Maybe one of the problems with the seniority issue is overspecialization? Broaden your occupational horizons, and you might have a more fulfilling career. I’m just saying...
Another thing to think about... if you know your field inside and out, what’s preventing you from working for yourself? You do not have to be locked into a dead end job.
As for the question... retaining older workers specifically in PE’s case means hoping to eke out a few more years out of the soon to retire crowd so they can train the new kids on the block that will have to fill their shoes when they leave. The way things are these days, no one teaches the needed skills in school anymore (except for maybe Wneighbor). You either learn it on the job, or you never learn it.
I don’t know about your situation and the younger workers being 40-ish. Like I said above, maybe it has to do with overspecialization? I was overspecialized, and I was one of the older ones in my field. I changed my career path 180 degrees.
Then again, my uncle was a CPA, and didn’t like always being the junior guy so he started his own accounting software management/support business, and has remained in business for more than 20 years.
I guess all of this is to say, it’s what you make of it. If you see a dead end, make you own opportunity if you have to.
I guess all of this is to say, it’s what you make of it. If you see a dead end, make you own opportunity if you have to.
Yep. When life hands you a lemon, get together with someone whom life has handed vodka.
From a Government Office of Personnel Management paper on the lack of opportunities for the 'younger' Senior Executive Service workers (yes, this holds true in private sector in defense as well):
This is further compounded by what is termed the “gray ceiling” – promising Xers in their 30s and early 40s find themselves stuck, unable to move up because the pathways to advancement are blocked by Baby Boomers postponing retirement. Much has been made of the impending “retirement tsunami,” particularly in the senior leadership ranks in the Federal sector, where some 70% are eligible or soon eligible to retire. However, “eligibility” to retire does not mean “able” to retire.