By: Wendi Beatty

Wendi Beatty — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:53:33 +0000

YOu sound so frustrated and with good reason. You mentioned that you have been there for your family and friends but from the tone of your entry, I didn’t get the impression that you have shared much about what is going on with you. If you have anyone, friend or family, who is close to you or who has been helped by you, please share your burden. At the very least they might invite you to dinner more often, but let others help you for a change. You sound as if the world is on your shoulders — with good reason. Let others help you for a change and for heaven’s sake, when you are interviewing for a position and see someone’s writing that you are older, give them a stern, concerned look and say, “Do you hire older people? Can you give me some examples?” You can ask that with a smile but definitely give them a hard stare to make your point. Then make a notation of your own in a small notebook. I hope you get work again. Have you tried going into another field or just picking up something part time? When I was working in MN a few yrs ago, I picked up a pt job at Blockbuster. I also worked pt as a barista at coffeehouses and loved it. If I could make a living doing that, hey, I would. By the way, I am 52 yrs old and just don’t think about it much. But I know others do and I do notice a difference in how I’m treated by some people.
Have you thought about volunteering time to some area that might be of interest to you? I volunteer on weekends for a cat rescue organization and this weekend I’m going to volunteer for a “bioblitz” at an open space preserve. I’ll be assisting research scientists with setting up cameras on the preserve to capture plants, insects or mammals in action for 24 hours. I look at everything as an opportunity to check out a different area. By the way, I have major depression and bcz of some medication I have been on, I am experiencing memory loss and cannot retain information as easily as when I am off of it. It’s possible that I may be losing my job in a month or so bcz of it. My manager knows my situation and is sympathetic and understanding, but there may be no stopping the possibility of being laid off. So I am working hard to look at all possibilities and make possibilities for myself. I know you can do the same thing. You sound intelligent and you mentioned that you are hard-working. People our age go on and get their college degrees. We can do this. YOU can do this. Just think outside the box. Look at your position from a new angle and see what you can come up with. Good luck.

Comments on: Need a Job, but is 63 Too Old?

By: Wendi Beatty