I'm a 40+ engineer working in startups and I can't complain - my work life is good.
I did, however, encounter age discrimination (where I wasn't the victim, just a bystander) a few times during my career. This is only anecdotal evidence, but this usually correlated with places where the management was not very mature and professional and there were other problems.
I am a bit worried about the future, but I also have some confidence that as long as I keep my skills up-to-date and demonstrate my passion and commitment to the work I do there will always be work for me. Tech companies are so starved for good talent that if you have what to offer there will always be someone interested in hiring you.
Ageism exists, and it is ugly (just like the other isms), but it's decreasing with time and will probably not be a problem in the coming decades.
I did, however, encounter age discrimination (where I wasn't the victim, just a bystander) a few times during my career. This is only anecdotal evidence, but this usually correlated with places where the management was not very mature and professional and there were other problems.
I am a bit worried about the future, but I also have some confidence that as long as I keep my skills up-to-date and demonstrate my passion and commitment to the work I do there will always be work for me. Tech companies are so starved for good talent that if you have what to offer there will always be someone interested in hiring you.
Ageism exists, and it is ugly (just like the other isms), but it's decreasing with time and will probably not be a problem in the coming decades.