Additional Coverage:
- I was recently laid off and am struggling to find a job. I’m in my 50s, and I wonder where I fit in this current job market. (businessinsider.com)
After a decade with a media company, I found myself unexpectedly laid off. Now in my 50s and facing unemployment for the first time in two decades, I’m navigating a job market that feels increasingly alien-and it has me questioning where I fit in today’s digital journalism landscape.
Long before social media became mainstream, I was an early Twitter influencer, active even before the platform launched its app. When Facebook introduced Pages, I was proud to be the first gay journalist with a verified account-back when that blue checkmark still held real prestige. Over time, I grew another Facebook page to over a million followers, and my old blog was even archived by the Library of Congress as a significant piece of internet history.
I spent 20 years helping shape online journalism into what it is today. So why has finding a new digital journalism role become such a struggle? I suspect age plays a big part.
A Decade at One Company, Then Laid Off
My journey began with launching my own blog back in 2004. After 10 years, I sold it to a media company and joined their team.
I shifted my focus from building my personal social media presence to growing the company’s accounts, believing the publications needed the recognition more than I did. Unfortunately, just days before marking 10 years with them, I was laid off.
I’m far from alone-editors, journalists, and copywriters face layoffs regularly. And many roles are being replaced by AI, which, unlike humans, doesn’t require benefits or retirement plans.
The Age Factor in Job Hunting
Currently, I’m piecing together income through Substack subscriptions, monetized social media content, and freelance writing-none of which contribute to a stable retirement plan. During the one job interview I landed, the younger interviewer complimented my résumé but then asked, “When do you see yourself retiring?” My only honest answer: “When I hit the lottery.”
There’s a unique frustration in trying to condense 20 years of experience into a brief paragraph that can pass the scrutiny of AI resume scanners. Without a college degree, I often find my applications rejected for missing educational credentials, despite my extensive real-world expertise.
Job postings now frequently demand a master’s degree and an active TikTok presence-even for entry-level roles pitching influencers. While I have thousands of followers across platforms, mastering the latest TikTok trends is considered essential experience.
Adding Distance: Living Abroad
Three years ago, I moved to Mexico City. Though I maintain a U.S. bank account and pay American taxes, most remote job listings require candidates to reside in the U.S.
Companies hesitate to navigate the complications of a cross-border hire. So now, I’m not only older-I’m also “complicated” in their eyes.
I’m not ready to retire; I want to continue contributing, leading teams, and feeling useful. Though these times have been challenging, I remain hopeful that my best professional days are still ahead.