I'm a trained accountant but was not able to break into the field when I got my degree at 37 due to two facts. #1 the companies I tried wanted females and especially not males over 25. #2 a little thing called the Vietnam Conflict (Harry Truman's and LBJ's money pit) kept me from going to college early enough. I should have stayed in the Corps since my job was so critical due to IQ(130) required, but as a married man, I tried to keep my family together. As to training in the military, my job was also controlled by the Fed who is the worst age discriminator in the Nation and gets away with it. As I was told by the "Simple" Service, "We (the government) make the laws but we don't have to abide by them" The field I was in in the Corps was changed from a highly school trained position to an OJT position by LBJ and military training, unless one carried extra points, was not a help. I am working part-time, freelance in a labor intensive industry at the age of practically 65 and now with the down turn, my $25, $37.50, and $50 dollar per hour job is only gleaning around 20k annually. Unlike the scum that would not pay their mortgages and reduced the value of my home with foreclosures in the neighborhood, I have been responsible and paid my debts not ony on time but ahead of time and now carry a 782 credit score, FOR WHAT? no bailout for high interest rates unless, as my mtg co has told me, I wait until my mtg is 90 days behind which at this point would be Feb of 2011. All I can do without going back to school, which I cannot afford, is continue to eat one meal per day, work every hour I can squeak out of the several companies I do work for, and hope that I die suddenly without a lingering illness that would put me on the streets under a bridge somewhere. I had to take SS early due to this situation but the $12,500 annually from that, before Jimmie Carter's taxes, only pays the mortgage. As to the reference to AARP, people forget that that organizatioon is run by 30 and 40 something liberals that have no idea what they are talking about. Now with BO's attempts, and he will continue to try, Veteran's health care will soon be a thing of the past. If people think that Fed Health Care will be so good, look at the VA farce and then make that judgement. The average citizen without military service thinks the VA is so great, then they can go in for an appointment and wait hours past the appointed time to see, not a Doc, but a PA or a nurse. As to disability benes that we worked for and put our lives on the line for, they are a joke until one reaches a 60% disability or better. My 20% that I have fought for now 42 years and just got(Jan 2009) is a ripping $243 per month and will probably not go higher because I bear the pain and continue to work in a job usually done by 20 to 40 year olds (and still outwork them).
D H of GA2:23PM March 26, 2009
My experience with people whom I've met in these fields fall primarily into 2 categories: youngins who went to school for their professions and have been at it 10 years or less OR oldies who were the early birds and stayed in the professions as these fields matured... these 55 and ups are looking to retire. That doesn't mean these fields are looking to replace the oldies with new start oldies with more health problems (thus more likely absences and less dependable) than the new college grads they can get for cheap who can work harder, faster, learn quicker and adapt faster than the oldies. I'm 59 and I'm told I look 15 years younger and except for regular daily back aches (due to osteoarthritis), I'm as fit as a 40 year old. I surmise most 60 year olds look their age. But I realize my time has past and employers prefer to hire the youngins with time to put in for the training they receive. And don't talk about your age - it's not a question they can ask during the hiring process. Instead, dye your hair, put on some face tightening lotion, moisturize your hands, wear appropriate job interview clothes - but more contemporary styling to emphasize youthfulness, and get plenty of sleep and drink your GERITOL before the job interviews. Acting youthful and energetic takes the focus off age... as in most things in life, it's the perception that mostly counts. Now, once you get hired is a different thing... can you keep up with them youngins? Or will you feel out of place and act like an ol' fart who the youngins will want to get rid of, or make your life difficult, raise your BP and give you a heart attack?
Tony Leeof CA3:28PM March 24, 2009
Even if you go back to college after retirement, it still costs money! Who is going to train you for veterinary medicine or human medicine for free? Lots to consider before taking a buyout package!
Christineof NY1:09AM March 16, 2009
I agree with Joanne of AZ and Murray of GA. This article mentions unrealistic employment opportunites for aging baby boomers. Definately a top 10 inclusion for the useless article category!
Pauliof MI11:33AM March 11, 2009
It was my understanding that age discrimination was agenst the law. But it looks like most companies pratice it on a regular basis. We need a place that looks into this pratice as it eats at the root of our society. With baby boomers hitting this age if they are left out of the work force all boomers will become a true burdin on our country. From my experence I have found the older workers are more decitated to their jobs and already have all the knoledge needed to do the jobs with out companies having to do all sorts of training. We need help!
R. M. Warrenof IN3:25PM March 09, 2009
Emily's definition of "hot" needs work. There is a serious shortage of veterinarians, but it is harder to get into 1 of the 26 veterinary medical schools than into regular medical school due to so few openings. You cannot practice veterinary medicine without a license. To get a job as a veterinary assistant at nearly minimum wage you need a veterinary technician (nurse) 2-year degree. So if you plan to do something "veterinary" go to a 10 week dog groomer class and work for tips.
Likewise "pharmacist", "registered nurse" "environmental scientist" "geoscientist" require specialized advanced degrees, as do "urveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists" and "post-secondary teachers" meaning college professors.
The artlcle should be titled "Go back to college for 2-4 years for a new degree to get 50% of the jobs that will hire older workers, or expect to make minimum wage as a ticket clerk or usher in a stadium part-time."
Joanneof AZ8:35AM February 26, 2009
for inclusion in the top 10 useless articles.
murray carvelof GA12:30PM February 19, 2009
Don't pay attention to the previous posts, Emily. From the tone of their writing, I would say they want you to DO the work for them also. LOL.
So, essilou and Fatesrider, did you notice the name of this magazine? US News and World Reports - not "Jobs for Dummies"
Blogs are supposed to be supportive responses. Please be polite when posting.
Tomof IL6:41PM January 31, 2009
Everyone in the USA speaks of innequalities and prejudices of all sorts. My experience is that any person 50+ has no chance in the job market. You list many options in your article, but forget the fact that most of these are the worst positions a senior citizen may have. Since I turned 55 I've been searching and applying for many positions including and not limited to maintenance (sweeping and mopping floors) to department management (handling large number of persons, as accostumed by serving this nation in the Army. I have an MA, plenty of MGNT experience, can pick up the ball and go, and get results (10%+) on the bottom line. On the first choises I was graded as being over qualified and, on the latter, I was simply ignored. Out of over 10,000 applications in two years I got all "over qualified letters" and about MNGT got about six replies. Age discrimination is broadly and openly done in this country and all the hiring manager need say, to cove his/her AXX, is that a better qualified person has been chosen. A person that only beat me in a double digit number called age. Seniors are looked upon as a menace to society and almost always gets the worst of the worst in terms of jobs. You mention veterinarian. Unless the person has a degree in such field he will simply clean the dogs and the office or simply handle the paper work. Thank you anyway, but redoing a résumé will never wipe out age discrimination in this Great Nation. Employers prefer to hire those that will give them many years of service and not an old person that will not be able 100%. At least that is what they think. But reality is that seniors are more stable and responsible that any young person they can hire.
Cosme Colonof FL3:29PM January 27, 2009
I have to agree with the previous 3 commentators. Respectively.
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D H of GA 2:23PM March 26, 2009
Tony Lee of CA 3:28PM March 24, 2009
Christine of NY 1:09AM March 16, 2009
Pauli of MI 11:33AM March 11, 2009
R. M. Warren of IN 3:25PM March 09, 2009
Joanne of AZ 8:35AM February 26, 2009
murray carvel of GA 12:30PM February 19, 2009
Tom of IL 6:41PM January 31, 2009
Cosme Colon of FL 3:29PM January 27, 2009
av of TX 1:52PM January 27, 2009