You have my respect sir (I assume, but women have been a significant force in programming since the days of Yore).
I have been writing software since 1983, and Apple software since 1986. I started as an EE (actually, technician, but became an EE in '84).
I was a manager for a large part of my career, which relegated my programming to open-source projects (one of which has become a rather significant force, in its own right).
I also worked for a Japanese corporation for almost 27 years. The Japanese have a sort of "reverse-ageism" in their culture. Older folks are often treated with a great deal of respect, and their judgment is considered valuable. Many promotions have age (must be "at least"...) as a factor. There's lots of issues with Japanese business culture, but it was the environment where I learned a lot of my cultural cues.
So, it has been rather...interesting to encounter the current...um...level of respect...for experienced engineers in today's American tech industry.
TBH, it was shocking. I knew that it was a factor, but I had no idea that it was so prevalent. I was absolutely gobsmacked.
When I first encountered it, I just wanted to throw in the towel and run, but I don't work that way. Instead, I doubled-down, and it has been quite gratifying. I guess old dudes can code, after all...
I have been writing software since 1983, and Apple software since 1986. I started as an EE (actually, technician, but became an EE in '84).
I was a manager for a large part of my career, which relegated my programming to open-source projects (one of which has become a rather significant force, in its own right).
I also worked for a Japanese corporation for almost 27 years. The Japanese have a sort of "reverse-ageism" in their culture. Older folks are often treated with a great deal of respect, and their judgment is considered valuable. Many promotions have age (must be "at least"...) as a factor. There's lots of issues with Japanese business culture, but it was the environment where I learned a lot of my cultural cues.
So, it has been rather...interesting to encounter the current...um...level of respect...for experienced engineers in today's American tech industry.
TBH, it was shocking. I knew that it was a factor, but I had no idea that it was so prevalent. I was absolutely gobsmacked.
When I first encountered it, I just wanted to throw in the towel and run, but I don't work that way. Instead, I doubled-down, and it has been quite gratifying. I guess old dudes can code, after all...
Again, you have my respect.
This guy is inspiring: https://www.businessinsider.sg/oldest-nobel-prize-winner-art...