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Really I think the "game" so to speak is to move from being a programmer or development engineer into things like project management or solution modeling. Sure,

by Allocator2008 18y ago

Really I think the "game" so to speak is to move from being a programmer or development engineer into things like project management or solution modeling. Sure, the point is valid that hiring is "biased" towards kids in their early twenties who are really good programmers. But the idea I would think is to progress up the ladder so that when one is in mid-career, one is not doing the day-to-day programming so much as more management type of tasks. Myself, right now I do test automation, and so spend my days mostly writing test suites using the silktest language and the like. But I don't plan to be still doing that years from now. Hopefully I can sort of move up the ladder a bit into being like a test lead or something. So instead of leaving the industry, I recommend people look to see about ways of climbing the proverbial ladder.

gruseom 18y ago
Either this is a troll (which I doubt) or you are seriously talking to the wrong crowd. Writing software is a profound discipline that is infinitely more creative and challenging than the "up-ladder" jobs you aspire to. That these shallower disciplines happen to enjoy higher status and compensation is purely an historical accident that will be washed away as the market gradually becomes efficient. This in fact is already happening, not because the deadweight are changing their minds or learning, but because creative people are increasingly realizing the value they can create on their own, without any of the "project management or solution modeling" that you think the "kids" should grow into.
- nostrademons 18y ago
  Good management is a very, very difficult skill. I've tried managing small teams (4-6 people, usually non-technical or semi-technical volunteers) and I basically sucked at it. It's much, much harder than programming. Of course, any manager who reaches for "project management or solution modeling" has basically failed already.
  - curiousgeorge 18y ago
    Not if you know the people and you know the project. Managing outside your area of expertise is a lot more difficult.

gruseom 18y ago

Either this is a troll (which I doubt) or you are seriously talking to the wrong crowd. Writing software is a profound discipline that is infinitely more creative and challenging than the "up-ladder" jobs you aspire to. That these shallower disciplines happen to enjoy higher status and compensation is purely an historical accident that will be washed away as the market gradually becomes efficient. This in fact is already happening, not because the deadweight are changing their minds or learning, but because creative people are increasingly realizing the value they can create on their own, without any of the "project management or solution modeling" that you think the "kids" should grow into.

nostrademons 18y ago
Good management is a very, very difficult skill. I've tried managing small teams (4-6 people, usually non-technical or semi-technical volunteers) and I basically sucked at it. It's much, much harder than programming. Of course, any manager who reaches for "project management or solution modeling" has basically failed already.
- curiousgeorge 18y ago
  Not if you know the people and you know the project. Managing outside your area of expertise is a lot more difficult.