The notion that software development becomes a dead-end career after the age of 35 or 40 has sparked considerable debate. Some argue the tech industry’s obsession with youth and rapid change limits older professionals, while others highlight opportunities for sustained growth and evolution. In this case study, we’ll examine real-life experiences, data, and actionable steps to explore whether this stereotype holds true.
Software Development Dead-End Job After 35-40
The Origin of the Perception
The belief that software development careers decline after 35 stems from several misconceptions:
- Age Bias in Tech: Younger workers are often perceived as more innovative and adaptable.
- Fast-Paced Technology: Staying updated with new tools, languages, and frameworks can be demanding.
- Burnout: The high-pressure environment of coding can lead to mental fatigue.
- Career Plateaus: Developers may feel their career stagnates if promotions to leadership roles seem unattainable.
However, real-life cases show that many developers thrive well past this age, redefining what success looks like in tech.
Real-Life Experiences
Case Study 1: Steve
I am a 65-year-old software engineer who has worked for Apple, Adobe, eBay, Microsoft, VMware, Cisco, FileMaker, XO Communications, 2Wire, Egnyte, Nexsan, and two other start-ups. I have been laid off five times in my career. I always find another job within 3 to 4 weeks — even during a recession. I have had my job outsourced to India or China four times: especially in the last eight years. Nonetheless, there is always another employment opportunity waiting afterwards.
I love what I do. I’m still doing it; and, I have no immediate plans to stop doing it. Moreover, I am good at it. That’s not so much because I am a genius but rather because I have been doing software development for a really long time and I learned from my mistakes. In fact, there is no wide-spread computer language I can’t program in. Nor is there any OS platform I am not comfortable working on. And, besides the U.S., I have also worked overseas in Apple’s factories in China and Ireland. Besides English, I’ve learned to speak (poorly) Spanish and Italian, and I can manage about a ten phrases in Mandarin.
I have managed to do all this while successfully being married for 40 years, raised two adult children (one who is a Netflix software engineer), and I now have five grandchildren. According to the last Social Security report I receive annually from the government, my total lifetime income to date is: $3,042,040; and, I’m not done yet.
Having said all this, it is very much true that age discrimination and outsourcing is rampant in the Silicon Valley. Before age 45, I had a better than average chance of getting a job after a single interview. Now, at age 64, it takes me about ten interviews before I get the next job. Even then I sometimes have to work as a contractor without benefits. And, I have even learned to tolerate being interviewed by arrogant and entitled young preppies, most whom think they are somehow better than me even though they haven’t accomplished one tenth of what I have, nor have my superb academic credentials. (I have a B.S. in Civil Engineering and a M.S. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University — the latter at the top of my class.)
So, the answer to your question is: NO, software development is most certainly not a dead end job! It is a great job. Does it get tougher to get your next job as you get older? Oh hell yes. But, so what! If you love it as I do nothing but death or poor health can stop you. All it takes is a determination.
Never give up!
Follow up edit: Wow! Thanks for all of the great comments and positive feedback! After much thought and consideration, I have decided to move into part-time consulting and full-time retirement on November 1, 2019. However, I will still be programming and possibly attending classes at the nearby Texas State University – San Marcos. I’m not giving up. I’m just moving on to a new phase.
—
Steve Ussery
Case Study 2: Connor
A software developer I know recently got a call from a recruiter at Google, asking what it would take for him to come to work for them.
This developer had actually already worked for Google, but he left about five years ago to pursue other projects, and he didn’t want to live in one of the cities that have a Google office. Even though he didn’t have a degree in computer science and never took a college course in OOP, he must have impressed them enough to keep him on the recruitment list these years later. The recruiter suggested maybe he could be interested in interviewing with the Project Loon team in Singapore.
He gave a little chuckle to the recruiter over the phone, and his first question was: You know how old I am, right? The recruiter confirmed that yes, his date of birth was on file, and that Google didn’t factor age into its recruitment policies. The developer agreed to think about the prospect and they agreed to touch base again in a week.
That 66-year-old developer is my father. He is collecting social security while being courted by Google. He had a fulfilling career running his own company, consulting, and being an employee. He made contributions during the early stages of numerous technologies such as TCP networking, USB protocols, 802.11b implementation, and military GPS. Then he was hired by Google in 2008, when he was 58.
While at Google, he wrote software in Java, a language that wasn’t even invented until he was 45. And he was an individual contributor, without having any other engineer report to him.
One of the great things about software development is it’s all about your passion to learn and ability to perform, which is demonstrated by my dad’s career and the careers of thousands others. If you don’t have those required ingredients, then sure, software development is a dead-end job at any age. But if you have the passion and skill, then it is not a dead-end job after 40, 50, or even 60.
