Systemic Age Discrimination in Tech, Even as Tech Workers Get Better with Age | Hacker News Reader

Systemic Age Discrimination in Tech, Even as Tech Workers Get Better with Age

wolfstreet.com

25 pointsSQL22197 comments

Survivorship bias should have beeen mentioned in this article when talking about the fact that older employees are more likely to do well than younger ones. Given the smaller percentage of older employees (versus what should be expected), it is likely those that do survive will be better than average.

If the takeaway is that companies should seek out more older candidates to hire, then your comment reinforces that takeaway.

The point is that software development companies are missing an important element of diversity when they fail to hire older workers. Suret the younger ones can learn new tricks, but who is there to teach them?

Lots of the knowledge that older workers have is not taught in books or university programs. Knowing what not to do, what to do first, how to properly prioritize the work, and where to find bugs and eliminate them. This is stuff that you only learn from exp;erience unless you have an older guide to light the way.

And it isn't just the experience in their technical area-- it is the experience in life, in communication, in seeing many cycles in innovation, and an experience with a culture and time that is different than the one 20-30 year olds have known. It is unfortunate that people can't do many different careers in their lives, applying the skills of one to another. Switching is rare because you have to chose a track and never deviate. For all the talk in the younger generation about iteration and analysis and rapid modification to promote innovation, one might assume that they welcome those who have changed and refashioned skills and careers. Instead, they seem to fear those who are adept, strong, and confident about learning new careers and making change. It's ironic. It is also tragic for those who have the courage and grit to change, and who can't get hired in any new field despite their skill and hipness w new technology. This speaks of fear, and of anxiety on the part of younger generation. About? That there will be no work? I'm not sure...

> it is likely those that do survive will be better than average.

Is it? I know lots of reasons people survive at companies other than skill or competence.

Tech workers also get more expensive with age. That's real motivator.

People getting discriminated against aren't going to get more expensive, probably the opposite.

Lets also remember that as you progress in your career it takes longer to shift between levels.

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