Tech Industry's Ageism: A Career Crisis for Workers Over 35

The tech industry's strict recruitment criteria have resulted in a career crisis for internet workers aged 35 and over. Job insecurity is prevalent due to the fast-paced growth and unstable industry environment of internet companies. Many senior employees face exclusion from job opportunities, and those who manage to secure employment may experience salary and rank regression. This '35-year-old' career crisis is a result of the perception that younger workers are more cost-effective and easier to manage. According to a report published by China's Maimai Data Research Institute in 2021, the average age of employees at the top 20 internet companies in China is 29.6, with the lowest average age at ByteDance and Pinduoduo. However, there is a perception that the actual situation is not as dire as portrayed on social media, as older employees usually find a way out before the company announces layoffs. While eliminating age discrimination in the workplace has become a hot topic, the career anxiety of tech employees mainly needs to be overcome through personal efforts such as continuous learning and improving professional skills.