Ageism & such stuff

Subject: Ageism & such stuff
From: Chuck Beck <cbeck -at- BGNET -dot- BGSU -dot- EDU>
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 08:30:28 -0400

I have been following this thread with a great deal of personal interest, as
I am now 42 and embarking on a new career as a professional tech writer--as
soon as I finish my master's degree in "Scientific & Technical
Communications" next spring (at which point I will be 43).

After pursuing other careers in public education and the military, I am
concerned about whether and *how* I will encounter age discrimination in the
business world.

Actually, I think I already *have* encountered some: Last week I attended a
jobs expo on campus. Although I can't prove it, I am quite certain a few
companies there wrote me off after one look at my middle-aged paunch,
balding head, and graying beard. Just a feeling... Never mind that I have
precisely the skill sets and technical experience they are looking for, in
many cases.

I figure it is *their* loss. I remain confident that there are enough
"enlightened" companies out there that I will be able to find worthwhile and
gainful employment in my newly chosen endeavor. I'm speaking of the
companies that will look at what I know and what I can do--and *not* at my age.

Now, can somebody out there reassure me that I am right on this? ;)

(BTW, and FWIW, I personally *love* the new online card catalogs. I find
that I can do library research in less than a sixth of the time it *used* to
take me, and the ability to tap into wide-reaching resources throughout the
state and indeed the world is nothing short of awesome. Not only that, but I
can actually do it all from the comfort of my own home. What's not to like?)


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