In traditional industries, experience built up connections, and older workers would be hired for their "Rolodex" to bring in the money. In tech as an IC, proving the value of experience is much more subtle.
In my day to day work, I recognize that a lot of what I do could just as easily be done by a college intern. It's those rare occasions when I can stop a terrible decision that my experience comes into play. I will speak up when a PM wants to launch a stupid idea, or an Exec tries to pursue a strategy that I know will fail. It's those rare but valuable instances that I highlight in my performance review.
And still, I don't know how long I will be able to stay ahead of the curve and one day I might not be able to justify my value. Age discrimination is a symptom of a larger problem to which this hyper-rational capitalism we've inherited is subjecting all of us, young and old. Prove yourself or die, it's actually quite disturbing.
In my day to day work, I recognize that a lot of what I do could just as easily be done by a college intern. It's those rare occasions when I can stop a terrible decision that my experience comes into play. I will speak up when a PM wants to launch a stupid idea, or an Exec tries to pursue a strategy that I know will fail. It's those rare but valuable instances that I highlight in my performance review.
And still, I don't know how long I will be able to stay ahead of the curve and one day I might not be able to justify my value. Age discrimination is a symptom of a larger problem to which this hyper-rational capitalism we've inherited is subjecting all of us, young and old. Prove yourself or die, it's actually quite disturbing.