What happens when you “age out” of your job? Especially wondering about female creatives. Am I going to be able to get jobs when I’m 50? And if not, what do people do when this happens? Is there another industry that’s common to transition to?

Any advice much appreciated! Thanks

The answer to this question kinda depends on how old you are when asking it.

I think this is a great question to check in with yourself on as you’re honing your craft and figuring out why you’re in your job and what you might like to move on to.

If you’re like 25 and asking this question, you have so much growth ahead of you that, unless you’re like, wait why am I a writer when I should be a surgeon, it’s not wasted time. And honestly, I don’t think any of the time we spend in various careers/paths is wasted, because it all feeds us. And we are more than our job.

I’ve been asking this same question the past +20 years I’ve been in this business. And yes, I am now starting to explore in a more concrete way where to shift in the next 5-10 years, because I want more options for myself, and know I’m the only one who can create them.

Will you get jobs in your 50s isn’t the same question as, will I be able to compete for the job I think I want? People in advertising leave for all kinds of other jobs all the time. It seems like most of us got here by accident to begin with.
Asking where others are going isn’t the same as asking, where might I like to go? Which might have a more interesting answer.

Not 50 yet, but my answer is … client side. Good work/life balance. Challenging work. Smart people. No awards-chasing egomaniac CCOs brought in to “break the system” then move on/get fired after 1-2 years. Solid salary, bonuses, and stock options. Keep contacts of clients you’ve done great work for. No shame in the LinkedIn game! See who’s hiring internal creative teams, many Fortune 500 companies are! Not to say us Elder Gen Xers have no place in agency world - we do! But the grass can be greener (even without boozy parties and production swag). Best of luck!

I think about this way too often 😳

65 yr old female - still in it despite shifts along the way. Don't fear the future but do be aware of staying current and resist aging yourself out because you think it has to be that way. It doesn't. I've had to pivot my skills as I moved from agency to client side to agency to freelance and back. Some of it was scary. Some was exciting. If you love what you just don't give in, or give up.

Start building your online presence! That’s what I see people doing. Especially if they’ve been laid off. Also, I know plenty of 50 year olds that haven’t aged out! I think it’s keeping your skills up! As well.

Freelance. I feel I have been aged out. I’m over 50 was just laid off and I’m now laying the groundwork reaching out to contacts to set myself up for freelance.

When there’s no work, no interviews despite sending out applications, but freelance offers some options. It becomes pretty clear that freelance is the way to go.

It’s not ideal certainly not consistent. Health insurance is out-of-pocket, but there are ways of handling all this.

Shape a network of folks you’ve worked with that have different work experience so you can lean on them as needed for work that comes in. A mutually supportive group, sharing overflow work or when you get the flu is invaluable to survive ebb and flow with freelance. Look up some resources, create an LLC once work is lined up. Read books on how to go freelance.

The most important thing is having money coming in. Your experience, your knowledge, your skills should not go to waste because you get to a certain age.

And clients don’t care about your age as much as employers. If anything, your experience is a selling point.

Could you evolve to creative sourcing / resourcing /manager type role?
Or A training role to train creatives in new technology?

I’m over 50 female in advertising- not a creative though. I’ve found a niche in being an expert in a certain type of technology, enablement, training in my field area - kind of a consultant, trainer, mentor to younger people.

You must have a good network. You don’t have to be going out and socializing but you need to have people in various roles of leadership who know you’re good. Not about awards, but good agencies on your roster help give you creeds for a longer career.

I think the difference today is that young people will not just have ONE career in ONE industry. There will be disruption across the board that goes beyond "aging out". This could be a good thing. It creates new opportunities in industries you may never have thought of. It's a chance to keep reinventing yourself and see what ya got. It's far better than sitting around worrying about wrinkles, imo.

Thanks so much for all the advice, ladies!! Much appreciated