Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#31

Post by ldjkfkdsjnv » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:02 PM UTC

Yeah ageism is a huge issue, even in early 30s, working as a regular programmer is met with suspicion and looked down upon.

Not only that, young engineers will be build whatever without questioning the value, business people prefer this. They dont want an engineer raising product questions

also, it is true that technology moves quickly, startups dont need experts in tech thats no longer bleeding edge. large old school companies still do, so the number of companies that are viable employers decreases

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#32

Post by ferguess_k » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:02 PM UTC

I think we as humans will always have ageism or other biases.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#33

Post by bsenftner » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:04 PM UTC

Ageism is looking a one tree in a forest of extremely similar problems. We have a othering at scale issue in the species. It's fundamental. It needs to be recognized as an issue of, a problem with self determinism itself, the othering of those we are not intimate is a serious species-wise issue. There is another science here, waiting for formalization.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#34

Post by deadbabe » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:04 PM UTC

There is all kinds of ‘isms in tech. Pretty much the only people who don’t have to worry are young straight white males.

I suspect before ageism disappears it will first swing the other way where older tech workers snub young people entering the industry writing them off as vibecoders who don’t know anything and are easily replaced with an AI.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#35

Post by jimt1234 » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:06 PM UTC

I used to work with a guy that was known for dressing nice, very formal. Back in the 2000s, he would wear button-down shirts, slacks, nice shoes; he stood out for a software nerd. Anyway, when I saw him recently, he was dressed in jeans and flip-flops, wearing a t-shirt. I asked him what's with the casual attire. He just said, "Trying to keep my job." Being an older dude in this field as well, I know what he's talking about.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#36

Post by sfpotter » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:06 PM UTC

ldjkfkdsjnv wrote: post #31

Yeah ageism is a huge issue, even in early 30s, working as a regular programmer is met with suspicion and looked down upon. Not only that, young engineers will be build whatever without questioning the value, business people prefer this. They dont want an engineer raising product questions also, it is true that technology moves quickly, startups dont need experts in tech thats no longer bleeding edge. large old schoo…

It really depends onthe circles you run in. This isn't true everywhere.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#37

Post by HeyLaughingBoy » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:06 PM UTC

tuyguntn wrote: post #3

Yes, when 50 years old applies as a senior engineer, 25 years old senior engineers get uncomfortable. You might not notice it in any public conversation, but there is still a resistance: * will they be on-call? * can they work long hours? * how do I delegate to them? * are they going to resist new tech?

How much experience does it take to be "senior" in that case? Has the 25 y-o engineer been working for 10 years or are they just diluting the "senior" term?

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#38

Post by mixmastamyk » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:07 PM UTC

ferguess_k wrote: post #32

I think we as humans will always have ageism or other biases.

Good point, like asking if racism or sexism still exists. Gets more publicity every year but fundamentally we are still a tribal species.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#39

Post by carlosjobim » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:07 PM UTC

adamredwoods wrote: post #13

tuyguntn wrote: post #3

Yes, when 50 years old applies as a senior engineer, 25 years old senior engineers get uncomfortable. You might not notice it in any public conversation, but there is still a resistance: * will they be on-call? * can they work long hours? * how do I delegate to them? * are they going to resist new tech?

Recently, I've had a co-worker be "okay" with alerts in the middle of the night. I refused because I have to drive my child to school at 7.30am.

If your kids school is more important than your job is, that only means your job is extremely unimportant. Like my job.

Your kid is better off not going to school for a day, or arriving late. They're not doing anything important in school.

Depending on company, maybe they need to hire people to do important things and have responsibility for important things. Somebody who would prioritize things like driving their kids to school over that is a no-hire. They should work a job which is less important, like I myself do.

Re: Ask HN: Is ageism in tech still a problem?

#40

Post by dzonga » Fri, Jun 13, 2025, 4:08 PM UTC

I would rather work with "old" engineers rather than 25/30 year old "senior" engineers.

Places with older engineers means:

1. things are done properly

2. less to break

3. no need to be on call

4. excellent WLB (no grind n burnout culture)

5. excellent mentoring and learning opportunities

6. sniper / laser focus on business fundamentals / making money rather than making noise on the internet streets