Case Study 3: Freelancing and Consulting Awais
Today I took a job interview for a job role which is somewhat newer for me to apply. I am not completely alien to it, but it’s obvious that the employer would take a chance on me and I will have to settle for lower salary in return of learning and working on a new-ish software development domain.
My resume lists 11 year of software development experience.
They went through my resume and I explained all the projects and different roles one by one.
Then they asked me questions about C++, polymorphism, inheritance, templates, function overloading, stack, heap, and so on.
I answered some correctly and directly; for some I explained correctly in technical terms but needed some steering from the interviewers; for some I said I don’t know. Though, by that time we all knew I could learn quickly based on the fact that I have proved through explaining my resume that I have learned different skills and programming languages over the last decade or so.
Then they told me to implement a coding problem in an online editor using C++.
I talked; commented the code; got stuck; they helped me move forward and it went good in my opinion. I am satisfied at a personal level. I was not frozen for once.
Ten years from now I can still apply and take a similar job interview without hesitating a bit about answering some academic questions and doing a live coding session.
Age does not matter as long as we keep on coding and not make it a matter of pride when a potential employer wants to ask theoretical questions and see how a potential employee would solve a coding problem under stress/pressure.
For someone completely fresh at 40 and wanting to start a programming career? It’s possible, just work hard to achieve the same level as that of someone who has been working since their early 20s.
I hope this helps.
Does Age Really Matter in Software Development?
Statistics on Age in Tech Careers
| Metric | Data | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average age of developers | 32.8 years (as of 2022) | Stack Overflow Developer Survey |
| Perception of age bias | 68% of developers believe age negatively impacts job prospects past 40 | Dice.com |
| Industries hiring older developers | Fintech, cybersecurity, enterprise software | Forbes |
While the average age in tech skews younger, many industries actively seek experienced developers for complex roles.
Advantages of Age in Software Development
- Deep Expertise: Years of experience lead to mastery in coding, debugging, and problem-solving.
- Soft Skills: Older developers often excel in communication, leadership, and mentoring.
- Broad Networks: Established connections can open doors to new opportunities.
- Adaptability: Contrary to stereotypes, experienced developers often thrive by learning continuously.
Myth-Busting: Why Software Development Is Not a Dead-End Job After 35-40
1. Career Diversity
Experienced developers can explore diverse roles:
- Technical Architect: Designing complex systems for large-scale applications.
- Consultant: Advising companies on best practices and strategies.
- Educator: Teaching coding bootcamps or creating online courses.
2. Lifelong Learning Opportunities
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Pluralsight make continuous learning accessible. For example:
- A developer can transition to data science by mastering Python and machine learning.
- Others might explore DevOps to address growing demand in infrastructure automation.
3. Lucrative Freelance Opportunities
Websites like Toptal, Freelancer, and Upwork connect seasoned developers with high-paying projects.
Example: A 40-year-old full-stack developer can earn $80-$120/hour freelancing remotely.
4. Thriving in Emerging Fields
Newer fields actively value experience, including:
- Blockchain Development
- AI/ML Engineering
- Cloud Computing
Actionable Plan for Sustained Growth in Software Development After 35-40
- Invest in Lifelong Learning
- Dedicate time to learn one high-demand skill per year.
- Use platforms like Coursera for structured learning.
- Attend industry conferences to stay updated.
- Network Strategically
- Join professional groups on LinkedIn.
- Participate in hackathons and meetups.
- Contribute to open-source projects to stay relevant.
- Diversify Income Streams
- Explore freelancing or consulting alongside your day job.
- Monetize knowledge through writing technical blogs or creating courses.
- Leverage Mentorship
- Offer guidance to junior developers, positioning yourself as a leader.
- Use mentorship opportunities to refine your communication skills.
- Focus on Health and Burnout Prevention
- Prioritize a balanced work-life schedule.
- Adopt stress-management techniques like mindfulness.
Opportunities Beyond Traditional Development
1. Teaching and Coaching
Platforms: Teachable, Skillshare, YouTube
Example: Create a course on advanced Java techniques.
Earnings Potential: $500-$5000/month depending on enrollment.
2. Writing and Blogging
Platforms: Medium, Dev.to, personal blogs
Example: Write about software architecture trends.
Earnings Potential: $100-$2000/month through ad revenue or sponsorships.
3. Leadership Roles
Platforms: AngelList, LinkedIn Jobs
Example: Transition to roles like CTO or Engineering Manager.
Salary: $120,000-$250,000/year.
Conclusion: A Bright Future Beyond 40
The belief that software development is a dead-end job after 35-40 is largely a myth. Real-life examples and industry trends reveal abundant opportunities for growth, whether through specialization, freelancing, or transitioning to leadership. By embracing continuous learning, networking, and diversification, developers can sustain rewarding careers well into their 40s and beyond.