Helen Hegelheimer says:

I listened to Vivek Wadhwa’s discussion regarding elitism in Silicon Valley. I’ve worked in Silicon Valley since the early ’70 and like to say that I grew up with the valley’s technology. I am a female approaching my 7th decade.

I have long wondered why companies have not seen the value in my generation. Yes, I am aware that the valley is full of sexism and ageism … most company’s still believe the best candidate for any position is “a single male 25 year old with 10 years of experience.” There is a whole generation of Silicon Valley workers, like me, who are either retired or contract/consult on the side. We make great mentors and are willing to share all the lessons we have learned over the decades in Silicon Valley.

My generation were raised by depression era parents who instilled in us their work ethic. “Take pride in your work and if you’re going to do it, do it right”. We never learned the elitism that is so prevalent with today’s Silicon Valley workers and “movers and shakers”. There seems to be many companies, these days, without adult supervision! Mr. Wadhwa suggested that if only women were on the board, these boys clubs would not be allowed to exist. I don’t believe adding a female to a board would change anything.

What the valley needs is to learn ethics… work ethics and personal ethics. What companies should do is hire a few folks “of a certain age” so that workers can “see” what employee ethics “looks” like. Everyone needs a model … too many companies, along with their board of directors, are without any ethical model to keep them in line. Folks of my generation are no longer impressed by a title, money, or perceived power … we’d make great models!

BTW, pay no mind to Perkins … he’s long been a lost cause.

Regards

Helen Hegelheimer