---------- Forwarded message ----------
>From: Bud
>Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 08:33:36 -0400
>Subject: Re: Remember : Cisco or not, might be too old to roll... >To:
>Let's see, me 45 and just getting certs. Boss hired a "kid" 19,
>couldn't even format a disk from a command prompt, heck, didn't even
>know what a command prompt was. And this kid had 4 years of cicso
>training, as well as compter intensive classes.
>
>I won't even go into his inability to follow thru on something as
>simple as adding a local printer.
>
>Nope, the younger age doesn't count. No experience in the real world.
>And, it appears from the original poster, no idea of what a mentor can
>do. Give me the older guy any day. At least I can count on knowledge
>from many different areas of life, not just school.
>
>Bud
>>
>>
>>
>>>>
>>Paulo,
>>
>>You understand exactly what is going on. What the older generation
>>must realize is that too many things are going on in life that it is
>>impossible to keep up with the kids that have the time to understand
>>the latest and greatest technologies. What the "Elders" (God, I hate
>>to say that!) must comprehend is that we do have life's experiences
>>("experiences" being the operative word) to stay in the industry, but
>>only in a business perspective.
>>
>>For example, and nothing against the younger of course, but the way I
>>think and the manner in which I can set an example and accomplish
>>tasks, I would be well suited towards management and have had an offer
>>just lately, which for me would be the first time "out of the
>>completely technical realm". Right now, it is the only way a guy 40 or
>>older can exist in the industry.
>
>The worst thing anyone at any age can do is limit themselves...the
>second worst is to greatly overestimate one's capabilities. What does >that mean?
>
>Let's talk older folks. Those who give up, those who don't try, and
>those who think they are good enough without trying to keep pace, who
>think their past performance will sustain them, will fail.
>
>Let's talk younger people. I was young once (I think), and I now have
>kids, so I can see it from 2 perspectives. When I was the age of my
>kids, I could play several musical instruments passingly, and could
>get a tune out of just about anything, and would practice for 1-2
>hours a day, sometimes more. My kids...can't put in the time, too many
>distractions, etc. It's part of the modern busy time we live in, it's
>not their fault. When I was a kid, I had to make my own bow and
>arrows, for crying out loud. I know it depends on where you live in
>the world, etc, but there it is. If people are going to toss in the
>towel every time something is a bit of a drag (there, that's an old
>60's expression!), what will they ever accomplish?
>
>Another thing...math. Yes, math. What describes the way signals act on
>a transmission medium? Why, some of the dandiest math you ever saw in
>your life. There may be a time in the foreseeable future when we are
>dumbed down so much that any high-level math will be irrelevant, but
>when? It's still a good idea to be prepared, and then, when math does
>become irrelevant, forget about it. That's what housewives of the 50's
>and 60's mainly did, instead of becoming engineers, right? :-)
>
>Bernie was right about the communications element, but I'll put math a
>close second if you want to go anywhere in high-technology. A
>mathematical mind makes everything easier to grasp.
>
>Well, that's all for me. :-)
>
>Tom
>
>>
>>>Being 16 i do think he has some point as even if younger kids dont have >>>as
>>>much experience they
>>>woul;d rather haev them working as they can train them into the company >>>and
>>>keep them for a much
>>>longer tim than maybe someone older. I mean a 24 year old is expected to
>>>have a much longer time in
>>>a company then amybe somen whos 45 as you mentioned. I also think they >>>look
>>>for younger people
>>>because of the market as technology is moving so fast and the younger
>>>generation seem to take an interest
>>>at such a young age and if alot of people are like me right now i tend to
>>>try and learn about anything new going
>>>on in technology and networking.
>>>Paulo
I'm in the same boat. I tried to make the jump from shipping clerk to IT pro. I dove back into college, and got my degree (magna cum laude) just before my 40th birthday. I then moved to Germany (for family reasons). I thought that companies would jump at the chance to hire me. Little did I realize. Every third job listing states age requirements (the vast majority not older than 35). I'm studying for certs left and right, but nothing seems to do any good. I've had a total of two interviews in the last year. I've probably sent a good 500 CVs out. My attitude is to never give up -- which is my main strength, AND my biggest curse. When I get a rejection, I send two more out. All this does is cause my downward spiral to accelerate exponentially.
I'm now 43 years old. How do I make a better life for myself when I put all I have into it and still come up empty? I busted my hump, and all I have to show for it is a pretty diploma, some certs, and about $30,000 of student loans. I have no idea what to do.
Mike