How rampant is age descrimination?
Age discrimination is not equally rampant in every area. It depends on the topic or, if we were to discuss job opportunities, the industry you want to apply for. Society-wise, it’s better to surround yourself with people who don’t treat you differently because of your age. For instance, if you like going to the gym, try out different places until you find the most welcoming environment. When it comes to finding a job, things get more complicated. If a company needs a consultant, you’re more likely to get hired.
In contrast, only 11. 1% of companies in the tech industry would hire people over 33 (The median age in other industries is 42.3). The same situation is applied in the business and finance industry. Older professionals in this industry claim that people don’t take them seriously due to their age. Most recruiters in this area believe some people are “too elderly to learn new things.
Another industry where ageism is rampant is marketing. Even though older people have higher spending power, they only appear in around 15% of advertisements. And when they do, they’re usually shown as unproductive people living at home. The median age in this industry is 40, which is relatively low.
Another example is the healthcare industry. In South Peninsula Hospital, five above 50 highly qualified nurses were fired simultaneously. They claimed the hospital was looking for young, inexperienced staff to reduce expenses. The only suggestion I have for senior workers is to prove the ageist people wrong. You can’t change that some companies prefer younger people because they’re cheaper to hire. However, you can try not to lose a job opportunity by doing twice as well as your co-workers. This way, you demonstrate that your age doesn’t define your productiveness.