I'm 53. I still program full time (embedded C++, but I may be moving into Android soon - like, this year). I've spent most of my career in embedded systems, which is kind of a different environment from most of programming.
My last two jobs, I've told them straight up in the interview that my career goal is to never be a manager. Both times I got hired anyway.
On my current job, I had to write the central piece that tied all the other pieces together in six months. There wasn't time for a learning curve. Experience is a big advantage in that kind of situation; I had 24 years, and it helped.
My last two jobs, I've told them straight up in the interview that my career goal is to never be a manager. Both times I got hired anyway.
On my current job, I had to write the central piece that tied all the other pieces together in six months. There wasn't time for a learning curve. Experience is a big advantage in that kind of situation; I had 24 years, and it helped.