[cr0sh]

> People complain about ageism in tech, but I suspect programming is actually one of the least ageist fields out there due to its underlying meritocratic nature.

I'm turning 45 years old next year; I've been employed as a software engineer since I was 18.

I've never had a problem getting a new job, whether by choice or because I had to due to a layoff or other scale back by a company. Part of the reason, I believe, is because I am always looking and working to improve my skills (my latest efforts have been in AI/ML and self-driving vehicle technology). I don't want to stagnate or otherwise get stuck in a rut, so to speak.

That doesn't mean I don't worry, but I think I may be ok as long as I'm not trying to drop into an SV startup/unicorn or one of the "big players" like Facebook or Google, that tend to hire younger players. That doesn't mean I'd turn down the chance interview at such a place, but I'm not looking in that direction (plus, I'm pretty rooted here in the Phoenix area).