From Mainframes to a Mid-Life Pivot: Career Arcs in Technology
It's a common stereotype that the technology industry is a young person's game, dominated by fresh-faced graduates. However, a recent informal survey of tech professionals paints a very different picture, revealing a community rich with decades of experience and a surprising number of veterans who have witnessed the industry's entire evolution.
Decades of Experience
The most striking takeaway was the age range of active participants. While there were developers in their 20s and 30s, a significant portion of respondents were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, with some pioneers still actively contributing in their 70s and 80s. These seasoned professionals shared incredible personal histories of computing, offering a living timeline of the industry:
- One 77-year-old began with FORTRAN on an IBM 1130 in 1968 and now works with VS Code and Markdown for projects, including art installations.
- A 61-year-old recalled getting into computing just after the era of toggle switches and paper tape, and humorously remembered thinking in 1981 that there was "no money to be made in software."
- Several developers in their 50s recounted their first coding experiences on machines like the Commodore VIC-20, a stark contrast to the Atari consoles their friends had.
The Passion, the Burnout, and the Pivot
For many, the passion for programming that sparked in their youth has never faded. Commenters in their 30s and 40s expressed a continued love for coding that has lasted for over two decades. This enduring enthusiasm demonstrates that a fulfilling, lifelong career in software is possible.
However, the discussion also highlighted the darker side of a long tech career: burnout. One developer in their 50s described a path from software development to IT management that ultimately led to personal and professional collapse, citing a toxic combination of poor work/life balance and home-life stress. This sentiment was echoed by another developer, close to 50, who, partly due to the rise of LLMs, is now seriously considering a complete career change.
A Practical Guide to a Second Act: From Tech to the Trades
One of the most valuable threads in the conversation focused on pivoting from a white-collar tech job to a skilled trade. The developer considering leaving programming for an electrician apprenticeship sparked a highly encouraging and practical exchange.
Key advice for making such a move included:
- It's Never Too Late: An anecdote was shared about an IT manager who retired from tech in his 60s and successfully became a working electrician, suggesting that age and maturity can even be seen as assets.
- Find an Apprenticeship: The standard path is to start as an apprentice and work your way up. This hands-on training is essential.
- Leverage Unions: For those interested in becoming an electrician in the US, connecting with the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) was recommended. Unions can often help place you in an apprenticeship program and bootstrap your new career path.
This exploration of second acts provides a powerful reminder that career paths don't have to be linear and that it's possible to find fulfillment and a sustainable living outside the world of software, even after decades within it.