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jeff47

(26,549 posts)

37. I'm trying to say we don't have crystals in our hands that start blinking red at 40.

Thu Dec 26, 2013, 02:44 PM

Dec 2013

Programmers over 40 will hit a problem that plumbers over 40 do not. That doesn't make the programmers doomed. It means they'll have to do something different than plumbers to stay employed in that field. If they want to.

Knowing that this problem is coming allows them to prepare for it, making it a relatively small problem instead of doomsday.

As for the STEM bullshit, that's something politicians throw about to cover lies like "We need H1B visas" and "Don't worry about losing your factory job, we'll make you all computer programmers".

If there was any reality to the STEM bullshit, STEM salaries would be going through the roof - supply and demand also applies to labor, after all. STEM salaries haven't been going through the roof. In most fields, salaries are flat or rising slowly. But spouting the STEM bullshit is nice political cover.

If you want wasteland, consider what's going to happen in a few decades as more and more automation takes over for labor. It's not going to be too terribly long before we don't need human plumbers anymore.

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Duers know anybody that has dropped out of the workforce? [View all] discocrisco01 Dec 2013 OP

If I ever just dropped out of the work force, my chances of survival would be pretty slim. phleshdef Dec 2013 #1

All but three of my graduating class in computer science. Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #2

I worry about that because my son is studying C.S. right now. pnwmom Dec 2013 #6

In my experience, no. Ageism is SOP throughout the field, and you're in the last job Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #14

"The rates I see the people that do the actual work being paid today is frankly shocking" winter is coming Dec 2013 #15

Yeah, one of the 'other' things I do is IT. I wouldn't recommend it. stevenleser Dec 2013 #19

That's what my son started out with, but it just wasn't clicking for him. pnwmom Dec 2013 #20

Well, if he is hell bent on IT, I would recommend one of two sub-fields stevenleser Dec 2013 #21

Thanks, Steven. n/t pnwmom Dec 2013 #23

I would add to that GIS skills. Python and SQL programmers/developers are in demand and adirondacker Dec 2013 #25

He should try merging medical and CS...that will probably be a growth industry! nt MADem Dec 2013 #26

Good idea. n/t pnwmom Dec 2013 #28

CS, like many jobs today, requires constantly re-training jeff47 Dec 2013 #31

Thank you, Jeff 47. This is very helpful. n/t pnwmom Dec 2013 #32

I don't disagree with anything you wrote, but I would point out that your last sentence Egalitarian Thug Dec 2013 #35

I'm trying to say we don't have crystals in our hands that start blinking red at 40. jeff47 Dec 2013 #37

pushed out johnsolaris Dec 2013 #3

+1 for "pushed out". I know people who haven't completely stopped looking, but doubt they'll winter is coming Dec 2013 #4

All of us who decided to go for Social Security at age 62 eridani Dec 2013 #5

Yep. Moi. spiderpig Dec 2013 #10

I was working full-time until I was 71. Then I was laid off in 2010. RebelOne Dec 2013 #11

I haven't worked for over 3 years johnnypneumatic Dec 2013 #7

If you're willing to move jeff47 Dec 2013 #33

I gave up looking for a job after a year of unemployment, rudolph the red Dec 2013 #8

Yes, I know someone who gave up. nt LumosMaxima Dec 2013 #9

Yes. He's 55, laid off. in 2008 from an exec job in the auto industry riderinthestorm Dec 2013 #12

I have always pipoman Dec 2013 #13

Me Holly_Hobby Dec 2013 #16

My brother. Nt s-cubed Dec 2013 #17

Truthfully? Me. ladyVet Dec 2013 #18

I know at least three PsychoBunny Dec 2013 #22

Yes. Me. LiberalEsto Dec 2013 #24

I may be dropping out soon spinbaby Dec 2013 #27

Me Are_grits_groceries Dec 2013 #29

There are hundreds around here, luckily most of us were near doc03 Dec 2013 #30

A few (nt) bigwillq Dec 2013 #34

My mother did. She's in her early 60's. Barack_America Dec 2013 #36

They're growing pot in Northern California. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2013 #38

someone who's been collecting UI and avoiding interviews he may get alc Dec 2013 #39

Daniel Suelo has been living without money, Shankapotomus Dec 2013 #40