It’s encouraging to know that age is not a barrier to progress.
I learned that lesson early from a neighbor—a childhood friend’s father, Mr. Fierke. We were still in high school when he reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 at General Mills, where he managed the flour division. Without hesitation, he enrolled in a six-month training course to become a stockbroker, after which he began a 23-year career with a well-known brokerage firm. After that, he continued to live an active life.
In recent times, age has become less and less a factor in deciding when one should retire—or whether one should retire at all. It’s quite common for individuals to want—or need—to continue working during their senior years. Many businesses are actually wooing senior workers, and mandatory retirement ages have been disappearing from the horizon. Employers are valuing seniors for their maturity, dependability, and experience—and, I think also, for the inspiration their example can bring to the workplace. Mr. Fierke’s example certainly inspired me, as well as many others, I’m sure.
