When it comes to the tech world, there’s this belief that you have to be young, fresh-faced, and straight out of college to succeed. The stereotype is of the hoodie-wearing, energy-drink-consuming 20-something who codes around the clock and creates the next game-changing app. But is that actually how it is? Does age really matter when it comes to success in technology?
First and foremost, I believe it is essential to recognise that technology is not limited to the elderly. In fact, there are a lot of kids and teens out there that are achieving incredible things in the field of technology. Have you heard about the high school students who created an app that can detect signs of Parkinson’s disease? Or the 12-year-old who invented a device to help blind people navigate? It’s remarkable how young people are making waves with technology these days.
At the same time, I understand that there is a misconception that in order to succeed in technology, you must be a coding genius or have a fancy computer science degree. But this is not really the case. This industry offers a wide range of roles, from design to marketing to project management, and people of all ages can find a niche. Some of the most successful technology entrepreneurs started coding in their 30s or 40s.
Having said that, I believe there are some advantages to being older and more experienced. Older computer professionals frequently have a greater understanding of how businesses operate, more networking contacts, and more time to develop their problem-solving abilities. So, in that sense, age can undoubtedly influence career success. But, at the end of the day, I believe it boils down to passion, hard work, and a commitment to keep learning.
So yeah, the tech world is definitely not just for the old-timers. There’s room for people of all ages to make their mark, as long as they’ve got the right mindset and the willingness to put in the effort. It’s an exciting time to be in this field, no matter how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
Written by Stephen Afape
