I don't believe that employers hire older folks in this day and age. In my line of work as a legal secretary, whent he economy goes bad the first thing law firms do is to give the older secretaries the boot and I mean, 40+ and older. And yes, the biggest offenders are law firms. I had worked at big law firms in San Francisco since I was in my 20s and had seen my share of scare for my older colleagues who were immediately offered a retirement package when the tough gets going. And for myself who is in her late 40s and currently unemployed, I am very scared that I will never get a job as a legal secretary ever again. Those bloody, greedy lawyers.
Venus Pilatusof CA10:03PM July 14, 2010
Harry Balls of WI (Hopefully not his real name!) said that teachers are getting less. I just talked to a friend that works as a college teacher. He makes over $70,000/yr and only works 20ish hrs per week. That's a lot more than I make as an accountant and I have to work full time plus.
Bobbieof CA4:41PM May 20, 2010
Has anyone wondered why teaching is always at the top of these types of stories? Everytime I look in the paper it states how teachers are getting paid less and getting laid off due to financial considerations.
This story is a crock.
Harry Ballsof WI7:34PM May 19, 2010
To Linda Cathcart of AZ - Not all people ache all over and cannot stand up on their feet all day. You are what you think - older people ARE living longer and working at their passion longer. Dont DISCOURAGE others from doing the same. If you feel you need to retire - than have a good retirement. Just hope you have the finances to do the things you need to do to keep yourself from dying from boredom!
Teacherof IL1:04PM May 19, 2010
Teaching may not be as physically challenging as some of the other occupations you mention, but it is very, very stressful. At this point in our society, students and parents have little responsibility for what learning occurs. As a teacher, you are responsible for whether a student learns and can pass a high-stakes test. It doesn't matter if the student can't read well, takes drugs, doesn't come to class, is defiant and doesn't want to participate in your lesson plan because learning isn't "fun." There are some great students, too, but we are seeing that it is becoming more difficult to teach each year. Most of the teachers we know are counting the days until they can retire.
I also wonder about where this data is coming from that says that there are going to be lots of jobs in education. In our urban Texas region, a number of school districts are in financial trouble and there are hiring freezes. Unless the economy improves, I think a number of education jobs will disappear. This means that class sizes will rise and it will be even more difficult to teach these large classes with fewer supplies.
Also, in education as in other fields, we know many people who are NOT in great health. This includes some younger workers as well as many people in their sixties. There are many, many people who can't physically do the jobs you are writing about. I am in good health at 53, but I know that I can't do the heavy lifting I used to do -- and some of the health professions are pretty physical. By age 65, I think that I will definitely be ready to retire -- if I can afford to.
TexasDoubterof TX1:59PM May 16, 2010
Go to YouTube, search word: FedEx Inhumane Treatment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ynb...
JCof KY10:02AM April 30, 2010
Are you insane? This was clearly written by someone in their 20's who isn't aching all over every day just from still being alive. Nursing? Lifting patients? Teaching? On my feet?
Home health aides? When I could use one myself? Who thinks this stuff up?
By the way, Christine - I worked 20 + years with juvenile delinquents - if you love kids, juvenile delinquents are loveable too. If you fear them, they are fearsome. Think about it carefully.
Linda Cathcartof AZ3:49PM April 27, 2010
This article must have been written by someone with a wild imagination in about an hour. Nothing realistic or plausible.
BK Greenof LA1:55PM April 24, 2010
I am 48 years of age and i have acquired my associates degree, I am in a career change. at this age I am a little tepid about changing careers, I have been in the retail field almost all my life, now my desire is criminal justice, but dealing with juveniles. any thoughts about this?
christine kingof MI7:16AM April 16, 2010
Education is in crisis mode, with localities laying off teachers by the hundreds due to budget cuts. I don't understand how an increasing need for teachers is in the mix. ...but that said, if the projection is true, I hope only dedicated and flexible people decide to come into the teaching profession. As a veteran teacher, I know the classroom looks easy from the outside looking in, but retired workers need to brace themselves for the reality of the job on the inside. It's brutal, demanding, and downright hard! Career-switchers (people who come into teaching as a 2nd or 3rd career without a teaching degree or full teacher training) are often stunned to find their "content knowledge" is not enough to help them survive the multi-faceted demands of teaching, reaching, and engaging a young, digital generation.
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Venus Pilatus of CA 10:03PM July 14, 2010
Bobbie of CA 4:41PM May 20, 2010
Harry Balls of WI 7:34PM May 19, 2010
Teacher of IL 1:04PM May 19, 2010
TexasDoubter of TX 1:59PM May 16, 2010
JC of KY 10:02AM April 30, 2010
Linda Cathcart of AZ 3:49PM April 27, 2010
BK Green of LA 1:55PM April 24, 2010
christine king of MI 7:16AM April 16, 2010
Sharon Elin of VA 8:06AM April 15, 2010