Post-Retirement IT Job Advice? (BEWARE: Crazy Question)

[mednat]

The perception of moving from job to job is common among IT workers, but this isn't the majority of the workforce. I've found this to be more common in development positions or project driven work positions. The issue with breaking into these roles is experience is king. Agism definitely exists in the IT world, however most of the really successful people in IT (developers included) that I've worked with have been older. The reason for this is, they have work in very specific systems that they've mastered.

Now to the prospect of moving into IT field later in life as a post-retirement career. I think there will be a ton of challenges. It's possible, but if freedom in schedule is your desire you may be better served taking some other path. Most contract work I've seen is very project driven and the schedule that's set is not always realistic (usually it's not).

What field did you previously work in? Is there anyway to leverage that for consulting opportunities? The most bang for the buck in these areas is finding a niche that is underserved. The easiest way to do this is usually to take a business discipline that you've mastered and learn the IT bits that go along with it. This will leverage your experience as a positive. Agism is reduced when this occurs and if you're a contractor, most of the concerns mentioned do not exist, because you're responsible for your health insurance, and they don't want a full time employee long term.

[LaterBloomer]

Bluebooger,
If you had heard me trying to explain to my nonagenarian mother what PokÃmon Go was, and my explanation was ENTIRELY speculative, you'd probably have laughed a certain part of your anatomy off!

Does ageism exist? Just like every other "ism," I'm sure it does. My plan, however, is to not let it get in my way. Unrealistic? Probably.

[LaterBloomer]

Thank you, Zach. Very specific advice, which I always appreciate.