Help!

Anonymous

May 13,2022 at 2:48PM UTC

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Help!

I have been at my company for 21 years, doing software development. I've survived four different sales of the company, and worked for the same manager for over 10 years. The company is being sold again and this time, I am being laid off. Offshore developers are much, much cheaper.

So I'm unexpectedly looking for a new position and I'm finding out that while I was busy doing my job and learning new things over the last 21 years, the "new things" I learned were not the "right" things. I apply for positions, and generally I get at least a recruiter interview. After that, everything falls apart. There are painful tech interviews (asking questions a recent college grad would probably know, but it's been almost 30 years since I was learning computer science in school and things have obviously changed a lot since then). They also put you through online technical assessments that are beyond difficult and again, I feel like they are aimed at the younger crowd. I also have major test anxiety and some social anxiety (hence being a programmer seemed like a good idea). I am smart and can learn quickly but no one seems to want to give me a chance.

I thought about getting out of coding and doing something like business analysis or Scrum Master or technical writing. I do not have "years" of experience doing those things and while I realize I would need to take a pay cut for them, I can't lose half my current salary. But I can't seem to find anything like that either.

At the moment I am still employed but likely only through the end of June. I am single and don't have a second income to fall back on.

How can I transition out of coding and into something else without taking a huge cut in pay? I'm 54 and feeling like a dinosaur. I am at my wit's end and starting to panic. How do I find a company who is just willing to give me a chance? I KNOW I can do the work, but I seem to be unable to convince them. I've networked, etc. I feel so lost.

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AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 5:33PM UTC
Have you considered teaching coding while you figure it out?
That is what I did. Teaching in a boot camp setting is a win-win because you get to update your skills while helping new developers learn. Plus, 'coding dinosaur' status is an advantage, it is called experience! (I say that with love, I am a fellow coding oldie!)
In addition, it is generally part-time and will give you some breathing space to figure out your next move (or you can even do it while working your other job.)
For me after a similar struggle, I ended up in data. I always loved data, was able to skill up using mostly free resources, and just found a job where people will pretty much leave me alone and let me use my skills.
This is a great fit for me because data jobs use coding skills and thought processes but favor mature workers who can sit and get the (decidedly non-flashy) work done. Plus, there are a ton of resources out there to help you upskill.
Good luck! I joke, but 54 is NOT a dinosaur. We have a lot to offer, including the ability to stay on task, manage projects and not cause drama.
A mature workplace is out there and as a coder pivoting to technical writing, data, teaching, or program management are all possibilities. But just make sure that you are leading with your strengths. Of course, we don't have the same skills as a college grad, but we have others.
The right workplace for you is the workplace that values those other skills.
Colleen WaiteMay 13,2022 at 6:47PM UTC
Thank you so much for your reply. It's the best advice I've heard in so long. I really appreciate your ideas and thoughts. I never thought of teaching ... I feel like I need to go to bootcamp rather than teach it! ;-) I do feel like I have a lot to offer; it's so hard to find the people who can see that. Good for you for finding that great fit. I work (indirectly) with "big data" right now but not in an analyst type role. I will consider looking into that for sure. Thank you so much!
AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 4:48PM UTC
A lot of govt agencies need folks with software dev background. Try usajobs.gov just make sure you fill out everything requested on the resume. A lot of offices allow partial remote work , coming to the office 1x per week.