Over the Hill…At 25??
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
It’s an age-old adage, but it is pretty spot on. So, where do you see yourself in five years? I recently turned 23 and am at the point in my life where I need to graduate and find a “big boy” job. While daunting, it’s also very exciting to see what’s going on in the world and where I can throw my hat into the ring.
Growing up, my parents (like most), told me I could be whatever I want when I grow up. Well, mom and dad, I’m almost there, almost graduated, and almost about to start down my career path. I haven’t once met an obstacle I couldn’t best in my journey to becoming whatever I wanted. That is until now.
Recently, Cathryn Sloane wrote a post entitled “Why Every Social Media Manager Should Be Under 25.” That’s pretty heavy stuff for managers easily over 25 who are rocking the online social world. But what am I to do? I’m 23. In five years I’ll be 28! I guess if I am to start a career in social media management, I better get on it (at least for a couple years) before I’m “too old!”
Oddly enough, even from a youngin’s perspective, I’d say I have to disagree with Ms. Sloane. Of course yes, it’s funny to watch my mom stumble through Facebook, but at the same time, just because her generation didn’t grow up with it doesn’t mean they can’t learn. Most of the social media managers I’ve come in contact with are well over 25, so I think it’s more about the mindset. While over 25, most of them are pretty hip and very tech savvy. It’s actually impressive how much more they know about Facebook and Twitter than me, the 23-year-old millennial who grew up with this stuff.
So I get where Ms. Sloane is coming from. I do. But for her to say that all social media managers should be under 25 means a company would have to rehire someone every 2-3 years. What if a manager does really well for a company? Is there some law that mandates on their 25th birthday they’re fired? Sorry, but I won’t be hitting “LIKE” on that post.