Living & Working in Great Places

Education and Work Experience hinder employment for Older and Bolder

I am an older and bolder who plans to take an early retirement this next year to work in the national parks. I noticed a blog about advanced degrees causing some problems for getting jobs in the parks. I do not have an advanced degree, but do have extensive work experience in management positions. I would like to know if others, especially those who have retired or taken an early retirement, have found any problems finding jobs in entry level positions due to their past work experience. apppreciate any feedback... thanks CJ

Tags: experience, work

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim on April 27, 2009 at 8:12pm: jon, I apologize if I sounded scolding. You mentioned that HR people say "real job" in their employment ads. I'm wondering what jobs you're talking about; probably "manager" jobs, which I would steer way clear of because you are typically paid very little, salary not hourly, but have a huge amount of responsibility. The best thing to do is take an hourly job for whatever company, then decide later if being a manager is for you. The upside of being a manager for DNC or other such large company is that you won't have a roommate. This is a HUGE perk! lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jon youngblood on May 3, 2009 at 8:58pm: i was confused jim. i got mixed up, what they say is "real world". yeah i hear you, i really do not want a manager job if i can avoid it. yeah i understand that it is real work and i am up for it, i figure that it would be much nicer to be able to walk to work than commute in the grueling seattle traffic like i currently do and spending what little time i have for myself catching up on sleep. if an employer needs me to take on more responsibility i usually do with no questions asked, but the reason why i am getting into seasonal resort work is to try and relax a little more. again i am sorry for the confusion and did not mean to offend anyone by implying that what we do is not real or difficult.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jim on May 3, 2009 at 9:18pm: No need to apologize Jon. I'm a complete jerk sometimes with my comments, especially after a glass of wine. Have you found a seasonal job yet? There are lots out there. I can't wait to get away. Keep us posted. Jim; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jon youngblood on May 4, 2009 at 5:03pm: no i haven't. i am pretty picky right now and want to stay in wa state for tax reasons, plus i would like to be able to help my parents move this summer. i have lined up a couple of painting jobs for the next couple of weeks and been e-mailing the resorts that i have applied to that i will remain availible if they have some no shows. i also didn't apply early enough this year. i won't let that happen again. i am going to try for stevens pass this winter. next summer after everything is settled, i would like to get up to alaska. i need to get a couple of certs though.; ▶ Reply to This