5 ms·

I wonder if ageism is really that much of a problem. I'm 51 and still working as a software developer but all of my contemporaries have moved on from developmen

I wonder if ageism is really that much of a problem. I'm 51 and still working as a software developer but all of my contemporaries have moved on from development to something else. I've definitely experienced ageism but I suspect that it is rarely institutionalized. Instead I think that people like me are relatively rare. I have no real interest in management or another career--I like being a developer. That means when I show up for a job interview, I don't exactly fit in since it is likely that few of the candidates are my age or older. Sometimes I can overcome this and other times I'm not really given a chance. I mostly work as a contractor so I have frequent job changes and I haven't found it to be that much of a problem. It is just another hurdle that has to be overcome. The group I'm working in now, I'm the oldest developer by at least 10 years.

asciimo 13y ago
Do you think that your contractor status is defending you against ageism, to some degree?
- thoughtsimple 13y ago
  It's possible that being a contractor shields me a bit but that isn't why I mostly contract. I really don't have a lot of tolerance for corporate politics that inevitably crop up. I find that as a contractor I'm usually outside the day to day maneuvering that you find in most organizations. Most contracts are for a limited timeframe for a particular project that many times is in trouble. I find those types of gigs rewarding. I will work for a startup as a full time employee but it would have to be the right position. Right now I'm contemplating doing something myself but I haven't decided exactly what yet.
SomeCallMeTim 13y ago
Contracting is the way to go for the older crowd. How else could I be making $125-$250/hour? No company is going to pay me $250k-$400k in salary, and if they did, they'd expect to own me 24/7. This way I get to work part time, have lots of time with my kids, and when I do work overtime, I get paid for the extra hours. So I know they aren't asking it lightly. At least right now I've had no trouble finding gigs. Work's been finding me, in fact. I have more options available than I can take. And between gigs, I can work on personal projects, one of which may turn into a real business someday. It's all good. :)
- NkVczPkybiXICG 13y ago
  How do you go about finding this contract work?
  - SomeCallMeTim 13y ago
    I would tell you if I knew. I kid you not that the work finds me. I've been in the industry for 20+ years. I've made lots of friends who like working with me. I ping them from time to time because I enjoy their conversation. And sometimes they think of me when they have a problem they need to solve. I also found a local company on Craigslist during one lull about a year ago that does embedded software and is consulting-friendly; they now call me from time to time with contract offers as well. Hit up your network; let people know you're looking. And don't be afraid of Craigslist. :)
- nostrademons 13y ago
  A number of big companies do pay in the $250-400K range for experienced computer programmers with a solid track record, and give them reasonable hours.
  - SomeCallMeTim 13y ago
    I have heard hints of this, but I have a number of other...quirks...that prevent me from seeking this out. I like to be running my own business, for instance; my next product is being funded by my current gigs. Take a job as an employee and they expect you to stick around for a couple of years. I want my next three projects to be released in that time frame.

asciimo 13y ago

Do you think that your contractor status is defending you against ageism, to some degree?

thoughtsimple 13y ago
It's possible that being a contractor shields me a bit but that isn't why I mostly contract. I really don't have a lot of tolerance for corporate politics that inevitably crop up. I find that as a contractor I'm usually outside the day to day maneuvering that you find in most organizations. Most contracts are for a limited timeframe for a particular project that many times is in trouble. I find those types of gigs rewarding. I will work for a startup as a full time employee but it would have to be the right position. Right now I'm contemplating doing something myself but I haven't decided exactly what yet.

SomeCallMeTim 13y ago

Contracting is the way to go for the older crowd. How else could I be making $125-$250/hour? No company is going to pay me $250k-$400k in salary, and if they did, they'd expect to own me 24/7. This way I get to work part time, have lots of time with my kids, and when I do work overtime, I get paid for the extra hours. So I know they aren't asking it lightly. At least right now I've had no trouble finding gigs. Work's been finding me, in fact. I have more options available than I can take. And between gigs, I can work on personal projects, one of which may turn into a real business someday. It's all good. :)

NkVczPkybiXICG 13y ago
How do you go about finding this contract work?
- SomeCallMeTim 13y ago
  I would tell you if I knew. I kid you not that the work finds me. I've been in the industry for 20+ years. I've made lots of friends who like working with me. I ping them from time to time because I enjoy their conversation. And sometimes they think of me when they have a problem they need to solve. I also found a local company on Craigslist during one lull about a year ago that does embedded software and is consulting-friendly; they now call me from time to time with contract offers as well. Hit up your network; let people know you're looking. And don't be afraid of Craigslist. :)
nostrademons 13y ago
A number of big companies do pay in the $250-400K range for experienced computer programmers with a solid track record, and give them reasonable hours.
- SomeCallMeTim 13y ago
  I have heard hints of this, but I have a number of other...quirks...that prevent me from seeking this out. I like to be running my own business, for instance; my next product is being funded by my current gigs. Take a job as an employee and they expect you to stick around for a couple of years. I want my next three projects to be released in that time frame.