here’s the snapshot of the question – “Having worked in software development for 12 years, I’ve recently started to worry about ageism in the industry. Seeing I’m not too bad at what I do I’ve never really worried about where my next job’s going to come from, but the more I look around me the younger software developers seem to get.
Although I feel I’m now at the top of my programming game, I have some management experience and I’m now wondering if I should make a fully-fledged leap from development to ensure future career security.
I know ageism has traditionally be linked with the IT industry, but given modern employment law makes discrimination illegal, is ageism still a real problem for software developers? Or are my aging neurons deluding me?”
sharing here my reply to his post:
“i’m glad to have seen this (post).. i share your sentiment as i am also in the IT industry for a dozen years now, and i’ve started asking myself the same things…
in the past 5 years i’ve been doing both administrative and technical tasks. i just couldn’t leave programming and all that crazy stuff behind. although management is as challenging as coding, but my heart and passion still longs for doing the dirty work..
my stand is if we can do both, we’ve got an edge. not everyone can excel @ managing people and doing technical tasks @ the same time (my previous senior manager told me about this once, he made me realize my other gifts and rethink my career goals). with age comes wisdom and i guess that’s our edge over the newbies. if the passion for newer things are there, don’t lose it. if higher opportunities comes our way, lets consider them!
even steve jobs and bill gates has to pass the baton…”
generally speaking I.T. is pretty much a young field compared to the others more so here in the Philippines. some have probably asked themselves the same question posted, so let me know what you think!
yeah..you should consider us.Me.If i can pass through this college ordeal.I'm a CS student,though planning to shift IT.(I think they'll be no change anyway).I'm on my second sem of my first year college and..found the subject (programming)..really hard!!! though I almost passed.almost..but still-got singko! got sunggo(nosebleed)..but still i learned.
heya mark, when i was on my sophomore year in college i almost gave up because of the pressures involved with my studies – hey i'm CS as well. just don't give up. IT is still the most formidable and high-earning jobs in the market, if you worked well enough for sure 10yrs from now, you'll just laugh off your college singkos! good luck!
hehe..gee tnx.i needed that!! What are the downfalls you've got by that time??College downfalls is our topic for our webpage..hehe.i'm actually making it now.
i followed your blogs..pala.!!
thanks mark, downfalls? hmmm it depends on what youre referring to with that question… i'll check your site to post my items there as well ciao!
Hmm.. never thought that ageism in IT is a problem in other countries. I work in a UK based IT firm and there are lots of people in the age bracket of 40 and above that are still or has remained in the level of programmer/developer. Some of them stayed in that level by choice and their pay is not tied to their current job level. Most of them have been with the company for decades and they haven't been fired or replaced because their age does not match their job level. But ofcourse they don't get fired because they become experts at their chosen level, they do not become stagnant. Comparing it in the Philippines, I believe that this (ageism) is definitely a problem among pinoy professionals not just in IT. Why? because we unknowingly subscribe to the a notion that if a person in his/her late age is still in the lower ranks of the company hierarchy, that person is inferior and should be replaced. Again unknowingly this is probably the reason why some managers are badgering senior persons to take on lead roles or managerial roles. You can see this disguised in yearly appraisals categorized by the manager as part of the resource's “development needs”. We usually associate progress with a vertical movement. But a horizontal movement is still a form of progress isn't it? Why can't I make a choice of becoming an expert in my current job level? We'll probably because the company is thinking that they are paying you a hefty amount and that they would like to capitalize more on what they are paying you. It makes perfect business sense. Just thinking aloud! Thanks! 🙂
IMHO vertical promotion should not be a reward for good technical competency, or vertical promotion should not be based on technical capabilities. Management is leagues apart from the ranks. I also firmly believe that management roles should fully let go of their technical side and focus firmly of people management, maximization, development and delegation.
hmm… everybody with different jobs are experiencing this phenomenon.It depends on the person if he wants to continue and improve himself in his field.
yeah..you should consider us.Me.If i can pass through this college ordeal.I’m a CS student,though planning to shift IT.(I think they’ll be no change anyway).I’m on my second sem of my first year college and..found the subject (programming)..really hard!!! though I almost passed.almost..but still-got singko! got sunggo(nosebleed)..but still i learned.
heya mark, when i was on my sophomore year in college i almost gave up because of the pressures involved with my studies – hey i’m CS as well. just don’t give up. IT is still the most formidable and high-earning jobs in the market, if you worked well enough for sure 10yrs from now, you’ll just laugh off your college singkos! good luck!
hehe..gee tnx.i needed that!! What are the downfalls you’ve got by that time??College downfalls is our topic for our webpage..hehe.i’m actually making it now.
i followed your blogs..pala.!!
thanks mark, downfalls? hmmm it depends on what youre referring to with that question… i’ll check your site to post my items there as well ciao!
Hmm.. never thought that ageism in IT is a problem in other countries. I work in a UK based IT firm and there are lots of people in the age bracket of 40 and above that are still or has remained in the level of programmer/developer. Some of them stayed in that level by choice and their pay is not tied to their current job level. Most of them have been with the company for decades and they haven’t been fired or replaced because their age does not match their job level. But ofcourse they don’t get fired because they become experts at their chosen level, they do not become stagnant. Comparing it in the Philippines, I believe that this (ageism) is definitely a problem among pinoy professionals not just in IT. Why? because we unknowingly subscribe to the a notion that if a person in his/her late age is still in the lower ranks of the company hierarchy, that person is inferior and should be replaced. Again unknowingly this is probably the reason why some managers are badgering senior persons to take on lead roles or managerial roles. You can see this disguised in yearly appraisals categorized by the manager as part of the resource’s “development needs”. We usually associate progress with a vertical movement. But a horizontal movement is still a form of progress isn’t it? Why can’t I make a choice of becoming an expert in my current job level? We’ll probably because the company is thinking that they are paying you a hefty amount and that they would like to capitalize more on what they are paying you. It makes perfect business sense. Just thinking aloud! Thanks! 🙂
IMHO vertical promotion should not be a reward for good technical competency, or vertical promotion should not be based on technical capabilities. Management is leagues apart from the ranks. I also firmly believe that management roles should fully let go of their technical side and focus firmly of people management, maximization, development and delegation.
hmm… everybody with different jobs are experiencing this phenomenon.It depends on the person if he wants to continue and improve himself in his field.