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Age Discrimination
Posted: Jan 16, 2008 in Culture
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I know I look like I am 16 and that I am only 24. I hate age discrimination and I realize I will battle with it most of my life.
I went to college year round and graduated in 2003 at age 20 with my associates degree in Graphic Design. I will have worked at my curred job as a Web Designer for 4 years on Feb 28th and I am only 24! I think that says a lot about me. So I shouldn't be shocked when people assume I am a newbie designer. Grant it I am not a person with let's say 10 years experience but in just 6 more years I will be.
Ben made the comment in regards to a post a made to him about me learning to handle criticism. Oh believe me I am very numb to that already. I was more upset in my last post about a bunch of idiots that think just because they have Photoshop they think they can do my job. Like it's that easy or take no special skills. And yes I would like to think I am special.
Discrimination is hard to beat I mean I don't like IndyStar people or the like because a former IndyStar employee works with me and loves the age discrimination and the meanness - hell they are the one that taught me to be numb to criticism. They were so mean to me when I started. They would rip my art apart and I would cry at my desk. They called me names and belittled me. Now we have an intern for them to belittle and they have to left me alone in that department for the most part.
We work as a team - Me, the Intern, and our SR. Web Designer. So now when I do something that is really great they assume the older male Sr. Web Designer did it and when I do something that is bad they assume the younger female Intern or I did it. Because heaven forbid we do anything great.
I know I look young and some day that will be awesome. But for now it's hard for people to take me serious. I mean I went back to my College to be a guest speaker last year and I went into the class and while I was waiting for the teacher the students thought I was a NEW student not a guest speaker. When the teacher introduced me they were all like "what"?
It really depends on the industry in terms of how your age influences your treatment. In communications/creative fields, it helps to be dewy. Once you hit 35 you're considered over the hill. But in more traditional business settings, some grey around the temples is a prerequisite to getting some respect.
You should never let a co-worker, even a supervisor, treat you with abuse like you've described. Criticism is part of the game, but name-calling and belittlement shouldn't be directed at anyone, whether you're 24 or 64.
I was at my third post-college job (okay, so we move around a lot in this biz) when I turned 25, and my boss said, "Oh, nobody's 25." She's over 60 now.
And I'm 44, about the same age she was when she made that crack. I've kept it in mind. We all have to prove ourselves, but no likes a boss or co-workers to be dismissive of them just because they're young.
First off, if you can't take some difficulties with co-workers, you should either work on better strategies for dealing with them and not take it personally or move on to other opportunities.
Secondly, this blatant baiting of people into feeling sorry for you is nothing more than a sad attempt at trying to be a victim. I can send you an extra-large cry towel or perhaps it will be more comforting if I build you a big wooden cross to bear...it's THE prop for Martyr's this Season!
Age discrimination is tough for the 59 year old who was just laid off from their job of 20 some years and can't get work because few employers want to hire someone "that old"; not the ranting of a self-absorbed 24 year old who is gainfully employed and looking for a reason to feel disenfranchised and therefore have an excuse to get indignant with the World.
Bottom line is, you are not the center of the Universe and your "struggles" are nothing compared to what many people on Planet Earth face on a daily basis. Count your blessings and press on!
Cheers!
Age Discrimination is wrong doesn't matter if you are 24 or 54. So is sexism, racism, and any other "ism". Sorry I was did mean to bait anyone into feeling sorry for me. I just happened to have a BAD week at work this week and wanted to VENT about it. This doesn't happen EVERY week. Venting is how I deal with this stupid stuff, that and medication. - clearly this is NOT the place for venting or blogging. Oh well back to MYSPACE then.
I completely understand where you're coming from. I'm almost thirty but regularly mistaken for an intern. My mother tells me I should appreciate my youthful features and small stature. Whatever.
Unfortunately I do know a little on the subject, as I formerly worked in Human Resources. In order to claim discrimination, you must be part of a protected class. The protected class for age discrimination is 40 years or older. Legally, you're not being discriminated against. Sorry :(
Back into your venting mood, however, I used to have a coworker who would remind me that she's been working in this office since before I was born. I wanted to smack her repeatedly. I feel your pain.