The ad announced a search for the next food and drink critic for the weekly, Time Out NY.. It stated: Here’s the deal: We’re on the hunt to crown the city’s next great food writer. You don’t have to have any professional experience as a critic—just a passion for New York City’s culinary scene and the world of eating.
My professional food writer friends blanched. No professional experience necessary. On one hand, I support giving a newcomer a chance at a career. On the other, it is absurd to hire someone with no professional food writing or reviewing experience, who may have not even have restaurant experience, in the role of an “expert.” A review can make or break a business, but we’ve seen with the explosion of Yelp and other online forums that instant “experts” are popping up everywhere.
No experience necessary. It took me over 100 rejection letters to land my first job despite a book of published, by-lined articles. Today, young novices are hired in jobs to replace older, experienced professionals. Then, where do you go? Back to the drawing board to figure out how to re-purpose your existing skills. Back to school to learn new skills. You start a blog that you hope people will read and will provide you income. You reconsider your salary requirements. You connect through events and social media. You attend PR events where everyone seems to be half your age and wonder, “When did this happen?”
A former client once warned me when I requested a fee increase, “Be careful, Melanie. At some point everyone becomes too expensive and is dispensable.” I responded, “I may become dispensable one day, but I intend to remain unforgettable. I am worth my work.”
The greatest education I have received is through the experiences I have had, both good and bad. Think about it: If I had not had breast cancer, would I have written my books and become an advocate for women’s health issues? By traveling the world, I accept and appreciate cultural diversity. By closing a business I learned how to be more frugal and less wasteful. By watching a dear friend and father slowly die, I learned to be more compassionate and also pragmatic about having your affairs in order. Life is the biggest classroom of all.
I believe in education and supporting young people, but experience and age bring wisdom that only is gained through time and should be valued. In Asia, age, wisdom and experience are respected; in the United States people focus so much on youth, appearance and a bank account. The thing is, youth disappears, looks change and money comes and goes. What’s left? Wisdom, experience, character, spirit, faith and a hopefully a solid sense of humor. I believe anyone can start over or start up at any age. The only real road block is fear and not believing in your self.
Age should not be a penalty. Education is valuable. Experience is an asset. Wisdom is irreplaceable. If anyone does not recognize and accept this in you they are small minded and short sighted. Most important, you need to recognize and project your amazing attributes and not let either age or attitude be a barrier to anything you want to achieve.
Here’s my Yin of Young: Be Unstoppable. Be Remarkable. Be Unforgettable and Project Your Authenticity, No one can really replace You! #FearlessFabulousYou
If someone clouds your day go sit in a field of flowers.
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for standing up for the experience, wisdom and compassion of aging!
Best,
Susan