if you're 60+, what do you do for work?

[Anonymous]

I woke up in the middle of the night last night, suddenly having a panic attack that while I like the job I'm in now - I'm 50 - and can imagine doing it another 5 or so years, it's hard to imagine doing this work into my 60s. I'm in a good job at a nonprofit - but people here skew young young young. That's just one of the reasons.

Not that I am going to take over what you're doing - but it did get me wondering what people who are 60+ are doing for work now - and how you feel about your job and your coworkers. Do you feel good about where you are professionally?

[Anonymous]

The stark reality is that employment past age 50 is difficult and employment past 60 is a depressing exercise in futility.

Ageism is real and older workers simply are not welcome in the workplace. Very rarely are your skills and experience viewed as assets. In general, younger workers simply don't want you around - and when they are in leadership positions you won't even get interviewed, let alone hired.

[Anonymous]

My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Your husband is a man, obviously. The ageism that woman face is a thousandfold more. Rather like black women face significantly more issues than white men.

There are plenty of studies out there that support this.

[Anonymous]

Same thing I did at 40, which is the same thing I did at age 25. I feel fine about my job. I made peace with how far I could get professionally decades ago.

[Anonymous]

I am on the faculty of a medical school. I have much less energy now, and patience for the younger generation of students (many if whom are whiney and entitled).

[Anonymous]

I work at a nonprofit. We have several people over 60 in our department of 18 people. One is a web designer, one is a middle manager, and one is executive level. The web designer (a woman) is probably the best of the three at her job. I respect her tremendously for gaining the technology skills!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Your husband is a man, obviously. The ageism that woman face is a thousandfold more. Rather like black women face significantly more issues than white men.

There are plenty of studies out there that support this.

NP.

I'm in biotech and we have plenty of men and women in their 60s. There is no cliff here. If you have the knowledge and skill you are valuable. Our CEO is over 60 and female.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Your husband is a man, obviously. The ageism that woman face is a thousandfold more. Rather like black women face significantly more issues than white men.

There are plenty of studies out there that support this.

NP.

I'm in biotech and we have plenty of men and women in their 60s. There is no cliff here. If you have the knowledge and skill you are valuable. Our CEO is over 60 and female.

And she's not white.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Your husband is a man, obviously. The ageism that woman face is a thousandfold more. Rather like black women face significantly more issues than white men.

There are plenty of studies out there that support this.

NP.

I'm in biotech and we have plenty of men and women in their 60s. There is no cliff here. If you have the knowledge and skill you are valuable. Our CEO is over 60 and female.

Medicine is famously not ageist, and I think that effect bleeds into biotech where many are trained in medicine.

[Anonymous]

I am 62. In a way easier when you are older.

Just look cool and act young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is 60 and works for a biotech start-up. He brings the necessary experience and troubleshooting expertise.

Your husband is a man, obviously. The ageism that woman face is a thousandfold more. Rather like black women face significantly more issues than white men.

There are plenty of studies out there that support this.

IDK, we have plenty of 60+ POC men/women in my program. They are doing more than fine.

[Anonymous]

Age is not the issue it is being stagnant that is issue.

My BIL who is only 57 just go after a career in mortgages. The whole mortgage industry dead.

His LinkedIn is half empty and handful of clients connections and his resume look 👀 is like crap. He is slowly getting stink of unemployment on him.

Older people tend to think they can ride it out and often they end up like him

[Anonymous]

Yea, both my spouse and I work I tech. I'm 53; spouse is 59. We are planning to retire in 2 years. Ageism is definitely real.

PSA to younger people: We never thought ageism would hit us, either.

[Anonymous]

DH is 65. He's a gov lawyer in an SES position. He absolutely loves it and has for many years and doesn't have plans to retire even though he's eligible.

I am 53 and I write and work with med students (and used to practice law). I imagine I'll be doing something else in my 60s, but I change up careers every decade or so--it is just who I am.