New Blood vs. Old Blood: An Industry Disconnected from Experience

The challenges faced by older developers often parallel those encountered by newcomers trying to enter the field. One major issue is the lack of recognition for experience that exists outside the programming realm. In essence, there’s a prevalent attitude of:

"We don’t value your experience outside of coding."

This mindset makes it difficult for seasoned professionals transitioning from different careers to gain entry into software development. Consequently, the industry tends to lean towards younger candidates, even in 2023.

Consider a chemist who aspires to land a junior software developer position. Their coding experience may not be considered valid if it hasn’t been applied in a production environment. They’ll still face basic behavioral interview questions focused on teamwork and collaboration.

One can’t help but wonder how dire the situation might become. For instance, a friend of mine with extensive experience in childcare was asked about their organizational skills during a behavioral interview, despite their impressive background. In contrast, a 24-year-old named Dilan breezed through with his experience leading a computer club at university.

It raises an eyebrow, doesn’t it?

In summary, we are often selecting the wrong candidates for entry into the industry. Although respect for experience exists, it has its limits.

Rising Through the Ranks: Competency vs. Currency

Congratulations if you've navigated the ranks successfully! You might find yourself in a team lead role due to your coding skills and ability to impact the organization significantly. You’ve mastered new technologies and made substantial improvements at your company!

However, when it comes time to seek new opportunities, the question arises: “Do you want to work with us?” The catch is that you must demonstrate recent experience with the technologies currently in use. Despite having proven your ability to learn, the expectation is that you have actively contributed production code using their technology. If you can’t provide that evidence, your resume might be overlooked.

Thus, it becomes increasingly challenging for seasoned professionals to secure development roles or even to shift between positions as they advance in their careers. The industry still shows a strong preference for younger developers.

So, where do these older developers go?

Into Management

Many programmers find themselves directed towards people management roles, spending more time managing teams than engaging with technology. Unfortunately, those who are passionate about coding often don’t get chosen for these roles, leading some of the best developers to step away from programming altogether.

Transitioning to Freelance and Consultancy

I once worked alongside a tech lead who was disillusioned with several aspects of the industry, including:

• Management
• Overseeing others
• Attending meetings

Their primary desire was to code. However, as noted earlier, it can be challenging to find coding opportunities when you have extensive experience.

Exploring Parallel Careers

Some programmers choose to transition into alternative careers, such as teaching or product management. This shift often occurs when they wish to step back from coding. However, it can also be a forced exit from the field.

Sometimes, the issue lies with salary expectations. Companies may feel they can hire a junior developer for a fraction of the cost, leaving seasoned professionals out in the cold.

Conclusion

Indeed, while top-tier professionals can shine as individual contributors, those at the lower levels of the development hierarchy often face significant barriers. The industry may not fully appreciate the value of expertise and experience. Perhaps it’s time to reconsider this perspective?

At least now we have some insight into where older programmers tend to go.