Typical American Career path - esp after 50
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Anonymous
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I’m keenly aware of ageism - and how it intersects with misogyny -in the workplace. I’m 38. I’m a manager working with executives and plan to persistently pursue the executive level, where I expect I can be - and will have the stamina to maintain - until I’m 55 or so. Pre-corporate I was a yoga teacher, and plan to open a studio a year or two after retirement from corporate, but frankly my goal is to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible so I don’t have to worry (as much) about the future.
It’s also helpful that my DH is a senior IC with a very niche tech skill and will always have employment - he makes in the lower 200s and might top out around 300. Which is good. But I want to make really, really big money. As I see it, 10-15 years of balls to the wall work is worth being able to finance college, retirement, down payments for kids etc. (No family money, no inheritance.) All of that said, it is weird and f***ed up how prevalent ageism is in America and how little we do to protect ourselves; how much power we cede to “the man.” Maybe with the agitation and machinations of Gen Z - who literally could NOT care less - these crappy workplace practices will change. But I am not too optimistic. I am in great health, too, as is my husband, and our grandparents and great-grandparents live(d) into their 90s/early 100s. That’s a lot of years to finance! |
Anonymous
Starting your own business is likely more work and risk than just shooting for executive level? Only 25% of small businesses make it past 10 years. Sure if you have a high earning spouse and it’s just a way to supplement and you don’t need benefits, but if it’s primary it’s hard to argue that is the best path unless you have some fast track market identified. |
Anonymous
Fact of Life the US Corporate world is no different that the life of a basketball player. Everyone places basketball up to middle school, then you have to make JV team some dont make it, then you have to make varsity, some dont make it, then you have to make a college team most dont make it then you have to make NBA extremely few make it. Once you make NBA by 35 you are most likely retired. Only best of best make it past 35. The NBA is a much speeded up version of work force. But 20-30 is middle school, 30-35 is JV, 35-45 is college ball, 45-55 is NBA and 55 plus is where the very very best players are still in the game. It is a pyramid approach where very few at the top. There are no 50 year old junior auditors in BIG, there are no Junior Investment bankers at 40, you have to keep moving up and that is hard. As less and less space at the top and once up there you can get pushed out and super hard. |
Anonymous
Yes, just go for government or healthcare, or open a business. |
Anonymous
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Family owned companies will hire you.
Work hourly jobs. |
Anonymous
My 50+ friend had job offers “cold” with two different employers. That is rare though. Overall, most I know got jobs through connections. |
Anonymous
Both of those kind of jobs generally pay far less than a corporate job. So basically you are forced to downshift around 50. |
Anonymous
What is your field? I’m curious who gets hired in government at 59+. |
Anonymous
| I started to worry about ageism at 40 and saved 50% or more of my salary over many years. |
Anonymous
I meant 50+. Sorry. |
Anonymous
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The problem is that many Americans 50+ didn't exercise the required financial discipline to maximize their investments starting in their 20s. They also didn't invest in themselves by taking on stretch projects, continuing their education throughout their careers, and constantly demonstrating their value to others.
Now some would say that all is just "living to work". No, it's not. It's being vigilant and looking out for yourself instead of relying on others to look out for you. Newsflash - no one is going to look out for you unless you represent value to them, and they'll look out for you commensurate with that value. If you can't do something that someone 20 years younger than you can do, then you're far less valuable than someone with a unique, in-demand skill set. Getting laid off at 50+ sucks, and it sucks far worse if you didn't plan 30 years earlier for such an eventuality. But not all is lost. You need to grieve for a short time, then come up with a plan to take charge of your life. If you just want to keep working for someone else, then you'll have to accept much lower pay and benefits. |
Anonymous
I have 25 years of experience in recruiting, staff development and large team management. Your basic senior/middle manager. Will be applying these known skills in my role but for a field completely new to me. Like I said, I feel very fortunate. If this is your hope, I’d say keep applying via USA Jobs and network with any friends or colleagues you can. I’m a few weeks in and it has been terrific so far. |
Anonymous
Me, too (57). Is it possible for technology? |
Anonymous
Yes. I am over 50 and was recently hired into a tech position. |
Anonymous
Wall Street adjacent here, women are pushed out around 50 unless you are a well known SME in your area. Some of the vendors for my employer have contract jobs that will take you if experience is a match. I plan on holding on to that until “too old”. It’s also possible to be a recruiter if the network is right. If finally aged out of professional jobs, I can do baby sitting or pet sitting until 62. |