Expert: Leigh Ishikawa - 8/18/2007

Question
I am 48 years old with a Business degree.  25 years ago I started my career as programmer; mainframe, then got into PC programming using Visual Basic.  I was never the most technical person on the team but I could communicate well.  I was often the person chosen to act as a tech consultant during new user traingin. As time went on, and younger people (who were tech-savvy when they were toddlers!) came into the work place, I found it harder to compete.  Then jobs started going overseas.  Everyone on my team was from India.  My last job in the IT field was in 2003 when I left Lucent Technologies.  I decided that I wanted to totally get away from the tech industry and I opened an art-related small business.  After 4 years of working my butt off for very little money, I'm wondering if I made such a great decision in starting the biz and am considering getting back into the tech world.  But HOW?  As I said, I'm 48, the skills I had are no longer current.  I've thought about going back to school, becoming certified in something but I am really out of the loop and don't know what I would be good at anymore and if anyone would even HIRE me at this age.  I feel like the tech field is the only one where are and experience means nothing; a company would rather have a kid right out of school who already has the latest skills, or someone from overseas who will work for less money.  Any advice?

Answer
Hi Valerie,

I read your question several times and put some thought into this.  Rather then going off about how older people are often unappriciated, I want to find an answer.  And I actually saw it in your question.

Let's evaluate a very important thing that you wrote in your question:
"I was never the most technical person on the team but I could communicate well." ... and...  "I was often the person chosen to act as a tech consultant during new user training."

My answer is to change your career.  Instead of being a programmer, why not pursue a career as a project manager focusing on your communication strength?  I would brush up on your technology, and start applying for a job that relies on your communication skills.  What you said is perfectly great.  Your interaction with customers and outside groups were great, so focus on that.  And to do that, you need to change your focus.

Dress business casual, make sure you are very presentable (nails, hair, etc) so you look sharp.  Make sure you have good listening/note taking skills.  If I were you, I would consider taking a course in Microsoft Project so you know how to use a project management tool.  In that role, experience would count a heck of a lot more.

Let me know what you think!

L