The constant relearning of tech (programming) is why I got out of development and into Business Analysis and IT Management. As I got older I didn't want to keep re-inventing myself as a developer. I got lucky that I was able to stay in my chosen career for 40 years doing different jobs. I got out at 65 and am now retired.
I tried getting into BA work. I couldn't find an employer willing enough to give me a go at it, which is funny because most developers do that as part of their job anyway.
You've had an interesting career path and working life. When I started out as a software developer in my early 20s, one of the first things I noticed was that there was no developer over 40 in any of the workplaces I worked. Made me realise I had to plan for a career of at most 20 years.
Yes it was nagging me for decades to move into management. And then I thought, I hate managing people so just kept programming. Eventually it catches up!
Any adult with responsibilities has to think about supporting a family, mortgage and car payments. So at times you just got to go with the bird in hand rather than wait for the one in the bush that never comes. You did the right thing not waiting.
You should be proud that you were in the top group to qualify for that initial training at age 20. You should also be proud about how successful you were at learning new programming languages and adapting to an ever-changing field. You'll be feeling much better when you get your "Super," which I assume is the equivalent of the USA's Social Security. Can you take just any available job to earn some cash until you get your "Super"? I don't understand the Australian system, but there's a saying here that it doesn't matter what you do to make a living because "it all comes from the same Mint." Count your blessings and recognize your achievements. I'd like to add that in the USA health care is the area least likely to discriminate by age. Older doctors are revered, and that attitude colors the approach to supporting staff. Might there be a role for you there (even if part time) in your country?
Superannuation is the contribution you make during your working years to an accumulated fund, taken from your pay by the employer. It's a retirement fund. It can be accesed when you're 65. It's the government's attempt to get people to fund their own retirement so they're not reliant on welfare. Super became compulsory in Australia about 3 decades ago.
@@streaming5332 Thank you. Is there a guaranteed amount the way Social Security in the USA is? Here there's a minimum amount you'll get, but how much you get depends on your income during your working life. It is not a set account just for you. Is the Super an actual account about which you make investment decisions?
Interesting narrative about your journey as a software developer. I would say you are not alone. As an electrical engineer self trained in software, my first work experiences were in c, c++ and MFC. However, I found that as c++ was gaining steam, some managers were very cautious about its adoption, saying it was 'too new etc'. Yet, the power of classes, inheritance, and OO was quite apparent. So it was sometimes the case that management was kind of stuck in using an older methodology, and if a person worked there, they were not being exposed at all to something newer. Essentially, sometimes, management can stop a programmer's natural healthy learning curve, and when the gig ends, that programmer find themselves without the proper industrial skills.
Do you have peers who chose a different career path and came out much better? Most of my friends in their 50s , even 40s,who were in IT have had to switch to something else. On the other hand those in Education and Healthcare havent had too. Bankers mostly had to retire by 50 but they had earned enough to retire comfortably had they invested well.
I don't keep much in contact anymore. Some just retired, some moved on to other things. They main factor for me at least was having several partners more than the job.
Thanks for your insight of your career. I feel that you've missed the original topic on why you don't settle for any job. Basically in my view, I agree that you don't take anything unless you're absolutely broke; because you'll lose the time and flexibility in finding what you're after.
I did answer that towards the end in a unclimatic kind of way! Basically you'll get so caught up in your current job you tend to miss the *wave* of new trends/frameworks.
It probably would have been yes, since accounting rules haven't really changed. Only the software has. As for engineering, theres been a few engineers comment on this channel say that profession is as bad and as ageist as it is for programmers.
yep, web dev kinda sucks the life out of you, but not as much as having to justify your existence to breathe every time to a potential new employer, that is the worst.
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The constant relearning of tech (programming) is why I got out of development and into Business Analysis and IT Management. As I got older I didn't want to keep re-inventing myself as a developer. I got lucky that I was able to stay in my chosen career for 40 years doing different jobs. I got out at 65 and am now retired.
I tried getting into BA work. I couldn't find an employer willing enough to give me a go at it, which is funny because most developers do that as part of their job anyway.
You've had an interesting career path and working life. When I started out as a software developer in my early 20s, one of the first things I noticed was that there was no developer over 40 in any of the workplaces I worked. Made me realise I had to plan for a career of at most 20 years.
Yes it was nagging me for decades to move into management. And then I thought, I hate managing people so just kept programming. Eventually it catches up!
Excellent - really like these down memory lane of the tech world from workers perspective.
Glad you enjoyed it
Any adult with responsibilities has to think about supporting a family, mortgage and car payments. So at times you just got to go with the bird in hand rather than wait for the one in the bush that never comes. You did the right thing not waiting.
