| Topic Name: |
24 year old burnout |
| Message Name: |
RE: 24 year old burnout |
| Date Posted: |
08/21/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Hello,
I just wanted to see if there was anyone else out there like me. I am a 24 year old person, laid off once from an IT firm. I ended up with a better company, but now there are rumors of the same thing happening again. I was always a top student, went to a good school, and did everything right. However, with all the stress and stuff, I feel like I'm 24 going on 45. I look at people who are in college, and they look so much younger than me. (I was only in college a few years ago, for God's sake!)
Its amazing what I have gone thru in the working world at my age. I think it is unique for our generation for us to face so much stress so soon. In past recessions, it seemed like it was the old people who got screwed. Now, I have heard of many friends, acquaintences who have been laid off, or face a lay off.
Is there anyone out there who feels like this, or has a similar story?
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| Message: |
"I think it is unique for our generation for us to face so much stress so soon."
Probably right about that son. My generation got drafted at 19 and sent to Vietnam. You grew up real fast there. When you left country at 20 you looked like an old man.
Ever watch someone die? It makes you old. Have it happen repeatedly and it takes the life out of you.
With that in mind - you don't really have it so bad. I've been laid off, fired, watched helplessly while people died, and dealt with other stuff.
Do you know how swords were made? They forged the steel and then pounded it with hammers. Why? That pounding compressed the molecules and made the steel stronger. That's what your layoff did to you.
Look, I'm really sorry that you got laid off and I wish I could say it won't happen again. But what I CAN say is that you WILL survive the next one simply because the first one taught you.
You are right. You did everything like you were supposed to do, yet, it still happened to you. Like all the rest of the world you have been victimized by "Parents Conspiracy". What the hell is that you ask? Well, parents don't tell us about the REAL facts of life. Forget about sex, I'm talking about the hard lessons in life!
I hope now you will have some empathy for guys like me in your father's generation. Guys like me built systems years ago, some in use today, others were used as stepping stones for systems today. We are constantly victimized by age discrimination. Think I'm kidding? How old is the manager you report to? How many of his people are older than him/her? Wonder why?
Just think about how much you've grown and how much more advanced you are then those college kids. Now think about guys in there 40s & 50s like me. I hope you will give us as much respect as you wish to have.
I don't know you but if I did I'd probably take you for a walk, put my arm on your shoulder, and just let you spout off.
I promise you this: life will get better. I've been where you are now and have progressed various stages since then, and you will too.
Good luck in your journey. There are those of us with much experience in the cyber-world that can help. Keep talking it out.
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