalazar2 7y ago
Couldn't agree more and there is an age dimension to those personality types. Generally 24 yr olds have a very "I know nothing, tell me what to do, I'm excited" attitude while people with a mountain of experience have opinions of their own and, human nature, frequently are resentful or stubborn about being told to do things that feel like reinventing the wheel or a step backward by people more jr than them who did decide to go into management. But following fads in an ever-improving upward spiral (I'm not one of these people who thinks the industry is going in circles) of productivity and expressiveness is just part of the industry reality. Maybe 28 year olds really are more suited, on average, to that reality? They key thing is, even if that is sometimes true, to judge people individually since of course there are older devs who are totally amazing, creative, and flexible and there are 28 year olds that are completely stubborn, unhappy pains in the ass.

by pm90 7y ago

tonyedgecombe 7y ago

To some extent the reality doesn't matter. If the market perceives me as washed up just because I'm 55 then I'd be foolish not to have an alternative lined up. No matter how enthusiastic or flexible you are you will always be trying to push past recruiters perceptions.

eagsalazar2 7y ago

Couldn't agree more and there is an age dimension to those personality types. Generally 24 yr olds have a very "I know nothing, tell me what to do, I'm excited" attitude while people with a mountain of experience have opinions of their own and, human nature, frequently are resentful or stubborn about being told to do things that feel like reinventing the wheel or a step backward by people more jr than them who did decide to go into management. But following fads in an ever-improving upward spiral (I'm not one of these people who thinks the industry is going in circles) of productivity and expressiveness is just part of the industry reality. Maybe 28 year olds really are more suited, on average, to that reality? They key thing is, even if that is sometimes true, to judge people individually since of course there are older devs who are totally amazing, creative, and flexible and there are 28 year olds that are completely stubborn, unhappy pains in the ass.