In China, This question has been frequently discussed even when the tech industry was booming over a decade ago. Despite all the wealth-creation stories, there was always the perception that programming is a young person's game—make money while you're young because after 35, you will face the risk of unemployment in interviews. I'm 32 this year, so what's my take? From my job search experience this year, the situation is not optimistic!
Direct Answer: Yes, for Chinese developers
Unfortunately, for many Chinese developers, 35 is indeed a threshold where they face pressure of layoffs or being phased out. There's an abundant supply of young talent—fresh graduates who are energetic, have lower salary expectations, no family pressures, and can dedicate themselves to intensive work schedules.
Cost-Cutting and Rising Unemployment
In the post-pandemic era, with slowing global economic growth and geopolitical tensions, many companies are cutting costs and struggling to survive. This is especially true in the tech industry, where layoffs and "optimizations" are becoming increasingly common. Whether you're a fresh graduate or an experienced professional, finding a job has become extremely difficult.
A few years ago, when people were unhappy with their jobs, they could still have the ambition of "the world is so big, I want to see it"—switching jobs, Now, having a stable job is already a blessing, and receiving an offer is something worth celebrating on social media.
AI is a Double-Edged Sword
The economic downturn, company closures, and layoffs had already made job hunting difficult. Making matters worse, we're in the midst of the AI boom, which affects not just the tech industry but virtually every sector. Many entry-level and repetitive tasks have been replaced by AI, with companies eagerly adopting AI tools to further control costs and improve efficiency.
For junior programmers, over-relying on AI might limit personal technical growth. Without experiencing real-world challenges, they lack the practical experience to understand underlying technical logic and architecture. They also face the risk of companies choosing AI directly over junior developers. I suggest young programmers learn from AI rather than become completely dependent on it.
For experienced developers, AI can amplify their capabilities, making the strong even stronger—this is a very positive aspect.
Opportunities Within the Midlife Crisis
Although midlife programmers face crises everywhere, it doesn't mean we're at a dead end! Opportunities still exist, and we need to be prepared.
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The Rise of Web3 and Blockchain
From my job search experience this year, Web3 and blockchain have far more talent demand than traditional companies. We need to embrace change, learn blockchain-related technologies, and increase our competitiveness.
The Rise of Remote Work
After experiencing the pandemic era, both companies and individuals have realized that remote work is completely feasible. Therefore, we need to broaden our horizons, and seek employment opportunities globally, whether full-time or part-time remote work. Here are some of the most commonly used platforms:
| Platform Name | Key Features | Suitable Job Types | | -------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | | Upwork | Freelance platform offering global remote work opportunities | Programming, design, writing, customer service, marketing | | Freelancer | Competitive project bidding, suitable for remote work beginners