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I should be retiring from the IT field next July after 35 years in it, which makes me something of an eyewitness for the history of the thing since before the Apple was a gleam in Steve Wozniak's eye (there was another Steve as well, IIRC, name began with a J...nope, can't remember. Probably never amounted to much).

Yes, ageism is real. But there is an advantage to a track record that tends to offset it, depending on the job you're applying for. So stay current and occasionally lay a bet on the industry's direction and you'll be fine. Fact is, a 45-year-old applying for an entry-level programmer position is at a significant disadvantage, not always fairly but that's the way it is.

To be blunt, young managers can be reluctant to hire reports that are significantly older. That's the manager's problem, but if it results in no interview for the older applicant it's his or her problem as well. Only one of the two can do anything about it. That's the way that is, as well.

It's been a wonderful ride but I'm ready for something else. And my own last year has been, in my boss's terms, a "brain suck". I do believe I've written more documentation in that time than in the last I don't know how many. By the time my brain is empty I'll be ready to move on. But I've got 'em fooled - that happened ten years ago. :-)