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by pisteoff 2663 days ago
I'm a systems engineer in WA state in my early 40s and this is exactly why I gave up trying to find a "real" DevOps job. I know Python, Puppet, Docker, Azure, etc. very well, have a liberal arts BA as well as a good chunk of a CS degree, but found that I couldn't get an offer no matter how well the interviews went. I eventually chalked it up to my age, especially after I was made fun of during a team lunch portion of an interview, and decided to just stay in the public sector. I've gotten to the point where it just doesn't matter to me anymore. My kids are well cared for, my wife is happy, and I have a life outside of work I love. What else do I need? For me, chasing a career is a fool's errand.
2 comments
Down_n_Out 2662 days ago
I share your sentiment, my experience exactly, hence I've steered towards architecture and (team) management roles instead since there experience is highly valued over age or better yet, you get positive discrimination because of the age. The funny part is that I get to lead DevOps teams now who are surprised I know as much as they do or most of the times more than them.
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dajohnson89 2663 days ago
that is depressing. early 40s isn't even that old. are your salary demands outrageous, or do you just think it's outright ageism?
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pisteoff 2663 days ago
I make at least 30% less than any systems related industry job out there, so no I don't think my salary demands are outrageous. I think it's a combination of ageism, having a family - hence not being willing to put in insane hours, and the idea that someone coming from the public sector cannot succeed anywhere else.
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toomuchtodo 2663 days ago
Consider throwing your extra time into a side project. You'll come out ahead regardless. You'll get a nice chunk of passive income, you'll replace your day gig income and have a lot more flexibility, or you could turn it into a demo to show during interviews.
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stcredzero 2663 days ago
simonswords82 in this discussion claims that the side project SaaS passive income is now a thing of the past.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19164389

you could turn it into a demo to show during interviews.

That is my plan.

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