Living through the times, being a 40 something in an ever changing hospitality industry

I try to only write about things I know for certain from being in this business for some time. I have noticed lately however that the focus is strictly on the newer grads, the up & comers in the industry. My question lately however has been this, what about those of us that are 40 somethings? Where do we fit in?

I have recently started being forced to look at my age, not by choice of course. Many have mentioned over & over, YOUR NOT OLD. I am not saying that I am, however I AM thinking about my age in my industry. It does seem that priority is being given to the new kids in town, it certainly has me thinking about my future.

I have taken very few moves in the last 5 yrs, trading in a comfortable rooted spot for the opportunities to explore this country I currently live in and trying to find my place in this world. I often looked at the moves as a negative thing but you know what, it's actually a positive. I've decided to explore options and different venues of hospitality. It has offered the opportunities that others would have passed up. Sure, you could call it JOB JUMPING but I am now looking at it as exploring the in's & out's of my chosen field and learning what I excel at and what I would prefer not to do again. It has really been incredible. I have gone from venue  to venue, from Hotels larger than 1600 rooms to 60. I have gone from giant Casino properties to home town properties, all in all, I think I have obtained tons more experience than these up & comers.





With all the new training, courses and experiences offered for the new kids, what does a gal with years behind her do? TRAIN. I am 100% for continuous learning. I feel as though as we grow older in age, we tend to get stagnant and stale. I often have read of those that get complacent with their positions and when they have been in it for multiple years, they don't tend to want to change.
Look, this business we are in is ever changing like everything else  in this world but especially in this world of hospitality. Keeping fresh and current should be EVERYONE'S priority.
I have taken courses, I have read many books about the industry and what I can do to continue to excel. I'm no expert, I am every changing, that's the key here.

So, if your old enough to know what the 80's are all about, ask yourself this....... are you updating yourself? Are you involved with the younger generation and learning the new tips and tricks? Or, are you still sitting in your office chair playing with your Rubic Cube?