Accepting What You Can't Change
Age discrimination--the problems of our time. You hit 50-something and you become the invisible person. Employers don't want you. Here's the thing. Now I know why.
You see I was blessed and got a permanent job. I came in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and sat among those nearly 40 years younger than me. No one. And I mean no one comes close to my nearly 58 years. I listened with a smile on my face when a 29 year old in my training class proclaimed how the young group around her would be shocked to find out how hard it was to get to her age. She had aches and pains, she said and the weight was harder to take off.
Now for the hard part of what I've gone through in the weeks I decided to come out of semi-retirement and cast out into the deep and accept this job which has all sorts of potential. I have vision, hearing, and other physical problems. I take medication that affects your ability to concentrate. Nevertheless I'd hoped to get around these problems and learn the required skills like the twenty year olds. I hadn't planned a long careeer. Just a few years. Something to do besides sitting home, I figured. Thing is we older ones have lots to offer. We're more likely to stick with a job. We have a maturity that helps us get through things. We are survivors because we've weathered the storms and are still here.
But can we do things and learn things as quickly as we once did? No. Does it matter that we're a little slower? Well, that's the question. Because if you do decide to take a job where everyone is younger, you're going to be compared to them. You're going to have to be just as good as them, just as quick as them. And let's face it--if you've got any sort of physical thing going on as most of the 50+ crowd usually does--you're going to struggle.
So here I am less than a month into this training program and I'm going to have to realize that I'm not as quick on a computer as the youngsters in the class. Sure, I can use one for the things I need. And I can impress the heck outta an 80 year old. But learn the new skills while moving faster than a locomotive is just not going to happen. Truth of the matter, I can be just as good as any twenty year old, but I'm going to need more time to get there. Time in which employers are just not willing to allow.
This is me going back into retirement.
You see I was blessed and got a permanent job. I came in bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and sat among those nearly 40 years younger than me. No one. And I mean no one comes close to my nearly 58 years. I listened with a smile on my face when a 29 year old in my training class proclaimed how the young group around her would be shocked to find out how hard it was to get to her age. She had aches and pains, she said and the weight was harder to take off.
Now for the hard part of what I've gone through in the weeks I decided to come out of semi-retirement and cast out into the deep and accept this job which has all sorts of potential. I have vision, hearing, and other physical problems. I take medication that affects your ability to concentrate. Nevertheless I'd hoped to get around these problems and learn the required skills like the twenty year olds. I hadn't planned a long careeer. Just a few years. Something to do besides sitting home, I figured. Thing is we older ones have lots to offer. We're more likely to stick with a job. We have a maturity that helps us get through things. We are survivors because we've weathered the storms and are still here.
But can we do things and learn things as quickly as we once did? No. Does it matter that we're a little slower? Well, that's the question. Because if you do decide to take a job where everyone is younger, you're going to be compared to them. You're going to have to be just as good as them, just as quick as them. And let's face it--if you've got any sort of physical thing going on as most of the 50+ crowd usually does--you're going to struggle.
So here I am less than a month into this training program and I'm going to have to realize that I'm not as quick on a computer as the youngsters in the class. Sure, I can use one for the things I need. And I can impress the heck outta an 80 year old. But learn the new skills while moving faster than a locomotive is just not going to happen. Truth of the matter, I can be just as good as any twenty year old, but I'm going to need more time to get there. Time in which employers are just not willing to allow.
This is me going back into retirement.
Replies
I\'m sorry to read this. Such a pity that they can\'t see the benefits they\'re missing out on.
So you gave up? That sucks! Sorry you felt that way jobs are hard to find.
I\'m still there but looking for something that will work better for me. Frankly I knew this could be a problem when I took it. I don\'t want to quit as I did that earlier this year with another job.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do. We 50 somethings still have lots to give. I was offered a job, but enjoy my retirement too much and treasure keeping my grandson whenever I can.
If you want a job I wish you success In finding one you can enjoy. I was fortunate enough to get an early retirement and am not disabled and on SS. If I still had to work I\'d be in a nut ward.
I was discriminated at 28 years old...so yep, I understand being older...just do your best and keep at it.....