In my ten years as a software engineer, I’ve discovered a bizarre trend that smooth projects often get less recognition than chaotic ones. It may be due to a perception that it must have been an easy project if it was so smooth. On the other hand, projects with multiple day follows, dramatic reverts, etc get a ton more visibility. Have others seen this on their organization?

Is anyone else nervous about getting pushed out of tech as you age? I love software engineering and can’t imagine doing anything else, but I worry the industry won't love me back in ten or fifteen years. Is this a realistic fear, or is it just standard mid-career anxiety?

Is there anyone else who experiences age-based discrimination at work? I'm in my mid-20s, and have been working with seniors who think I'm still too junior to understand complex tasks. I definitely have the expertise, but I can't seem to change their perception. How can I convince others that my skill level is more important than my age?

My manager keeps pressuring me to go for a promotion, but the payoff is terrible. I was passed over last year, so now I feel good about my decision to resist. It's basically endless paperwork and corporate politics for a tiny bump in salary. I'd much rather continue writing code remotely, do my job, and stay under the radar. Is it okay to resist the push to move up?

I'm excited about an offer I have from a small startup, but I’m a little nervous about the risk. Do you think working at one helps your career down the road, or is it better to stay somewhere more stable?