more on Tech: A 'hostile environment' for US natives????

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

My hackles raised at this summation  of what "older employees" have  
to offer as skills. My husband, who comes from -- yes -- a COBOL  
background from working at programming some of the very early ATM  
software for the-company-that-was-Mellon-Bank, then later working for  
AIG up here in New Hampshire fits your profile.

Except that he =did= update his programming language skills.

And is a published writer and an accomplished nonfiction & fiction  
editor, working freelance for most of the major publishers in the  
U.S. (and has edited some of the New York Times bestsellers that  
honestly belonged on the bestseller list in these last few years).  
Language skills are not exactly lacking on his part. He's worked with  
me as a part of my book production company since 1989 and went full  
time with me in 1999 out of necessity. We both work freelance -- not  
exactly a great way to pay the bills, but the English language is (as  
younger people would say) our bitch.

He hasn't been able to get a software programming job since he was  
laid off  in 1999. Why?

His age. Plain and simple. He just turned 50, and is (unofficially,  
since of course ageism isn't kosher in the hiring process) told he  
"wouldn't fit in" with the younger employees and working under the  
younger managers at companies.

Pardon my French, so to speak, but -- language skills lacking, *my ass.*

--Nancy

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
Nancy C. Hanger, director
  Windhaven Press: Consulting & Editorial Services
     *on-line & on-paper since 1986*
              www.windhaven.com


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