This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christina Jones, a 57-year-old in Philadelphia. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
Although I didn’t expect to be laid off from my business analyst role at United Healthcare last year, after 15 years at the company, I wasn’t shocked. Layoffs are the nature of the beast in the corporate world. What shocked me more was how long it took me to find another job.
I went through interview after interview throughout the next year, and nothing came of it. I truly believe it was because I was applying at 56. It wasn’t until I took a job outside my desired scope and with a 60% pay cut that I got rehired.
My husband and I have had to make major lifestyle changes, and we’re even selling our house. I’m scared about what the future will hold, but the biggest thing I feel is anger. I won’t give up on finding another job in healthcare IT. It’s my passion, and I want to continue doing what I enjoy.
I took a pay cut, but I’m still fighting to get back into the role I want
I can’t prove that my age is working against me in the job hunt. It’s a feeling. It seems like whenever a potential employer finds out my birthday, they don’t call me back, or the rejection email comes in.
In October of 2025, my mom ended up in the hospital, and I was talking to the nurses there about my job experience hunting. They encouraged me to apply to work there, and although I wanted to stay in IT, I applied anyway and got the job as a patient safety associate.
Unfortunately, it was at a very reduced rate from my last job, but I took it anyway. I’m still employed at the hospital, but I haven’t stopped trying to get back into IT.
We’ve had to make major lifestyle changes
Because of my career change, my husband and I are having to move out of our home. There have been a lot of moments of doubt and worry about how we’re going to get through this time.
We don’t use any of the amenities that we used to. We used to go out to eat a lot, but now we’re cooking at home more. The upside is that I’ve learned to cook. We also canceled our annual tickets to Longwood Gardens, and we don’t really have the funds to do fun things. Fortunately, our youngest child just turned 18, so we no longer have to financially support them like we used to.
The biggest thing I feel is anger
To come across jobs that are perfect for me and fit exactly what I’ve done throughout my career, only to get rejected before a phone interview, is so frustrating. The past year has had a lot of crying out of frustration because I know I’m capable of doing a great job, but nobody’s giving me the opportunity.
I don’t know what the future will hold, so I’ve been putting more energy into my happy place — my husband and my entertainment company.
It’s a side business we’ve had since 2018, and in the past year, we’ve focused on getting more clients. It doesn’t replace my old salary, but it’s something of our own, and we get to bring joy to other people through our content.
Many older people simply want to continue doing what they love
I wish hiring managers knew that many older people just want the chance to keep doing what they’re doing and pass along their experience to the younger generation.
My advice to other 50-somethings is if you can’t get back into your career, find something else that brings joy to others in the meantime. Through my entertainment company, I’ve found that bringing happiness to others makes life better.
Don’t give up. If you stay positive and focused on your next step, each day will be better. Even though we’re in our 50s, we’re not done yet.
Do you have a story to share about navigating a career change in your 50s? If so, please reach out to the reporter at [email protected].
