MIT alumni in their 50s

Wow. Just shows why cogs and wheels are referred to so often in software profession.

This post reeks of confirmation bias or at least the sample size is too low to draw any conclusions. What if that software engineer didn't want to progress his career and was happy at the level he was? What about those engineers that did go into management? I could be wrong but if you choose to stay in a roll a 30yo can fill why would it be strange that you would be expected to compete with those younger to get a job?

The other conclusion is, always be hireable. I guess it’s hard to be 50 and pride yourself to work for senior-senior level salary when a 30 year old can easily do your job.

Hierarchies worked very well in the uni prof’s favour, but engineering companies tend to apply flatter structures. If there’s nothing that keeps the young folks competing, they will. So for us, engineers it may be a good idea to move to supervisory roles, a field with harder-to-aquire skills, or start teaching later on.

(+1 for small sample size and confirmation bias though. /re: @pixelscript)

I've been doing this for ~15 years too, but things have changed enough over the time (and I've changed too!) so it still feels fresh.

I guess the way technology changes can be a two edge sword, as in you're always catching up, but so far I can't say I'm bored or thinking on doing anything else to pay my bills.

I can't imagine a programmer making enough $$ to be able to show up at an event where the main goal is donation.

Granted some did show up.

Let's list the careers that were still considered safe age 50. Doctor. Lawyer. Professor. All important, no doubt. But which one of those truly helped advance our society or nation? As in improving GDP or trade balance?

Most likely not.

But the other engineers (some with uncertain future) are the ones who designed/built/produced something for the society.