Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#1

Post by vaksel » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 2:24 PM UTC

Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers
heather.cs.ucdavis.edu

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#2

Post by tokenadult » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 2:43 PM UTC

Every time I read this article, which I have done three or four times since it was published, I think it has much more to do with UC Davis than with computer science majors in general.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#3

Post by miked » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 3:53 PM UTC

I'm 53 and currently trying to run a small (non-software but high-tech) startup. I may be going back to Oracle programming soon. Does anyone know how much resistance there is to hiring middle-aged guys out there? It's been about 10 years since I've looked.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#4

Post by rms » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:10 PM UTC

miked wrote: post #3

I'm 53 and currently trying to run a small (non-software but high-tech) startup. I may be going back to Oracle programming soon. Does anyone know how much resistance there is to hiring middle-aged guys out there? It's been about 10 years since I've looked.

Ageism is still absolutely rampant in the industry.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#5

Post by miked » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:17 PM UTC

rms wrote: post #4

miked wrote: post #3

I'm 53 and currently trying to run a small (non-software but high-tech) startup. I may be going back to Oracle programming soon. Does anyone know how much resistance there is to hiring middle-aged guys out there? It's been about 10 years since I've looked.

Ageism is still absolutely rampant in the industry.

Thanks for the feedback, disappointing though it is. What really makes it a shame is that I know how much better I am than when I was younger. More mature and with a much better business sense. Damn.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#6

Post by biohacker42 » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:22 PM UTC

I don't see anything in that article that doesn't equally apply to all white and even most blue collar workers. And the whole thing has a Ooo poor me, the world is so dire! feel.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#7

Post by gonick_daysbury » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:37 PM UTC

rms wrote: post #4

miked wrote: post #3

I'm 53 and currently trying to run a small (non-software but high-tech) startup. I may be going back to Oracle programming soon. Does anyone know how much resistance there is to hiring middle-aged guys out there? It's been about 10 years since I've looked.

Ageism is still absolutely rampant in the industry.

Depends on the area of the industry you're working in. I believe corporate IT departments are ironically more forgiving than the supposedly liberal startup scene, which tends to be younger and more suspicious of older workers, reflecting a trend in the society at large which equates youth with being "in one's prime".

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#8

Post by KWD » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:43 PM UTC

biohacker42 wrote: post #6

I don't see anything in that article that doesn't equally apply to all white and even most blue collar workers. And the whole thing has a Ooo poor me, the world is so dire! feel.

I'd disagree, as other professions - say for example, accounting, finance, customer service, HR, would not have a similar limitation so specifically limited.

And it is a dire feel when you actually experience it. As a 45 year old developer currently seeking employment, it's tough. Your ability and potential does not matter anymore (even when willing to take a step-back to an entry-level position), it's just a specific skill set. The so-called lack of programming talent in America is not taking into account the lack of companies willing to actually hire experienced and competent, but just lacking a specific language, programmers that are available.

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#9

Post by chollida1 » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:45 PM UTC

KWD wrote: post #8

biohacker42 wrote: post #6

I don't see anything in that article that doesn't equally apply to all white and even most blue collar workers. And the whole thing has a Ooo poor me, the world is so dire! feel.

I'd disagree, as other professions - say for example, accounting, finance, customer service, HR, would not have a similar limitation so specifically limited. And it is a dire feel when you actually experience it. As a 45 year old developer currently seeking employment, it's tough. Your ability and potential does not matter anymore (even when willing to take a step-back to an entry-level position), it's just a specifi…

I read the article but I'm not sure what you mean by this statement. > I'd disagree, as other professions - say for example, accounting, finance, customer service, HR, would not have a similar limitation so specifically limited.

Could you please elaborate?

Re: Unemployment Rates Are Meaningless for Programmers

#10

Post by acgourley » Fri, Apr 10, 2009, 4:47 PM UTC

miked wrote: post #5

rms wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ageism is still absolutely rampant in the industry.

Thanks for the feedback, disappointing though it is. What really makes it a shame is that I know how much better I am than when I was younger. More mature and with a much better business sense. Damn.

That's not to say that you can't find a job - just that there are certain people who will have a bias against you. Perhaps you're not interested in working there anyway.