Giving up the job search in your 60s
Kai Ryssdal: We’ve been trying to humanize the job market this week. Hearing from people at various stages of life, and how they feel about looking for a job in times like these.
So far we’ve had a 20-something, a just-past-40-something. We wrap up today with a woman in her 60s who’s not near done yet.
Kay Grubola: My name is Kay Grubola and I’m from Louisville, Ky. I’m in my 60s, and I left my job almost four years ago. I was the artistic director for a community arts center.
When I first lost my job, my level of frustration was very high. I was forced out a position that I really loved. And I wasted a certain amount of time, I think, just sort of tossing around, figuring out what my next step was.
I am not out actively looking for a position anymore. And I think it’s very hard for somebody in their 60s to be taken seriously as an applicant now. I have children in my 20s, and I think we have to move aside for the younger generation. But there’s an older segment of the working population that brings experience and a certain wisdom. And the younger generation brings a wonderful vitality. And you need both of those things to really have an optimum workforce.
Ryssdal: We found Kay Grubola through our Public Insight Network. Share your stories at PublicInsightNetwork.org.
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