Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#1

Post by mesubli » Tue, May 29, 2018, 1:42 PM UTC

I'm beyond the median age in the tech industry. I still love it but I'm facing facts. What industry (or industries) actually values the wisdom and experience of older workers more than the malleability of younger ones?

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#2

Post by maxxxxx » Tue, May 29, 2018, 1:50 PM UTC

I am not sure if they really value the wisdom of older workers but medical companies seem to have older workers in average.

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#3

Post by punkbit » Tue, May 29, 2018, 1:57 PM UTC

Just find a place that makes you happy, if your colleagues or wherever you are applying for not happy about you there, don't force yourself.

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#4

Post by cmrdporcupine » Tue, May 29, 2018, 2:02 PM UTC

Come to Google. At least here in our Waterloo, Ontario office we have plenty of very smart and capable engineers continuing to write code and be respected for it well into our graying years.

I myself am surprised how fast I went from 'youngest guy on the team' to 'oldest coder on the team'. But it hasn't been a liability here.

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#5

Post by maxxxxx » Tue, May 29, 2018, 2:23 PM UTC

punkbit wrote: post #3

Just find a place that makes you happy, if your colleagues or wherever you are applying for not happy about you there, don't force yourself.

I think you mean well but this is not very helpful.

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#6

Post by autotune » Tue, May 29, 2018, 2:33 PM UTC

cmrdporcupine wrote: post #4

Come to Google. At least here in our Waterloo, Ontario office we have plenty of very smart and capable engineers continuing to write code and be respected for it well into our graying years. I myself am surprised how fast I went from 'youngest guy on the team' to 'oldest coder on the team'. But it hasn't been a liability here.

That's not a realistic option for most people in tech, older or not.

Re: Ask HN: Is there an industry where older age is a positive?

#7

Post by ninedays » Tue, May 29, 2018, 3:18 PM UTC

Will you be willing to share which country you live? In some countries, there are policies to hire older worker or people of diversity but it will depend on the country you live.