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Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

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Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#41

Post by andrei_says_ »

slipwalker wrote: post #39

my personal situation is: 45yo, just back to the corporate world after bankrupting my own consultancy company ( i shot myself on the foot with the tax and labor laws ) as a senior java developer. I fly circles around my 20-something teammates, and also around the tech team from our current client... became the de facto tech leader without even trying. Bad thing is, now i have more responsabilities than i bargained fo…

You get the satisfaction of neatly organized maintainable code and teaching many by example :)

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#42

Post by lordCarbonFiber »

Mc_Big_G wrote: post #33

I'm 46 and this question seems a little ridiculous if you're located in a good market. In the bay area there is such demand for developers that you will find a job. It may not be the most amazing, perfect job for you but the pay won't be "bad". However, I do see a few problems: 1. If you've been out of the algorithm, leetcode, game for a while, passing the bs interviews is going to be a challenge. The truth is that a…

If you're doing anything more involved than CRUD apps knowing the "bs things" is pretty useful; especially if you think you qualify as a "senior developer". Mindlessly copying from google won't tell you the right questions to ask, and won't help you mentor new talent. If you're found yourself at 40+ and don't know the fundamentals that tells me you've done little to no mentoring and probably don't fit in my organization.

Given (1) 3 also becomes a bit of dead end. If you're actually on a principle track (that's ownership, aptitude, etc) senior developer tracks can be nearly unbounded; especially at the usual suspects and increasingly at companies serious about growing their technology department.

I'd caution against striving for "just adding value"; being one of the people that have 2 years of experience 10 times is going to cut you off from most employment opportunities.

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#43

Post by Mc_Big_G »

lordCarbonFiber wrote: post #42
Mc_Big_G wrote: post #33

I'm 46 and this question seems a little ridiculous if you're located in a good market. In the bay area there is such demand for developers that you will find a job. It may not be the most amazing, perfect job for you but the pay won't be "bad". However, I do see a few problems: 1. If you've been out of the algorithm, leetcode, game for a while, passing the bs interviews is going to be a challenge. The truth is that a…

If you're doing anything more involved than CRUD apps knowing the "bs things" is pretty useful; especially if you think you qualify as a "senior developer". Mindlessly copying from google won't tell you the right questions to ask, and won't help you mentor new talent. If you're found yourself at 40+ and don't know the fundamentals that tells me you've done little to no mentoring and probably don't fit in my organizat…

Funny because I've built many, many apps and worked as a professional dev for 15+ years and literally never, not even once, needed to write a reverse bubble sort or whatever from scratch. Modern development is more about making good design choices and knowing how to leverage languages, frameworks and systems to develop a solution that meets the companies objectives and does it quickly and in the most cost-effective way. I've saved and produced millions of dollars of value for many companies and advanced algorithms knowledge was never part of the solution. This leetcode shit is just a hazing ritual perpetuated by the majority of companies because they're unwilling to do something more sensible because it requires time and effort. Wouldn't it be more effective to review my code on github and bitbucket than to give me a puzzle to solve? Right, that takes effort.

https://twitter.com/dhh/status/834146806594433025

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#44

Post by lordCarbonFiber »

Mc_Big_G wrote: post #43
lordCarbonFiber wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're doing anything more involved than CRUD apps knowing the "bs things" is pretty useful; especially if you think you qualify as a "senior developer". Mindlessly copying from google won't tell you the right questions to ask, and won't help you mentor new talent. If you're found yourself at 40+ and don't know the fundamentals that tells me you've done little to no mentoring and probably don't fit in my organizat…

Funny because I've built many, many apps and worked as a professional dev for 15+ years and literally never, not even once, needed to write a reverse bubble sort or whatever from scratch. Modern development is more about making good design choices and knowing how to leverage languages, frameworks and systems to develop a solution that meets the companies objectives and does it quickly and in the most cost-effective w…

Through these first 2 decades of the 21st century I think this industry has thrived on the fact that all of the fruit is laughably low hanging. You could "produce millions of dollars" with an excel macro. That doesn't make the skill a good thing to peg the long term health to your tech company to. Hint playing this " rel="nofollow">https://media.giphy.com/media/kwEmwFUWO5Ety/giphy.gif> game isn't software development any healthy company wants to hire for.

Moore's law has smoothed over many the failing of a mediocre dev; the next generation isn't going have same luxury (just the same as the current generation has to know exponentially more than those that made their fortune during the dot com boom).

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#45

Post by m3talsmith »

40 here and not seeing a flagging salary or problem with work. I just get calls from larger companies than I did when I was younger. Stay away from the startups, Keep your skills up to date, drop the complaining habit if you have it and find ways to be a positive influence around your community, find a decent company that does things you care about, and settle in.

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#46

Post by AIX2ESXI »

jabberslocku wrote: post #36

I'm 36 and run circles around guys in their early and mid 20's. Every 2-3 years I reinvent myself with new tech and new challenges. If you feel you cannot compete at 36 (my age) and are not getting interviews and offers from Amazon, Google, other companies.... then the problem is You and not your nominal age. The fact that you're seeking out validation for self-victimization is alresdy going to shine through in your…

In the middle of a self-reinvent cycle myself. Great points you made there.

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#47

Post by danieltillett »

chrisbennet wrote: post #2

This following is meant this in sincere and non-snarky way: If the problems you are working on can actually be done/solved at a large table with lots of people around, then it probably isn't a problem that requires 10+ years of experience i.e. it probably could be done by someone younger/cheaper. [Of course, if you "hack" around this by coming in early, working from home, etc. you aren't actually "doing it at a table…

Do you put 0x38 on your CV?

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#48

Post by blahville »

Mc_Big_G wrote: post #33

I'm 46 and this question seems a little ridiculous if you're located in a good market. In the bay area there is such demand for developers that you will find a job. It may not be the most amazing, perfect job for you but the pay won't be "bad". However, I do see a few problems: 1. If you've been out of the algorithm, leetcode, game for a while, passing the bs interviews is going to be a challenge. The truth is that a…

Funny to see this downvoted, when it's spot on.

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#49

Post by chrisbennet »

danieltillett wrote: post #47
chrisbennet wrote: post #2

This following is meant this in sincere and non-snarky way: If the problems you are working on can actually be done/solved at a large table with lots of people around, then it probably isn't a problem that requires 10+ years of experience i.e. it probably could be done by someone younger/cheaper. [Of course, if you "hack" around this by coming in early, working from home, etc. you aren't actually "doing it at a table…

Do you put 0x38 on your CV?

I don't use a resume anymore but if I did, I would "sanitize" my age from it I think.

Re: Ask HN: Is software engineering really a dead-end job after 35-40?

#50

Post by hullsean »

Your mileage may vary of course. But i’ve been independent consulting now for 25yrs. Started doing primarily dba/unix work in the 90’s and now of course cloud heavy. Devops is in extremely high demand. i do docker, ecs, terraform, kubernetes, aws, gcp. Python. postgresql, mysql, redshift. athena. it goes on & on.

yes as others have mentioned you have to be willing to learn. to be also excited to learn. that’s key.

i’m also much more mature now. so i can work well with anyone and see perspectives others miss.

opportunities abound !

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