Rich AndersonVP, Project Management| ConfidentialMatthews, Nc, United States
I have been in Project Management for over 25 years, mostly in the IT PM side within the Financial Services Industry and find myself searching for answers after a completely unexpected layoff. I was with a company for 23 years and left to join what was promised to be an incredible opportunity, only to be part of a layoff after only a few months.
Now that I am older, I know my best attributes are in coaching and developing Project Management resources along with my abilities to manage IT projects in a very complex environment but those opportunities are few and far between.
Does anyone have experience changing industries in their mid to late 50's? How did you go about it? How can you work around the inherent age biases? Any suggestions for transferring knowledge and marketing yourself to a new industry? Saving Changes...
Hi Richard, Don't worry about your future. You need to believe in your skills and your experience to boost your career. Nowadays companies requiere people with your experience, your knowdlege and your skills.
Why not think in work in your own bussiness or work as freelance?
I understand your preoccupation, but I'm sure that now you will have a better opportunities in your life. Don't give up. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Hi Richard,
Although I am not in my 50s yet I can recommend that you try to broaden your horizons and look at other regions for work where age discrimination is not such a big concern. I changed industries several times with success and it comes down to your abilities, experience and skills. Working around the age bias means drawing attention more towards you as a person and less towards your age. Marketing yourself to a new industry means adapting your CV to match; I have always had to do this when changing jobs because employers need to see how you fit into the company given your background.
I hope that helps and do not despair... There is hope out there as I have seen others in your age group do the same. All the best!
Dear Richard,
Be confident in your best attributes and capacities, and look for opportunities that match your qualifications.
Your experience has great value, and going forward would lead you to interesting achievements.
Enterprises have discovered that the inclusion of persons of all ages produces satisfying results, combining the experience of older people with the innovation of younger people. Saving Changes...
