When Work Experience is No Longer Valued

I started this blog over four years ago because I empathized with men in distress over their ability to provide financially for their families. One of my first articles published online was entitled, "Why I Identify With Midlife Men."

I've had my "men" issues, having grown up in a iron-fisted, Sicilian home. Those were the days when men were allowed two emotions: angry and drunk.

Fast forward 20 years and I see men who are compassionate, caring and concerned fathers and partners. What I also see is men in their 50s who look like they've been drop-kicked and missed the goal post.

 

Companies are divesting their most prized assets in these fragile economic times: Professionals and  managers with impressive skills.

"I've had 30 years in IT," said David Kozlowski, a systems VP laid off in June. He wanted to know how far to go back in his work experience when an interviewer asks. And that hiring manager probably wasn't even born when Dave started his career.

We've seen these cycles come and go. Whether we call it reorganizing, downsizing or just plain "company layoffs," it's still boils down to this: Men and women with wisdom and grit are being displaced by forces beyond their control predicated on a lot of mismanagement.

What's a person to do?

I'd like to echo Nancy Nituama, an unemployed librarian with two master's degrees, who said at a recent work-force seminar, "We could start a new society with all the talent in this room."

I suggest we take her advice. The revolution has begun in our hearts and our minds. Let's turn our anger into action and build a world where there is no waste of money, talent OR emotion.

Comments

[Nicolette]

I believe that in the next 5 years we'll see "work" changing in ways we have yet to imagine. There IS a group that is slowly revealing itself to those who have eyes to see.

Try not to be tied to the old way of doing things. Expand your horizons and learn something new. As easy as it is to rail against our younger counterparts, they are light years ahead in their ability to embrace new ideas, especially technology and music.

Can you tap into some of their passion? Connect with someone half your age through music?

Thanks for the compliment on my blog and feel free to vent any time you want.

[Man Over Board]

I agree wholeheartedly, so lets join forces and start a group. But where, when? I am a young 53 and everyday I have to wonder if my job will be there tomorrow let alone 5 years from now.

This is a time in life I should be in the long post stretch to settle in for the finish line. But I feel as thou I will be working in the stands long into my retirement years.

I truly feel that the older worker is not only a harder, experienced, loyal, on time worker but also one with plenty of energy to literally run circles around our younger counterparts.

Great blog by the way, thanks for letting me blow off a little steam :-)