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I've been IT since I abandoned the restaurant biz in the 90s. So I have roughly 25 years of experience, and look forward to my retirement in 8 years. I've worke

by greedo 5y ago

I've been IT since I abandoned the restaurant biz in the 90s. So I have roughly 25 years of experience, and look forward to my retirement in 8 years. I've worked at three startups, and two large enterprises. There are a lot of IT jobs in non-FAANG companies that place more value on experience and domain knowledge, but they're not as glamorous or high-paying. Midwest companies, or places like banks/insurance companies. Stable companies that tend to change at a slower pace. This can be good or bad depending on your personality and professional drives. I've always had a bit of paranoia about job security, but looking back, that's usually been a result of imposter syndrome. The one thing that has helped my career tremendously is being generally agreeable. No one likes to work with the asshole rockstar, but someone who is easy going, shares credit and helps keep everyone as positive as realistically possible is valuable. Just make sure your boss sees this in you.

durandal1 5y ago
On the contrary, the companies in FAANG are exactly the kind of employers that highly value experience (and pay for it). If you have a wealth of experience in a field, the easiest way to get paid for it is probably FAANG. You still have to be at the top of your game though, regardless of age.
- skeeter2020 5y ago
  This is either wildly out of touch or just wrong. Everything from their recruitment & interview process to the work practices to the perks is geared towards younger people. My current employer is a great example: I was trying to get short-term disability for a 20-something who suffered a back injury and found out the company had voted against adding ST disability (who needs that?) but no worries we have ping pong and beer on tap, plus a weekly hair dresser who visits the office.
  - ChrisMarshallNY 5y ago
    Now, that is a sad story. I hope that they were able to get help, because early back injuries have a habit of coming back to haunt you, later in life. I have a bad back from a tweak I did, when I was 18. Nowadays, it is an entire new universe of pain. Back then, it was just a little twinge.
    - mooreds 5y ago
      Me too! I hurt my back in my 20s and it plagued me for years. Don't ignore back pain, get that taken care of.

by greedo 5y ago

durandal1 5y ago

On the contrary, the companies in FAANG are exactly the kind of employers that highly value experience (and pay for it). If you have a wealth of experience in a field, the easiest way to get paid for it is probably FAANG. You still have to be at the top of your game though, regardless of age.

skeeter2020 5y ago
This is either wildly out of touch or just wrong. Everything from their recruitment & interview process to the work practices to the perks is geared towards younger people. My current employer is a great example: I was trying to get short-term disability for a 20-something who suffered a back injury and found out the company had voted against adding ST disability (who needs that?) but no worries we have ping pong and beer on tap, plus a weekly hair dresser who visits the office.
- ChrisMarshallNY 5y ago
  Now, that is a sad story. I hope that they were able to get help, because early back injuries have a habit of coming back to haunt you, later in life. I have a bad back from a tweak I did, when I was 18. Nowadays, it is an entire new universe of pain. Back then, it was just a little twinge.
  - mooreds 5y ago
    Me too! I hurt my back in my 20s and it plagued me for years. Don't ignore back pain, get that taken care of.