TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:SPOILER: Almost over 45 club -Reply From:Amy Brown <AMYB -at- IPRAX -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 18 Oct 1996 15:17:33 -0500
Story on ageism and (non-tech writing) employment. If you feel this is
irrelevant to the list or to your life in general, you're more than free to
delete it.
My aunt, who's 71, isn't a tech writer, she's essentially an executive
assistant/secretary in the NYC world of finance (an ageist universe if
there ever was one). Her boss of 25 years died last year after a long
battle with Hodgkin's disease. I have little doubt that during his frequent
sicknesses she handled his job with aplomb. Recently her firm asked
her to retire; no surprise to anyone. She wondered what she'd do with
her life.
Well, last week she had an interview at the mammoth brokerage firm,
Bear Stearns, for a part-time job. She'll probably get it: I guess some
employers value 30+ years of decision-making and organizational skills
over how an employee looks & how much of a pension they'll have to
pay.
So let's not put ourselves out to pasture too soon. Too many others are
more than happy to do so for us.