I have just spent the last 4 years getting my commercial computer graphics certificate and then my bachelor of visual arts degree.. but so far, I am too "mature" for any of the jobs I have applied for.
what does it matter how old you are sitting behind a computer, surely your creativity would be the main issue here and having life experience would make you more valuable as you would be able to apply your emotions, feelings, outcomes, outlooks etc to any graphic or project you would create?
but no, they all want a young thing that they can manipulate, tell them what to create, no one with any mind of their own.
so.....
just my little gripe for the day

yes the older generation seems to be left out when it comes to jobs.we have had many interviews but nothing at end ,we guess employers dont want to pay for our experience,and sooner pay younger ones cheaper rates.we have had one job interview where the employer didnt turn up,let alone apologise.too young for the pension yet,so what now.

It's sad to hear older people don't get a shot. I'm fortunate that my degree is in an area where age ISN'T a barrier. This country is crying out for nurses no matter how old they are, and I even get choices :-) I do hope you both find employment soon.

We have had the same negative experience. Employers seem to want the dumbest staff possible so they can pay them minimum wage, and then they gripe about the brain drain. One recently said they couldn't wait for a change of Govt so the minimum wage would drop and then complianed nobody was buying new cars???

Archer, what is this about the minimum wage dropping if National gets in? That is one thing I have not heard. I know Bill English thinks 66% is too high for super, so if wages drop 66% then becomes less and if he then drops it again, then we are in BIG trouble.

Amazing eh!!! The short sightedness of certain sectors of the population. The average age of the Nurse is now about 45-48 years. The Health vote has taken a beating recently in that in many places 60% goes in "management" before any workers ever get paid. Interesting times we live in.

In The Grey Base Hospital here in Greymouth the admin staff has increased by 29 and the number of doctors decreased by one. Where is the justification in that? The Canterbury DHB advertised a few weeks back for a manager to manager the managers. Just keeping themselves in work and to hell with the health of the people.