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I'm 40 and I've noticed that the people at my company get younger and younger and I'm not the only one who's noticed. My co worker who is 42 agrees. Now the VPs tend to be older - 40's, 50's and 60s. But what about the folks who never reach VP status? What happened to these workers, they just arent hirable?
I've noticed it at other companies too so I'm really wonder, what do these people do?
There are lots of them in state government jobs, university jobs, federal bureaucracy jobs, the post office, etc. Also in financial services of various sorts, and teaching, non-profits. IDK, OP, I haven't noticed the same thing, but I don't move in the same circles as you.
Many are forced to just change industries or get a McJob in Boonestowne,Nowhere USA live with family and minimalist lifestyle under the radar. Millions of Americans in the heartland are "invisible" and live this way. CNBC vaguely refers to them in general statistical sound bytes. (Usually when referencing the Opiod crisis)
I'm 40 and I've noticed that the people at my company get younger and younger and I'm not the only one who's noticed. My co worker who is 42 agrees. Now the VPs tend to be older - 40's, 50's and 60s. But what about the folks who never reach VP status? What happened to these workers, they just arent hirable?
I've noticed it at other companies too so I'm really wonder, what do these people do?
I think there are a number of factors. The most obvious is Gen. X vs. Millennials. There are simply more people in their mid-20 to mid-30's vs. those in their late 30's to late 40's. Especially now as Gen Z starts entering the workforce. Gen X is right in that sweet spot you're referring to, 40's-early 50's that are simply outnumbered.
The number of small business has also been growing, meaning people are moving out on their own. And this is more apparent with non-employer businesses. I don't know the age of these folks, but it would make sense to me that it would more likely be those who had worked for some time and gained enough experience to venture out.
Another factor is the type of company. a tech start-up is likely to have much younger workers, and the opposite will be true for a consulting firm that deals with business and leadership strategies.
People in their 30s and 40s have a higher level of experience combined with maturity and work ethic and thus are more COSTLY. . All strikes against them in today's corporate environment. So no.. many are either unemployed or underemployed.
Today is all about short term gains. That means cutting experience and higher salary. Employers don't think long term anymore. Just Next quarter. No one cares if the company suffers long term and goes out of business due to lack of training, education, experience just as long as next quarter looks profitable on paper due to salary/expense reduction.
Age discrimination is real. Once you hit 30 you're in rough shape unless you're well connected.
Most of the "older employees" are shown the door. Thats why you don't see many around. Its mostly kids just out of college. Like I said, sure the company will suffer HEAVILY long term because of this (Ive seen it first hand) because the expertise is gone. Employers don't care. Thats why I would never do any more than absolutely necessary to get by because sooner or later once you hit a certain age and become more expensive youre out the door.
My company (that has fallen through the cracks financially, operations have tumbled and TO record high surprise surprise ) has 23-25 year olds running the process engineering dept. And their only ability is create excel sheets and throwing them out in mass emails and don't have the first clue about operations first hand and everyone marvels at the level of cluelessness from the corporate office filled with 20-28 year olds. They don't know their rear from a hold in the ground. They haven't had ANY real world experience outside of living in a classroom paid for by their parents.
You may get lucky and work for an employer that values experience, education, real world knowledge, etc. but 95 percent of them don't now. Its all about next quarter's profit and expense reduction
There are lots of them in state government jobs, university jobs, federal bureaucracy jobs, the post office, etc. Also in financial services of various sorts, and teaching, non-profits. IDK, OP, I haven't noticed the same thing, but I don't move in the same circles as you.
Its tougher to layoff people once they become "too expensive" in those areas. Thats why
There is a huge amount of age discrimination in various industries. If you're in one of those industries (such as tech) and you're getting older, you will have the choice of unemployment or career change.
If you've ever gotten rejected for being "overqualified" - that shows you're in an field where age discrimination is rampant.
Career change is a good strategy - to an industry where age discrimination is not a big problem. But be aware that there are no jobs (except mcjobs and sales) that require no experience, and employers tend not to count experience in a previous field.
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And their only ability is create excel sheets and throwing them out in mass emails and don't have the first clue about operations first hand and everyone marvels at the level of cluelessness from the corporate office filled with 20-28 year olds. They don't know their rear from a hold in the ground. They haven't had ANY real world experience outside of living in a classroom paid for by their parents. 
