Age Should Be More Than a Number in Software Development
Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash
Age. It’s a number that increments each year without fail, yet in software development we seem to prize youth.
I mean we set up free dinners that can’t really be used by those with families. Some adverts specifically ask for passion and energy, as likely euphemisms for youth.
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
I’ve been asked “How old are you” (emphasis theirs) by an old manager. I feel I need to make myself look younger (hello, Zoom filters) and act younger in interviews. I hide my level of experience in order to boost my chances of landing my next gig.
Whether I’m correct in my reasoning for doing so (let me know if I’m wrong in the comments, but bring facts!), the fact is I’m actively thinking about age and ageism in my daily work.
The consequence? A psychological toll that’s as detrimental as any poorly written code base. And I bet it’s affecting many older developers.
The Silent Struggle Against Ageism
It’s not ageism if we just strike out your years of experience in outdated technology.
It’s not ageism because the rest of the team has nothing in common with you.
It’s not ageism if we just want to go with someone with more energy, who is innovative or adaptable.
It’s not ageism if say we have a young team during an interview (this just happened to me).
The message is clear. We don’t value experience. We value the malleability of youth. This doesn’t just challenge one’s career; it hits hard at self-esteem and professional identity. What worth do you have if you cannot prove it in the workplace?
The Impact
Ageism can lead to a diminished sense of professional worth, isolation, and even depression. Developers who once led teams find themselves subtly sidelined, and once you’re over “middle age” expectations of your performance drop off — which is why you’ll struggle to get that high-paying job.
Although your programming knowledge increases with age, very few developers continue working past 50.
Whether you like it or not, people are feeling the challenge of agism in software development and exiting the profession. That means software dev teams are losing years of experience instead of embracing the knowledge that would benefit all within the industry.
Resilience
The picture is not completely bleak. Many older developers find ways to thrive by channeling their experience into mentorship and sharing knowledge gleaned from decades at the keyboard.
Many learn new tech where they not only stay relevant but prove they lead constant innovation.
They say resilience comes with age and many within the software development community thrive despite their advanced years.
Companies
There are companies that get this right. I know that I’ve previously written that diversity in tech is a joke but enlightened companies do recognize the benefits that age (and other diversity) gives to teams.
I’m saying good things exist. So please ignore “Young people are just smarter” idiot Zuckerberg. Perhaps startups aren’t the place. But there are good companies out there. Right! Right?
Conclusion
Innovation? Experience is no barrier to it. Creativity? Ditto.
The tech industry needs to acknowledge the ongoing issue of ageism and actively work to dismantle it if we are to learn from the most experienced and knowledgeable in our field.
Imagine a world where all developers feel respected and motivated. Wouldn’t that be a good thing?