tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post9167027855591934167..comments2024-03-28T18:11:40.841-04:00Comments on Sightings Over Sixty: Shhhh ... Don't Tell the KidsTomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08611148987085476580noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-24508261431929974752011-09-25T10:31:12.770-04:002011-09-25T10:31:12.770-04:00They are predicting a large workforce shortage in ...They are predicting a large workforce shortage in Canada in the coming decades, as boomers retire without enough people to fill vacant jobs. Maybe they should move up here! ;) Otoh, who knows what will happen to our economy in the coming years? I have a few friends with 20-something kids who seem to be drifting through life right now, trying to figure out what to do. It's hard for them.Knatoleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03809822081515082096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-76372836078802153092011-09-20T20:32:36.787-04:002011-09-20T20:32:36.787-04:00I have a few of those 20's somethings, too. Li...I have a few of those 20's somethings, too. Like all of mine. Oldest working in his field. Middle one, always working, but only adding to his resume that he is working. Not in his profession. Youngest still in school. Guess I should have had my kids in my teens.Midlife Roadtripperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06700277803842883251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-37284645376664007282011-09-20T16:46:11.129-04:002011-09-20T16:46:11.129-04:00My 30 year old has a great job but wishes she coul...My 30 year old has a great job but wishes she could quit and follow her passion as an editor. She can't. So she suffers and complains and holds down the fort while her ex-executive husband quit and followed his passion to be a film producer. My 33 year old did manage to quit her great job after 11 years and follow her passion as a photographer but makes no money. Her husband supports them and they're sort of broke.<br /><br />So, it takes two. One to hold down the fort. The other to follow their dream. Hopefully, in the future, the roles can reverse.<br /><br />All are very well educated, paid their own college expenses and work long and hard. My youngest puts in many, many days till midnight. It's not easy for any of them.<br /><br />One worked 1.5 years in Hong Kong. I worry that at any moment another one will call and say they are relocating to CA or something.<br /><br />Global world indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-89965566220676844762011-09-20T14:39:57.555-04:002011-09-20T14:39:57.555-04:00Those of us in my generation, who spent our lives ...Those of us in my generation, who spent our lives as "housewives" which I was until I was age 35 and got my first real job, started our 'careers' with a disadvantage. Also, we weathered some tough economic times. <br /><br />Somehow, many of us managed to turn that disadvantage to our benefit and retire on a decent income. I don't think it helps to be pessimistic. I have 3 granddaughters in the 20-24 age range and they are all working. They are doing menial jobs for sure, but working. I did menial jobs for 20 years before my education paid off. The unemployment rate for 20-24 year olds is now 15%. This means the majority of them are working, if they want to. <br /><br />Read the feature articles in the Economist magazine the past two weeks on education, jobs and labor. Thirty percent of employers say they cannot find the help they need for the jobs they have. The answer is to upgrade your skills. Study math!! and/or look for work in the health care industries. Somebody has to take care of aging baby boomers. Companies are going over seas for skill hires. <br /><br />Good post and provocative.<br /><br />Dianneschmidleysscriblins.wordpress.comhttp://schmidleysscriblins.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-3902549616789549382011-09-20T08:34:08.701-04:002011-09-20T08:34:08.701-04:00Excellent advice that deserves wide circulation. W...Excellent advice that deserves wide circulation. When Dr. McCoy's comments are added, I can't think of a thing to contribute to the discussion, except advice to be persistent. This economic situation, like all others, is not forever. Things will improve, and those suffering now need to maintain hope that better days lie ahead.Gabbygeezerhttp://www.gabbygeezer.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-10420375377272315842011-09-20T03:49:10.176-04:002011-09-20T03:49:10.176-04:00Excellent advice, Tom! I would add just one thing:...Excellent advice, Tom! I would add just one thing: rethink expensive colleges that will put students in extreme student debt. A number of state schools are excellent and are establishing Honor Colleges to keep top students in-state. Check those out -- also community colleges for the first two years can be a real saver. And I so agree with you about getting a practical degree. My sister went to a community college nursing program. She has an A.A. degree, is an R.N. and makes more money than I did with a Ph.D.! She can get a job anyplace -- and she also loves her work. There is a lot of value in having in-demand skills. It's a bonus if these are your passion. If they're not, pursue your passion in your free time. These are scary times, indeed. I really feel for the twentysomethings.Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-74016310722678923182011-09-19T19:30:44.428-04:002011-09-19T19:30:44.428-04:00I shall pass this on to my 19 year old step grands...I shall pass this on to my 19 year old step grandson, who is struggling now. I worry that the lingering financial crisis will eventually pit generations against each other. At some point, it will be either student loans OR Social Security, decent public education OR Medicare...and that breaks my heart, for those of us who truly recall being young and starting out know that we can be their very best supporters and mentors.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15166865250789996825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-13236835700521158692011-09-19T18:57:32.175-04:002011-09-19T18:57:32.175-04:00Excellent advice. Not much I could add. I do feel ...Excellent advice. Not much I could add. I do feel a bit guilty as a retiree for while I haven't received a cost of living adjustment in years, I still have that regular paycheck. <br />Things have to turn around soon.<br />Arkansas PattiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-47806928831180894762011-09-19T16:03:57.082-04:002011-09-19T16:03:57.082-04:00I have 3 children in their 20's and what I see...I have 3 children in their 20's and what I see happening as well is they know they need to stay put in the jobs they are in now since they make half decent incomes, however they are unhappy with the jobs themselves. The opportunities for advancement are no longer there and they are rapidly losing their zest for optimizing their careers. Its crazy to leave a job and yet going back for more education is not an option because they cannot afford to not work and rack up more debt. <br /><br />I find it sad on all fronts for them and hope things turn around soon.Luciehttp://midlifemusingsbyluce.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-53148354913469729932011-09-19T13:39:24.881-04:002011-09-19T13:39:24.881-04:00Overall, I think you provided some excellent advic...Overall, I think you provided some excellent advice. But education is not the answer alone. You must be able to use it, to enhance it, to apply it creatively. I am reminded of the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz:<br /><br />"Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Every pusillanimous creature that crawls on the Earth or slinks through slimy seas has a brain. Back where I come from, we have universities, seats of great learning, where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts and with no more brains than you have. But they have one thing you haven't got: a diploma."<br /><br />A better brain PLUS an education equals success. Education alone just helps you get employed.Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09752593286034877538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-626594980028435818.post-6985492956565983722011-09-19T11:47:30.662-04:002011-09-19T11:47:30.662-04:00I have two children. What a difference the two ye...I have two children. What a difference the two years between them made in their ability to get a job after college. My 33 year old daughter is a highly paid professional. My son is working in a low paid paraprofessional position. He has medical insurance and a retirement plan, but lives at the poverty level with little chance for advancement. Not the American dream we envisioned for our children.#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.com