Any IT Developers? At a career crossroads!

[fretaway]

I have worked as an IT developer for the past 9 years and returned to work from ML at the beginning of this year. The thing is I don't really see a career lasting much longer for me in this sector - I'm in my 30s and there are people much younger than me who are willing to work longer hours and get paid less. I work reduced hours now and there's no way I'd want to go back working full time and staying late because I'd never see my baby. A lot of people around me have gone into management - but that's never been my thing; I'm in a very large organisation and the amount of sucking up to middle management have to do is unbelievable, plus it involves a lot of "networking" down the pub with the boys at lunchtimes and evenings which is not really compatible with being a Mum.
So I'm really wondering where the heck I go from here? I would love to find something else to do but I've being doing IT for so long I wouldn't know what to do. Are there any others out there who have been in my shoes? I am really confused!

[PurpleKate]

I've been in IT for 20 odd years (including 2 lots of maternity leave), and I'm now 48. I've found moving from role to has helped keep it fresh for me. Development -> architecture -> development -> configuration management. I hate management as well.

The other thing I would say is that after 9 years of development, that as long as you are happy to keep your skills current, then actaully you would be providing much needed stability to any development team. The one thing about keen youngsters is that they have no idea how to build a production ready system. That's the benefit of experience.

So yes they may be willing to work longer hours but you and I are more productive in normal working hours. In fact I have never thought that working longer hours makes you a better developer - it just makes you a more tired one!

If you love it, stay with it. If not then move on.

Good luck.

[fretaway]

Thanks PurpleKate that's really useful to hear, what you say makes sense and I hope that other employers see things the same way. I'm happy to keep my skills up to date but making the move to a different company may be tricky as I think I would have to go back to full time to do that (I currently work 30 hours spread over 4.5 days).

Glad to know someone else doesn't like management too!

[theoptimist]

Im a developer, but don't feel the same about age, etc. I'm 40 and I'm aware of the recruitment process as I sometimes gave input to them. They just want people who have experience and for that experience to be recent and relevant.
But I agree it can be difficult to get work that is flexible and part time in that industry. I started full time in order to get my foot in the door, then asked to go part time.