How to Beat the 35‑Year‑Old Programmer Crisis: Expert, Manager, or Entrepreneur?

Since Huawei introduced mandatory retirement at 45, a rumor spread that programmers face a “35‑year‑old crisis,” becoming the primary target for layoffs and dismissals.

The piece argues that programming is a “youth‑dependent” profession, comparing the cognitive peak at 22 to the entertainment industry’s focus on looks, and warns that rapid technological turnover causes experience to lose value quickly.

It presents four possible routes for programmers over 35:

1. Remain a technical expert

Choose stable platforms or fields where technology turnover is slower, such as embedded development, or join large companies like BAT that value deep technical expertise and can support senior engineers.

2. Move into technical management (CTO path)

Transition to roles like Tech Lead or IT Manager, focusing on converting technology into productivity, building effective teams, and shaping technical strategy rather than merely writing code.

3. Start a technology‑driven business

Leverage a strong technical background to launch a startup; many successful entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley began as engineers, using their technical insight to drive product innovation.

4. The humorous “idle” option

The article jokes that without a wealthy benefactor (e.g., a “Wang Jianlin” or “Jack Ma”), this path is unrealistic.

Overall, the article advises programmers to continuously update their skills, consider stable yet challenging domains, and be open to management or entrepreneurship to sustain a long‑term career.