Have you reached that stage in your software career where you are wondering how relevant you might remain once you turn 50? Are you worried about finding a job that matches your existing skill set? If so, know that there is plenty of light at the end of this tunnel.
This blog post addresses all the aspects that need your attention in keeping your software career going way beyond your 50s, should you so desire.
You need to start by understanding that just your years of experience might not serve the purpose. This is because whiling away in your existing job without taking on new challenges, while simply waiting for the years to pile, will do little good for your prospects in the future. Therefore, what happens to your software career in your 50s and later is basically up to you.
What Does the Existing Scenario Look Like?
There are several programmers over 50 years of age who have managed to do rather well for themselves, be it in the form of responsibilities or financial growth. Some have found great roles with leading names such as Google and Amazon, some are playing important roles at startups, and some others have found success as independent consultants.
Names such as Jon Skeet, Linus Torvalds, Jeff Dean, John Cormack, and Doug Cutting have gone on to show that age is just a number when it comes to keeping a career in software going great guns. It is also interesting to note that not many end up going toward management.
What You Need to Do
If you are looking at continual growth in your software career, it is important that you remain ambitious and continue improving. Adding to your skill set along the way is crucial. For instance, if you have been programming for two or more decades, it is fair to assume that you have moved from COBOL to VB4 to Oracle to Java.
Going forward, the progression needs to continue. You may also need to reinvent yourself at some stage. Might you, for instance, consider a switch to AI- or IoT-related technology?
With a strong foundation of coding and database architecture in place, learning new technologies is fairly straightforward and takes little time. This is because you start seeing patterns that are repeated and reapplied in different domains.
Depending on how good you are and the value you bring to the table, you can end up being mediocre, while still retaining a good job, or become highly sought after by market leaders.
Roles You Might Get to Play
Depending on your skill set and areas of interest, you may consider taking up different roles in the later stages of your career.
Engineers can look for roles in technical management.
Coders can take up leadership roles related to product strategies.
You may work as a distinguished engineer, who is nothing short of an influencers’ influencer.
You can become a technology advisor for a large company that is working its way around the legalities of software development and use.
You can voice your opinion on controversial software-related topics such as the use of AI, cybersecurity, dark patterns, and software ethics.
What You Should Not Do
Several people try to rush their careers in a hurry to become product or people managers. This is usually with the aim of wanting to stop coding or getting a hike in salary. Most experts opine that getting an initial thrust in a software career can make you replaceable not far down the line. Besides, if you don’t pay attention to your technical skill set, and also indulge in office politics, you stand the risk of someone younger coming in and taking on your role more effectively.
The bottom line is that focusing on the technical side while continually upgrading your knowledge and skill set is bound to hold you in good stead no matter whether you are 50 or older. As long as you manage to stay relevant and have the fire in your belly going, there is no stopping you from shining in your software career even as the years go by.
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