Age in Silicon Valley

Good article - Silicon Valley’s Dark Secret: It’s All About Age - Tech Crunch.

I view technical workers as akin to migrant wokers. And when you get too old, your out the door. When I read about a labor shortage in Engineering I wonder what is being pushed.

And yes, I am not suggesting my daughter get an Engineering Degree like her Father did. The ups and downs of high tech employment explain why there are less people taking Engineering and Computer Science.

Possible thinking of person choosing a major:

My Father got laid off as an Engineer when his job was replaced by an H1B. Now going to school to become a Math Teacher. My Mother is working as an accountant and always has a job. Which major will I choose?

My 2 Cents:

1. H1B should be allowed to change jobs without any impact to their immigration application. I view the current system as indentured servitude. In the current system if you change jobs your immigration time for a green card is reset to zero.

2. Older workers are often more productive than younger workers. Unfortunately many firms discriminate against older workers. Short sighted, but true. I am not sure what can be done for this.

3. Make it easier for older workers to become Entrepreneurs.

4. Make it easier for technical workers, such as programmers, to be consultants. A change in the tax code in 1996 killed this industry.