Is it too late to try to get into FANG at age 43? Already have 8-9’ish yrs SWE experience but no web technologies. Mostly tools and datavis. Ageism is real in the valley. Also what areas should my friend get into to ensure he won’t lose his job / have a hard time finding work when in his 50’s? No trolls please. Need your advice. Thanks.
I know for a fact that at least two older guys (at least around late 40s) just started at Uber
Same, know someone that age also.
Not too late
Project manager, operations, sales engineer, business analyst, etc.
I’ve seen many cases when “older” people are hired at Google. I would say most interview teams I’ve been part of are very objective and age is never an issue.
I was just hired at Google for SWE role with basically 0 yoe as a programmer. Started coding 3 years ago and practiced in my free time. I turned 40 earlier this year.
Yes
@Leol42 what? is it relevant?
If you have good experience and background then age is not an issue. If you have only 5 years experience 3 times over then there are younger more energetic people out there to take your place.
I’m over 50 and in the past two months, got two offers as SWE from interviews in the Bay Area, one of them from a FANG. It’s not about your age, it’s about what you’ve learned recently. (It also helps if you love your job and love solving problems, which I do.)
Won’t these older SWE’s not get replaced by young ones at FANG or any other tier 1 and tier 2 companies here in the valley by the time they’re in their 50’s and 60’s? He will likely stay in IC track. Not a manager type.
I think you are thinking in terms of how much code can be churned out by a SWE. Think in terms of experience in system design and on a surface level, if the work done is correct, within the constraints, and the code does what it's supposed to within the given time, why worry about being replaced?
There's a reason why top tech companies are paying big $$$ for engineers. There's a huge shortage of good engineers. If you can make it into the top group of engineers, you will get hired. I manage a team with 3 folks who are 40+. They are great and everyone gets along with them.
I don't think so. Just to give you an example. If you have ever used Unix pipes, you may have heard of Douglas McIlroy, who used to work on Unix. Nowadays he is 86 years old, and still active in programming communities like Unix heritage and Haskell mailing list. As long as you like coding, and ready to work, then it's not a problem at all.
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Not a swe but first thing I'd say is be you and be confident. At the end of the day that's who you got, you.