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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?

#61
post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m not sure if it helps “get” jobs but it doesn’t hurt. My current web site is 3drocketsurgery.com. The chrisbennet.com one is all stuff that I did 10 years ago or more. Neither of them are sites you would find via a web search. Not a single person has contacted me through 3drocketsurgery site’s contact form and my name isn’t on it anywhere on it (on purpose). I used to use it with my resume’ and now use it instead…

I was hoping investing in website might reverse the first contact vector, i.e. clients would call me first... Otherwise, so far my CV works just fine, so I guess there is no point in having a website.

I don’t make “first contact” with my clients that way but I think it really helps to have an interesting portfolio that they can look at once contact is made.

It slipped my mind earlier, but I did have a hiring manager from Mathematica tell me he saw something I’d done from my website once - probably got the link to my web sites from LinkedIn. He’d seen a video of a virtual oscilloscope I’d written for laser stuff. I doubt he would have called otherwise since my resume’ isn’t “out there” for everyone to see.

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

#62
post #52

I'm 41 and doing great. I 'work' for an amazing organization (work is in quotes because I do exactly what I'd do if I was retired) and have a number of extremely interesting problems on my plate. A few caveats: 1.) I don't bash new frameworks (even if I know they're a bad idea) until I've built something non trivial with them. 2.) My education and experience are outside the norm for developers where I live. I have a…

Agree; being a good team player, someone folks want to work with, counts for a hell of lot, IMO. Too many devs, young and old, are oblivious to this. Humility, a sense of humour, and being generous with credit are all great traits to help ensure a long and happy career!
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