too old

[barry glisson]

just learned im being downsized next week.do you think i should try to retrain in the it field? im 59 would any one hire me at that age or do they want 22 year olds? barry

[seti]

I'm sorry to hear that Barry http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

[mbarn]

I say go for it Barry!!

[Joel Kleppinger]

Keep in mind the nature of the Internet. No one can see you, and therefore your age is much less of an issue. If you can do something over the net, especially writing, then it doesn't matter how old you are. Believe me, here at SysOpt, a couple people are definitely not younger than 22, though they look it (gotta stay on their good side http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif).

Age is simply a non-factor in this day and age. If you can get the work done, then the power is in your hands. The only thing is you'll have to train yourself because the accounting depts at a job will be MUCH less likely to buy education for you because they perceive a smaller ROI. But spending time to learn new things and applications is NEVER a waste.

[Ed_S]

Joel, although you're right about companies percieving a smaller return on investment, in reality isn't a younger person more likely to "jump ship" than an older person?
Folks in their 40's & 50's are generally more settled than those just starting out, and less inclined to make moves.

Training someone aged 59 so he can work for 6 to 10 years before retiring seems like a better investment than to train someone aged 22 so he can work for 2 ro 3 yrs before taking his education (and your info) to a competitor.

Barry, breaking into any new field would be tough. Hope that argument I just gave helps if needed at some point!
BTW, I'm 41 http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

Ed

[alpha]

Age does not matter. Rich placed me at 18 years old when I said I was young - he was astounded to find out that I was 13! If your work is youthful, then you are too. It's the same with music.

[shadow]

Barry, I'm 40 and was downsized after 9 years with a company. I posted today here about MSCE training which belive I will be going through with starting May 1st, with financial help from a gov't retraining program. With that kind of help I'd be crazy not to go thru with it. It means taking a year off of earning an income but in the end I think it will be for the better.
And as far as us oldies getting hired, talk to any employer about what they value, most likely they will say stability, punctuality, a good work history, people skills, use of logic, experience. These are things you have over younger people. I am very optimistic that with MSCE training added to my other skills and experience (electronics, customer service) I will find work in the IT field with a company who values a mature worker. I read a stat the other day and dont quote me but it was something like...the IT industry in the next 10 years will require twice as many people as the colleges can put out. So go for it, learn all you can while you can! If you need a study buddy, let me know!
Pat

[narayan]

Sorry to hear. Keep the faith. Do you know the story of Lucent Technologies? The people who started that were "let go" by AT&T. Also, at my school, a 60-some year old woman graduated with a degree in programming!

[This message has been edited by narayan (edited 03-25-2000).]

[Emc2]

It's rumored that the best internet hackers are senior citizens. Got that off of a chat room. The point is, no one knows who you are unless you tell them.

[barry glisson]

i have decided to go for it. i just read the post from smurfin to shadow and i think ill try that aproach. thanks to everyone for your input. barry

[wyvrn]

Good for you! Make your age an asset, not a liability.

[barry glisson]

i tried retiring 3 years ago that lasted about 2 months.had to go back to work or go nuts.my wife says i wouldnt have to go very far to do that. i guess i was just depressed because its the first time in my life i have ever left a job involuntarily. barry

[shadow]

I know how you feel Barry...I've always left the jobs to go to another job. This time it left me first. I wouldn't have believed it a year ago if someone had told me I'd feel like this. But live thru it and we find out how depressing and stressful losing a job can really be. It's been hard on the whole family and marital situation but luckily we are a strong couple and survivors.

PW

[U-96]

Shadow point about assisted training is a valuable one - it is quite possible that you may be able to financial assistance with re-training (night school or day release) if you can't find an employer willing to do it.
I.T. is all the rage for educational funding, so there could be lots of stuff out there to choose from.
Good luck!

U-96

[Richard_Cranium72]

Barry, you're no where near the too old point, age wise anyway.. At my job we had a technician from Westinghouse, Joe Deconda, this guy is about 80. He's so bright it's scary, he knows more about Turbines that most Turbo-Techs will ever learn.. This guy can observe, listen, check a few charts, sniff the air a few times and come up with solutions that are sometimes ridiculed by our management cause they want to be seen as the HERO.. I personally prefer not to have to worry about someones intent when we get a "new hire" , what is your job speciality? It's been "known" in industry for a few years that experience takes precedence over simple education.. lotsa luck, DrVette

[Bleeding Edge]

you still have things to do, barry glisson
your life isn't over yet.
you'll do what you'll do


By the way, young alpha...

..everything matters

-B.E.

[shadow]

Barry, it's great to be Canadian. I have just been approved to be funded by the gov't for tuition and UI while I attend. Tuition is $14,000 and max. UI is $420/week or so. Get to your UI office and see a councellor asap. If they see you as a good risk, you'll get the sponsorship. The coffers are full of cash for retraining benefits here in Canada so check it out. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Soon there will be 2 more talented and life experienced IT pros to hit the streets.

[barry glisson]

looks like it will be three. two canadians and one floridian. i dont know what kind of benefits i can get from unemployment, i have never been unemployed. i will go down monday and file.hopefully they will have some sort of program i can qualify for. perhaps we can get an online class going for mutual help and support. any volunteer instructors? remember to smile it makes people wonder what you are up to. barry

[This message has been edited by barry glisson (edited 04-02-2000).]

