My issue isn't with their passion or desire; that's great. But I'm hiring people based on talent, not age or even enthusiasm, and I question the intent/presumption in citing that attribute alone before even seeing their work. It's the same argument about the worth of college [in certain fields]; does it really matter in the context of the role?
I've also seen 25 year olds use it to describe themselves, so at what point are you still "young"?
I'd assume this is the same reason people don't like seeing ages in ShowHNs, because it implies that it's some sort of accomplishment rather than simply a fact. I enjoy seeing pet projects "kids" do, and a lot of ShowHNs are really just advertising and attempts to get some users, when usually most of the younger audience is just getting their work in front of real developers to get a feel for the quality, usefulness and receive general advice on how to do better. It boils down to - are you being sold on a product or are you being asked for a critique?
My opinion only comes from my experience; I started working at 15 when my vocational school realized that I was beyond their training and put me up for work-based learning. Most of the adults I interacted with in the spaces I worked in (both design and development) did not take me seriously despite my work ethic, my skills, and my enthusiasm. I begged to be in client meetings and was denied because "they wanted the clients to take them seriously", I offered faster solutions to the roundabout ways we were doing certain things and was patted on the head and told to stick to my duties. My genuine interest into the sales and communication sides of the businesseses were brushed off.
I didn't mention it in the previous post, but I would also say my gender had a lot to do with it. While I couldn't be in client meetings, I was asked to come in an hour early to make the 'boys' coffee. I wouldn't be interacting with clients at all, but I was expected to wear skirts.
There's also a lot of kids that dial it in, so it's tough to tell someone that they should hire more fresh faces when you've gotta weigh who is there for the experience vs. who is there for the paycheck.
These idiots are widespread throughout business. And with younger employees, it is often assumed they will not stick around (no family to support, incentives to travel) so how much of your time do you want to devote to building them up if they're just going to take that knowledge elsewhere?
I've also seen 25 year olds use it to describe themselves, so at what point are you still "young"?
I'd assume this is the same reason people don't like seeing ages in ShowHNs, because it implies that it's some sort of accomplishment rather than simply a fact. I enjoy seeing pet projects "kids" do, and a lot of ShowHNs are really just advertising and attempts to get some users, when usually most of the younger audience is just getting their work in front of real developers to get a feel for the quality, usefulness and receive general advice on how to do better. It boils down to - are you being sold on a product or are you being asked for a critique?
My opinion only comes from my experience; I started working at 15 when my vocational school realized that I was beyond their training and put me up for work-based learning. Most of the adults I interacted with in the spaces I worked in (both design and development) did not take me seriously despite my work ethic, my skills, and my enthusiasm. I begged to be in client meetings and was denied because "they wanted the clients to take them seriously", I offered faster solutions to the roundabout ways we were doing certain things and was patted on the head and told to stick to my duties. My genuine interest into the sales and communication sides of the businesseses were brushed off.
I didn't mention it in the previous post, but I would also say my gender had a lot to do with it. While I couldn't be in client meetings, I was asked to come in an hour early to make the 'boys' coffee. I wouldn't be interacting with clients at all, but I was expected to wear skirts.
There's also a lot of kids that dial it in, so it's tough to tell someone that they should hire more fresh faces when you've gotta weigh who is there for the experience vs. who is there for the paycheck.