When there's bills to pay...
Yes always bills :(
You should be proud that you were in the top group to qualify for that initial training at age 20. You should also be proud about how successful you were at learning new programming languages and adapting to an ever-changing field. You'll be feeling much better when you get your "Super," which I assume is the equivalent of the USA's Social Security. Can you take just any available job to earn some cash until you get your "Super"? I don't understand the Australian system, but there's a saying here that it doesn't matter what you do to make a living because "it all comes from the same Mint." Count your blessings and recognize your achievements.
I'd like to add that in the USA health care is the area least likely to discriminate by age. Older doctors are revered, and that attitude colors the approach to supporting staff. Might there be a role for you there (even if part time) in your country?
Superannuation is the contribution you make during your working years to an accumulated fund, taken from your pay by the employer. It's a retirement fund. It can be accesed when you're 65. It's the government's attempt to get people to fund their own retirement so they're not reliant on welfare. Super became compulsory in Australia about 3 decades ago.
@@streaming5332 Thank you. Is there a guaranteed amount the way Social Security in the USA is? Here there's a minimum amount you'll get, but how much you get depends on your income during your working life. It is not a set account just for you. Is the Super an actual account about which you make investment decisions?
I have full access to my super now. That is what I am living on :(
Even in Australia doctors and nurses are in demand. There is a global shortage in healthcare especially with people living longer these days.
I think many nurses also declined to get their shot too. I heard a lot of people were let go for that reason, which might account for the shortage.
Interesting narrative about your journey as a software developer. I would say you are not alone. As an electrical engineer self trained in software, my first work experiences were in c, c++ and MFC. However, I found that as c++ was gaining steam, some managers were very cautious about its adoption, saying it was 'too new etc'. Yet, the power of classes, inheritance, and OO was quite apparent. So it was sometimes the case that management was kind of stuck in using an older methodology, and if a person worked there, they were not being exposed at all to something newer. Essentially, sometimes, management can stop a programmer's natural healthy learning curve, and when the gig ends, that programmer find themselves without the proper industrial skills.
Yeah once you start doing 1 particular thing for a few years, it's really easy to make yourself obsolete with the newer trends if you don't keep up.
Do you have peers who chose a different career path and came out much better? Most of my friends in their 50s , even 40s,who were in IT have had to switch to something else. On the other hand those in Education and Healthcare havent had too. Bankers mostly had to retire by 50 but they had earned enough to retire comfortably had they invested well.
I don't keep much in contact anymore. Some just retired, some moved on to other things. They main factor for me at least was having several partners more than the job.
You have had a very interesting career. ❤
Fly with the breeze type of career haha
Difference between have too and being able to wait on finding a job one would like.
Yes. It didn't work especially well for me.
Thanks for your insight of your career. I feel that you've missed the original topic on why you don't settle for any job. Basically in my view, I agree that you don't take anything unless you're absolutely broke; because you'll lose the time and flexibility in finding what you're after.
I did answer that towards the end in a unclimatic kind of way! Basically you'll get so caught up in your current job you tend to miss the *wave* of new trends/frameworks.
@@AgeBlockedThank you. I'm enjoying your videos. Keep them coming. Cheers
what about javascript and PHP (front and back)?
I've done some PHP but haven;t really done javascript at all.
What's with the Star of David in the thumbnail?
I have multiple thumbnails running. Which one is it? Blame the AI on that
You still had a bit of work during your career. Surely you saved quite abit for retirement. What about super? Did you contribute much to your super?
I'm surviving on my super now actually. And I lost about 30% of it when the market dropped when covid started ( I had the investment set to shares )
@AgeBlocked how long will it last? Here in Singapore part of it goes into an annuity that gives us monthly payouts for life from age 65
I estimate maybe 3 years? I am not overly concerned as I'll get a pension anyway.
Didn't go to uni....... you must have matriculated, smart enough to get a Commonwealth scholarship.
I did go to uni to do accounting. But I got bored with it.
@@AgeBlockeddo you think your career path would have been more stable as an Accountant/ Auditor?
Or an engineer as a stable career. Computing was very new then, not even being taught in tertiary institutions.
It probably would have been yes, since accounting rules haven't really changed. Only the software has.
As for engineering, theres been a few engineers comment on this channel say that profession is as bad and as ageist as it is for programmers.
yep, web dev kinda sucks the life out of you, but not as much as having to justify your existence to breathe every time to a potential new employer, that is the worst.
Hopefully it improves soon, or maybe not at all considering there are some AI sites than will generate a website for you now.