CollabTalk Podcast: Veteran Engineers Aren’t Done Yet – They’re Just Getting Started

This month, I joined Christian Buckley on the CollabTalk Podcast (Episode 177) to explore a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: how the tech industry’s obsession with youth and speed is undermining code quality, product usability, and mentorship. As a result, veteran software engineers are increasingly being sidelined—either excluded from key decisions or laid off—due to outdated cost assumptions and pervasive cultural bias.

CollabTalk Podcast | Episode 177 with David McCarter

I had a fantastic time discussing this important issue with Christian. What struck me most is how few experienced engineers are speaking up or offering guidance about what happens in the second half of a tech career. It’s a conversation we need to have—early and often. I encourage engineers at every level to check out this episode. Don’t wait until career challenges hit you—prepare now.

This conversation builds on ideas I explored in two recent articles and ties directly into the advice I share in my book, Rock Your Career: Surviving the Technical Interview, available now on Amazon. Whether you’re climbing the ladder or trying to stay on it, this is information you can’t afford to ignore.

The Untapped Power of Veteran Engineers: Why Companies Are Overlooking Their Most Valuable Assets – Part 1

The Untapped Power of Veteran Engineers: Why Companies Are Overlooking Their Most Valuable Assets – Part 2