[shadow]

That is good advice which I will try to remember.
Sorry Barry, http://www.sysopt.com/forum/redface.gif I thought you were Canadian for some reason, must have mixed you up with someone else, but do check out the gov't retraining programs in your area.
PW

[cyclone2]

Once everyone has got some training we can get together and start up a new company. Hmmm lets call it MACROSOFT. lol ha

[chuckiechan]

One of the problems is that managers are less inclined to hire someone older than they are. This is a silent objection you must overcome.
I would recommed that you address this during an interview to get them to say "I don't have a problem with age" on the record and in their mind for the duration of the interview.
Also, be up front by saying that you have no problem working for a boss who is your junior. As you are telling them "how it is", you are establishing a subtle dominance over them, making them more inclined to pass you to the next interviewer...(who is probably older than they are)...

My point is, if you choose not to acknowledge age as a factor you are going in limp-wristed and undermotivated. Age is a factor it has its pluses and minuses. It is your job to accept this and concentrate on the interview by disarming the interviewer. If he can remain silent about your age, he can look the other way about your qualifications, too. Don't let him control your opinion of yourself!!


Good Luck..and GO GET 'EM!!

[Brangwen]

Barry, after reading all of the above, I felt compelled to write as well. I graduated from a law school in Boston in '86. A 63 year old graduate of the same school just passed the Bar and has hung up her shingle.

Best of luck.

Brangwen

[welsh wizard]

Man it don't make didly squat diff what age you are online, this board has memebers that are 12 with a head on them of a 40 year old, and theres others from the Rock an Roll days who are 12, all that matters is how old you think you are, plenty of ops out there, and not all employers think you have to be 21 to be employable, theres plenty of Old Fa*ts like us who are happy when some one there own age comes for a job, that way we don't feel so much like T-Rex dead and buried.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
WW

[barry glisson]

I said I would update so here goes. Through the workers information act I have been granted a full scholarship for my as degree and MCSE certs I start class in jan.2001 graduate in dec. 2003. I'm so excited I could stay up for a week. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif barry

[randy48]

Congrats Barry! You're never too old! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[socalgal]

Wow! That's great news, Barry http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Congrats!!!
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Hmmm, I think I'll check if that Worker Info Act would apply to me... I've never heard of it.

[barry glisson]

Some of the WIA requirements are drawing unemployment,letter from employer saying you were downsized,have an ocupation that is not in demand or that you can no longer do,cannot have an AS degree,document 3 job aplications per week,attend a bunch of lectures,time it just rite. I was cut from the program once because they ran out of money. I asked the program director how a program could be broke after only 6 weeks a month later I was called back. I held my breath until I had a reciept from the admissions office for my first semester. This is a combined federal state program it is only available in 5 states at this time,it is run in Fla. by an aerospase company. I don't know why it is done like this at this point I am not going to rock the boat. I can't retire for 5 years and really have no plans to retire then I have over $50,000.00 worth of dr. bills I have to pay off. so I can't die or retire. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif barry

[jad1097]

Congrats Barry. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/biggrin.gif

[Mr_Wobble]

Good luck with your re-training.
I've decided to go back to college and University to study Computer Science with a view to programming. I'm 33. Not old, but not young in the computing World.
In College, I'm the eldest in my Computing class. All the rest are still in their teens, and I'm over twice the age of a few of them. But it's not putting me off. There is age discrimination out there, but there's also going to be a huge demand for computing staff in all sorts of companies over the next few years. The shortage is only just starting.
When I attended the University open day a couple of weeks ago I was astounded to find the Computing Science lecture theatre not even half full, yet the Psychology lecture theatre next door was packed, with people standing in the aisles. Are that few people taking up Computer Science? I hope so, because that means I'm doing the right thing now! It may take me this year at college, and perhaps a further year of college if I'm not accepted for University this year, and then a further 3 or 4 years of University, but if I'm right then it'll be more than worth it. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif
When phoning up about the courses I was advised to apply late for a place by one of the tutors. They have that many places available that anyone can apply late!
The entry requirements are dropping too. From next year, especially for the required Maths grade.
With the dropping of entry requirement grades (especially for mature students), plenty of places available, and a forecast shortage of IT staff and programmers, I know this is the right course for me to take. I hope it is for you too. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Have Fun!

Mr_Wobble http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[wyvrn]

Woowoo rock on !

[Ted61]

All right barry! Take those courses. If you are really into computers a lot of dedication to your resume and a whole lot of dtermination can land you a part time job someplace.

Good Luck!

Ted

[krusty the klown]

Barry, I was going to suggest that you try and screw them for as much redundancy as you can, or if were staying with that company then do so and make as big a pain in the @rse of yourself as you possibly can so they give you early retirement, a golden handshake to keep you sweet and a fat pension enhancement..... preferably after a good period of long term sickness at their expense during which you can broaden your knowledge of computer related stuff. Well, it seems to work within *ahem* a large public health service in the UK *ahem* mentioning no names, of course!

........but things seem to have worked out OK for you! Good Luck! <IMG SRC="http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net5/a_smil08.gif" border=0>

[skai]

Barry these companies are signing their own death warrants!Guys like you and me ,both in the auto industry have knowledge that can only be passed on "on the job".I know you have been at it for a long time so have I {36 yrs on and off}.We get some old tractor motor in the young guys say, hey Pete you know what this is?Use your computer Knowledge to maybe make a CD with specs and tips for some of those oddball mechanical things you have overcome in your job . I know how you feel our company is reducing staff too, the shareholders want bigger profit at any cost ,and so good luck I reckon a man who works with his hands can do any job if he applies himself Regards skai