<p>Right now, I'm an undeclared engineering major. I'm about halfway through taking my GE's and my math and science courses, but I'll have to pick a major by the end of next semester. I'm leaning toward computer-related majors (Comp Sci, Comp Eng, IT, etc) right now, but I heard that rampant age discrimination puts an abrupt end to most people's careers by the time they are in their mid-late 40s. Is it really that bad? I don't intend to work past age 65 or anything, but I also don't want to be jobless by the time I'm in my 40's or 50's.</p>
<p>Also, how are we supposed to know all (or most) of the requirements that are listed in job descriptions? There are many companies that want us to know things like C#, Ruby on Rails, .NET, etc. and have certifications like CCNA, CTT+, MCTS, and so on. Schools obviously don't have time to teach all of that, so do computer-related majors have to learn a lot on their own?</p>
<p>Finally, how hard is it to stay on the treadmill of ever changing programming languages, networks, and operating systems? It seems that a new "style" comes in every 2-3 years, and I've heard horror stories of people having to spend lots of time having to keep up with the latest programming language that is in fashion.</p>
<p>You’ll want enough grounding in the concepts to be able to learn new things as needed and adapt to changing technologies easily. Yes, new programming languages, network equipment, etc. and the like are things that a good software development or IT person should be able to learn fairly easily on his/her own.</p>
<p>For software development, you’ll want the following courses, probably within the context of a CS major:</p>
<p>Software Engineering
Algorithms and Complexity
Operating Systems
Computer Networks
Databases
User Interfaces
Security</p>
<p>For IT, a full CS major is not really needed, but the following courses will give you a better technical background than most IT people (who have do not have enough technical background to adapt easily to new technologies or handle unusual problems):</p>
<p>Operating Systems
Computer Networks
Databases
Security</p>
<p>Yes, there’s probably a lot of age discrimination. But economic cycles also have a lot to do with employment. As for the job ads, in times of an over supply of labor companies will typically get extremely picking (“oh, last year’s version? we don’t want you”) and the reverse will be true when employers are desperate (“you have some experience with half of all those things we asked for…that’s close enough”). However, the trend in recent years to rely on untrained HR people to screen everyone out also should be factored in. (“No #10 envelope and wrong font? Throw his resume out.”)
You get the idea.
Yes, it is a challenge to keep marketable but of course it depends on your skill set, location, and niche. So trying to project out several decades especially in a tech industry heavily dependent on currently unknown developments and trends is a complete roll of the dice.</p>
<p>I think your impression of age descrimination is overstated. If you’re good at the job, and your skills are current it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. I’m sure it goes on though. In general it’s not a brick wall as you describe it. I’m sure it’s true at some companies, not so much at big ones who have a lot to lose in age descrimination lawsuits.</p>
<p>Regarding skills listed in job ads. Most of the time it’s a wish list. It’s the list of skills the perfect candidate would have. Employers don’t usually expect to find the perfect candidate with all of those skills, if we can find 70-80% match we’re usually happy. </p>
<p>It also depends on how the job description is written. I break it up into “required skills”, and “nice to have skills”. Not everyone does this of course. Even though I state that a skill is “required” most of the resumes I get don’t have all the required skills. I wish they wouldn’t apply, but I understand why they do. They don’t know if I really mean “required” or not. If someone takes the time to break out required vs. nice to have they probably mean it. </p>
<p>On the other hand I may not get any candidates with all the required skills, and be forced to choose from the resumes I have. It’s risky to keep looking forever. Management might get the impression I really don’t need that headcount that bad, and cancel it.</p>
<p>When a job ad says something like “required experience 6-8 years” does that mean that candidates with more than 8 years experience are disqualified?</p>