age is just a number
What is the value of experience? It would seem in the “real world” that experience is everything. Every job listing calls for _ years of experience in a certain field. It seems to surmount education and be the primary credential for employers. I believe experience does have it’s advantages, but as a blanket term it is quite terrible. I used to work at an automotive dealership, I would have discussions with my boss about how to innovate and do things differently, maximize efficiency and help out. Whenever he felt challenged in anyway he would whip out the experience card stating that he’s been in the business for 15+ years. The situations were not really relative to experience so I was often confused why he would bring it up. I later found out from another department manager that his years of experience included being terminated from another dealership from being involved in some embezzling. Other colleagues at other jobs who have years and years of experience are often incapable of doing new things with new systems. They have experience but they don’t have the ability to adapt and end up doing things incorrectly at times. So what is the value of experience? Can someone with 10 years of experience be less qualified then someone with education and no experience? Experience is what happened in the past, how many days you’ve punched the clock and dragged your feet through another day. Although relative, it may have nothing to do with your ability to perform presently. One is meant to respect their elders and those more experienced but at times it must be questioned - why? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not hating on old people at all. I love to listen to stories and advice of those who’ve gone before - just not all of them. The difference is that some people are experienced and earn the respect of others where as others are experienced just because they’re old. Think about people you know, at the same age people are of different maturities. At the same job, some people are better than others - but if neither are completely terrible they will each gain the same number of years of experience.
Now on the flipside, education is much the same. People who graduated with you from highschool are all different and can do different things well. Even university grads are all totally different and have different capabilities. Some are very good at technical skills but have no street sense. Others were frat boys who were just there to have a good time. Perhaps the next time I need to provide my credentials I won’t be able to because it isn’t so much of what’s behind you that defines you but who you are is who you are now.
