Jobs and people over 40 years old.

CT_Tree_Guy · Jan 28, 2006

Ernie - thanks, you sound like a great guy too, I've always enjoyed your posts. I wish I were closer too - I love oak trees, whether sliced into veneer, beams, or clear lumber. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (Just a little joke - they are also beautiful when left uncut, and it's pretty cool the way they turn carbon dioxide into oxygen - nice trick). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif My family used to live in Portland OR, and it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. We were treated to watching the sun rise behind Mt. Hood every day, and had views of Mts. Rainier, St. Helens, and Adams, and all the sea-going traffic plodding up and down the Willamette River. Watching the bridges going up, down and sideways all day was very peaceful and hypnotic. Great memories. Good luck with your oak removals - feel free to message me with any quotes you get, I'd be happy to let you know what I think of the prices. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

And Paul - I really like your signature - I can't control my day but I can control my attitude. How appropriate! You sound like a heck of a guy yourself!

Peace, John

riptides · Jan 30, 2006

( When I was young I worked cheap to gain experience to someday have the good job. Someday is now. Experience and wisdom can be appreciated when safety is at stake. )

And may I add security to this statement.

The security field within IT is an extremely busy industry right now.

You may know of hackers, young ones, or script kiddies as some call them, it is usually the experienced ones that keeps people out of the news.

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BobReeves · Jan 30, 2006

Interesting thread, Spent a previous life as a technician/manager in two way radio. 12 years ago started a business in the amusement industry. For the last 3 years our business has been going down hill and have decided the time has come to fold up shop.

Problem is I am 61, have invested everything in this silly business and it's all but worthless. Sometimes things go the way you hope and sometimes they don't. Being 40 and unemployed... Wished I had that problem.

billbill1 · Jan 30, 2006

Bob, I am sorry that things didn't work out as you hoped. I do applaud you for trying though. That's what the American dream is all about. At 54 years old, I started a new job 3 months ago. Very high tech company and so far I'm in over my head. Being a maintenance supervisor has removed me from staying on top of PLC's and the newer electronics and the youngsters are far ahead of me. I hope that this "Old Dog" can still learn some new tricks!! I would love to come up with some kind of business that would take me into retirement but haven't been able to think of anything.

rox · Jan 30, 2006

Terry43,
What kind of experience do you have?
What do you like to do/would like to do.
Doesn't matter if you are qualified or not, jsut what kind of work do you, would you, like to do?

JohnBoy45 · Jan 30, 2006

I have electrical and welding experience. I even have a college education in the electrical and welding fields.

Terry

hobbyfarm · Jan 30, 2006

( Hi, Have any of you had problems finding work after 40 years old? I live in a college town and this is not the place for people over 40 because employers would rather hire young people over older. I think mainly because medical and employers get tax cuts by hiring college students. What do you think about this? )

That's great, that's why I returned to college in my 30's to finish my degree. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I decided that I could not be competitive with those who had their degrees, so, I pretty much made up my mind to educate myself.

Boondox · Jan 31, 2006

A college town makes it tough, as many businesses don't care much about turnover. I was in a similar situation in my early 40s: graduate degree but no call for it in my new hometown area, greying at the temples in a very young workforce, no actual hands-on experience in the fields that were hiring.

So in the interview I acknowledged my age in a positive way: experience, critical thinking skills that could translate to many situations, ability to learn and to teach. The sort of things a youngster couldn't claim to have. And also a willingness to start on the shop floor. So that's where I started. In 9 years my responsibilities and salary have quadrupled as my ability to gather and analyze data began impacting the bottom line. Now pushing 50, age isn't a problem because it's generally acknowledged that I won't go job hopping...but rather am looking to leave this place better than I found it before retiring.

Market your strengths, old timer! And good luck!

Pete

2nstonge · Jan 31, 2006

Why not approach the college about a job with their facilities dept? Not pushing a broom, but using your electrical & welding experience...you understand structures, mechanicals, how things go together & work. It seems someone with those skills, on staff, would be valuable.

I live just north of Williams College in MA, and they contract out alot of building work...does your local college do the same? If so, find out who their contractors are (the guys in the facilities dept will know) and approach them for work. As someone else mentioned, there's builders making $$ by building and maintaining houses for the faculty. Find these contractors and see what their needs are. Don't compete with the college kids but rather find the businesses that are building the infrastructure around them.

Good luck. I changed careers at 44 - not by choice - but it's been the best thing I've ever had to do.

-Norm