Beware the Mid-Career Crisis for Programmers: The Four Major Causes

In the rapidly evolving internet industry of today, questions and discussions like "Is 35 a turning point for programmers?", "Do programmers really face unemployment at 35?", and "What's next for programmers after 35?" are rampant. The debate and concern over a so-called "crisis at 35" for programmers have become hot topics. This may stem from an uncertainty about the future and a fear of the pace at which AI technology is developing. As they age, programmers might face the risk of becoming "obsolete" and struggle to adapt to industry changes.

"However, the solution lies with the one who tied the bell," so to speak. We should face and address these issues, explore the reasons behind them, and understand how to avoid such situations. Therefore, this article delves into the root causes of these issues and offers practical advice to help programmers avoid these pitfalls, enhance their professional level and achievements, and stay ahead of the times.

1. Not Proficient with Tools

As programmers, our work is inseparable from various tools, and mastering these tools can not only improve work efficiency but also reduce the likelihood of errors. However, often we may miss the chance to enhance our work efficiency due to unfamiliarity with certain tools. For instance, under the influence of AI tools, if we don't learn to utilize these smart tools, we might easily be eliminated in fierce competition. From intelligent code editors to speech recognition software, the involvement of AI technology has become an indispensable part of the modern work environment.

Recommended AI Tools:

• Visual Studio IntelliCode is an intelligent code editor that offers efficient and personalized code completion suggestions based on context and your coding habits, making coding smoother.
• GPT-4 is a natural language processing tool capable of generating high-quality text content, aiding in writing documents, reports, or even blog posts, saving a lot of time.

For example, if we still use Notepad for coding and don't utilize the powerful features of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), we'll waste a lot of time on tedious tasks and increase the risk of errors during code writing. Additionally, incorrect use of version control systems could lead to code version chaos, hindering team collaboration and code management.

Recommended Integrated Development Tools:

• XAMPP is a cross-platform solution that supports Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and more. It integrates Apache server, MySQL database, PHP, Perl, and other tools.
• ServBay is a local web development environment designed specifically for macOS, integrating popular Caddy server, MariaDB and PostgreSQL databases, Redis, Memcached, and other NoSQL databases, as well as phpMyAdmin, adminer, and other database management tools.

Through these examples, you'll find that by making good use of tools, we can not only improve work efficiency but also adapt to the rapidly changing work environment, maintain competitiveness, and better unleash our creativity and professional capabilities.

2. Dislikes Communication and Feedback

In my career, I've noticed a significant portion of programmers prefer to "keep their heads down and code, oblivious to their surroundings." Many believe that strong technical skills and certifications alone can dominate the workplace, which is problematic. While technical expertise is crucial, good communication and active feedback are equally important. However, for those not adept at communication and feedback, this habit can severely harm the team and project.

Communication Difficulties, Team Fragmentation
Effective communication is key to maintaining team cohesion. If individuals prefer to work in isolation or avoid interacting with others, team collaboration is likely to suffer. A lack of communication can lead to information silos, task duplication, unclear objectives, and more, thereby reducing the overall team's work efficiency and even affecting team atmosphere and balance.

Lack of Feedback, Hindered Project Progress
Feedback is vital for project success. If someone habitually fails to provide feedback to others, potential issues in the project may not be identified and resolved in time. Whether it's positive encouragement or constructive criticism, feedback among team members is crucial for team growth and project progress. Ignoring feedback means the team can't adjust direction in a timely manner, can't improve work quality, and may ultimately lead to project failure or delays.

Harms Team, Harms Project
For individuals not skilled in communication and feedback, they might miss opportunities for in-depth interaction with team members, miss chances to improve issues, and ultimately miss the opportunity for project success. Communication and feedback are not just soft skills beyond technology; they are essential elements for ensuring smooth team collaboration and successful project progression. If individuals act independently and are unwilling to share information and ideas with others, it could severely harm the entire team and project, making it difficult to achieve common goals.

3. Over-Indulgence in Learning and Training, Lack of Practical Experience

As a programmer passionate about coding and with a strong desire for knowledge, I once fell into the trap of over-learning and training. Reflecting on my early days, I was obsessed with learning various new technologies but neglected the importance of applying knowledge in practice. This behavior not only wasted my valuable time but also made me miss many practical work opportunities.

Wasted Time, Missed Opportunities
In actual work, employers value our practical abilities and problem-solving skills more. If we only stay at the theoretical level and lack practical project experience, we will miss many work and project opportunities.

Wasted Money, Difficult to Apply
Dazzled by the myriad courses on the market, I was confused and gradually deviated from my initial learning goals, emptying my wallet in the process. However, I eventually realized that much of this knowledge couldn't be practically applied or transformed.

Thus, my advice to beginners is to learn some basics, then learn by doing. When encountering problems, focus on learning to solve them. This way, you won't deviate from your goals and can maintain a balance between knowledge and action.

4. Lack of Career Planning and Goals

Lack of Ambition Leads to Stagnation Crisis
Without career planning and clear career goals, programmers can easily fall into a comfort zone and stagnate. With rapid technological development and increasing market competition, older programmers may struggle to keep up with the younger generation's pace, putting them at a disadvantage during interviews and job adjustments.

Lack of Enthusiasm for New Technologies
As time goes by, some outdated technologies may gradually be phased out. If programmers stay too long on these obsolete technologies and don't update their skill sets in time, it will become increasingly difficult to compete in the market.

Lack of Industry Recognition and Development
Programmers lacking clear career planning and goals often struggle to maintain continuous learning and growth. This can lead to difficulties in gaining industry recognition and advancement opportunities as they age.

Therefore, early career planning, setting clear goals, and continuously learning and upgrading one's skills are key to maintaining competitiveness and career development. I hope every programmer realizes this, actively plans their career path, and embraces future challenges.

In Conclusion
It's said that Turing Award winner and SQL language inventor, Jim Gray, was still programming at the age of 76. Time couldn't defeat him; eventually, he disappeared into the vast ocean.

I firmly believe that in this era full of opportunities and challenges, as long as we possess the right wisdom and strategies, we can avoid these unemployment traps and achieve continuous growth and development in our careers. Let's navigate through the 35-year-old crisis together and lead our professional journeys towards a brighter future.