Should You Be Job Searching In Your 50s?

By Selipha Kihagi

Kenya has been abuzz with mixed reactions following the nomination of Patrick Ngugi Njoroge as the next CBK governor.

While most Kenyans were concerned that he’s still not married at 54, others raised questions about him not having any investments in the country. All these to determine if he’s the right person for the job.

Even as the vetting process goes on, there is one question that remains unasked;

Should anyone be job hunting in their 50s?

“Why not?,” asks Jackson Karanja, a businessman in the Automotive industry. “I am not in business by choice, I started off because I couldn’t find a job in this country of ours. I have a Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and if someone came by the shop and offered me a job I would not hesitate.

It might not be rosy at first because I’ve been out about 7 years now after graduating, but if I was offered a handsome pay, I wouldn’t mind. It is not about someone’s age, it is the reward you get later on.”

Jackson believes that someone’s job status should not be determined by his/her age but should be based upon passion and a good pay at the end of the month.

Stella Njeri, an Executive Assistant in the Manufacturing Industry, does not seem to share this opinion, she believes that anyone in their 50s and looking for a job is not one with a life plan.

“A serious person in their 50s should not be browsing applications to apply for full time positions. They should be touring the world and treating their grandchildren to vacations all year round. They should have invested enough to sit pretty and have money come to them” says Njeri.

“If a man I was to marry told me that in his 50s he will be looking to work in a top position in the country, I don’t think I would take him seriously. It is not about the amount of money you will get as a salary, in any case, if you had multiple businesses to show for, you would not need that salary.

This just shows you have no plan in life and there is no way i would trust you with mine”, she concludes.

Do you share Stella’s sentiments or are you leaning towards that of Jackson? Feel free to share your views below.

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