In the companies I’ve worked in you always see lots of young people, but very few older people (old being age 40+). What happens if you don’t make it to the top? Where do old people go? Serious question – I’m not sure what lies around the corner…

Here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan's_Run_(film)

Waiting in anticipation for some words from BEP on this.He's old :-) Personally, it's a sad day when people define over 40 as old in my opinion. To be honest I think you'll find many contracting - as to do this credibly you need a good CV with plenty of experience which you should have in abundance over 40 - (at least I hope so when I finally get there :-) )DC

Actually all those over 40 are rounded up late at night and led away to a secret location, reprocessed and emerge as successful independent entrepreneurs as most clients enjoyed listening to them, it offered some color to a drab environment where 'grunts' and "high flyers" simply came and went, offering thoughts but no real understanding of the problems, based on the data plugged into the latest modelsI wonder where the under 40 actually goes and sleeps? They would not be welcome under my over 40 Arch

Oh I think you'll find they're still there... The thing is, once you get to that age you tend to lose the desire to work long hours to impress people. So at 9pm you'll find lots of the young ones in the office but far far fewer of the oldies (the exception mostly being the middle managers who are desperate for a promotion because they want more dosh). When you get to my age, you tend to try and get out by 5.00 every night...

Geez BEP! What are you doing, still in the office at 5pm?!?!

Its not that complicated! Look on LinkedIn - use the search function and search for "Past Company" = "insert company names"The travel, lifestyle and path to partner aspect of consultancy means that few people put up with cr@p once they realise they are not going to make partner. They mainly move to clients, professional service arms of tech companies, etc.Quite a few of them spend their days in the park drinking Diamond White...

They keep ponytails and become pornstars.

Or decide they will be the ones to crack the lucrative consulting by post market in the Ukraine.