To think that older people can be molded at work?

[malificent7]

Retraining atm. Have got excellent grades (99% in one exam 88% etc) on course and am conscientious on placement. The only thing i find harder is learning computer skills. Not awful at it but not as quick as my colleagues who are 20 years younger.
In this sense it is harder to teach me but im concerned that when i qualify i will be overlooked/ perceived as harder to mold.
My job involves an element of computer skills but i feel that some of the younger ones think that i will get the hang of it after being told once gow to do it and at speed.

So two things really...how can i convince future emplyers that i am as keen to learn as younger people and also how can i brush up my computing skills?

41? I'm a couple of years younger and consider myself to have grown up with computers.

Has something shaken your confidence in yourself?

Goodness me. I'm 57 and I have a colleague who is 63. We've both not only learned a whole new computer system but are now running our little office with just three months training in everything as the manager is off on maternity leave. I'm covering her job and my colleague took over from a person who left a couple of months ago.

I did train people on computers about 30 years ago though so maybe the whole 'how a computer thinks' type of thing stuck. My colleague taught herself the basics by investing in lap top and 'windows for dummies' type books, then took a couple of classes.

I agree that a lot of tech skills are picked up through just playing around with programmes and apps.

There is something about the "Oh I'm too old" stuff that gets people's backs up, as you've seen here! I'm not at all techy but I've designed a simple online application at work to track client appointments. I've co-workers (younger than me) do the "Oh, too techy for old me" nonsense but when I say, "What happens when you log in like I showed you?" I just get the blank stare. No!

I retrained as a lawyer at 41 and honestly my age and experience were assets. I was older than most of my cohorts but we all got along. It was a great feeling to be middle aged and learning new things. It made me feel younger!

I'm 58 and my 17 year old nephew comes to me for advice when he's screwed up his computer.

You're 41! I thought you were going to say you were in your 60s. I am 46 almost 47 and am really confident using a computer, learning new systems and picking things up. I am "IT support" at home and for a few friends. It's nothing to do with your age.

I've used computers though all my working life, perhaps you have not and that's more to do with it?

No-one is too old to learn computer skills. I once taught a group of older engineers to use CAD. Took to it like ducks to water! My 90-year-old mum taught herself to use an iPad recently. No problem.

You're only too old if you think you are.

Sorry, I should have added that I have nothing but sympathy for how you feel.

I had a panic attack the morning I was due to start my GDL at 41, saying, "I'm far too old, I'm going to make a fool of myself!" My husband talked me down. I ended up loving every moment of it!

I think you are your own worst problem tbh. You do yourself down and tell yourself you can't... and then surprise surprise you get flustered and make errors?

Is there access to a 'pretend' system?
Where you can review fake/old xrays and test yourself over and over? Or can you ask your supervisor for some exercises you can practice on?

I'm a few years older than you and also assumed you were 60s or 70s from the way you speak. Ditto ideas to just use computers more in everyday - phone apps, online games or quizzes, social media etc (I mean you are here on MN so you can do it!.

You control them, they serve you. Don't forget that.

Assuming this is NHS, NHS they will be so desperate for qualified staff that a job WILL present itself.

41?? I thought you were at least 65-70! You are still young, don’t age yourself and don’t act like an old fuddy duddy, you’ll be an old wife before your time...

I am 41. I didn't realise I was old.

I'm your age and the past 4 months I have learned enough to develop software for banks, government, etc. It is all in your head this blocker that you can't do things techy. Just like anything, if you want to do it, you work at it, you can do it.

@SparklingUnderpants. What software, out of interest? I’m learning python atm

41 ffs! You’re not even old

@malificent7 I'm 42 and doing the same degree as you so I totally understand! I worked in IT in a previous role (peripherally though so I always had expert back up) but new systems are always a bit scary. I'm training on CR at the moment which as you know is a bit more basic but my only advice is to practice between patients and find a friendly radiographer to run through everything with you whenever they have time.

Very best of luck! It's a fabulous thing to do but really hard especially when you are being watched

I also totally understand feeling ancient, I'm training with students the same age as my own children! I get round this by being totally immature, we get on fine Seriously though, the skills you have from having more life experience are invaluable, the techy stuff will come good with practice

I teach in FE and have a few adult learners. The main difference is kids are more confident. Adult learner click and something unexpected happens and they panic and say “what did I do omg ?” Like they have just shut down nasa. Younger students make the same errors but are much less stressed about it and more confident with solving the issue.
Time, practice and YouTube videos/tutorials will help.

I am doing a PhD at the age of 58. I'm not super smart at all, just really motivated because I love the topic. I wasn't a great learner at school and at every decade I imagined my brain capacity had diminished but it always turned out to be a blip of tiredness or loss of confidence. I did an MA at 50, struggled with anxiety that I couldn't/ shouldn't do it but I was fine.

There's no obligation to train or learn new things. But, if you want to you shouldn't use age as an excuse. My dad (with dementia) still does well with the Times crossword (but isn't always sure who I am)! There are so many outdated stereotypes about learning. 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks' is rubbish!

I'd build your confidence with an online hobby or shopping. Also if its general Word & Excel not a specific tailored package (there should be a manual if so, so you could ask for a copy) there used to be tutorials like 'how to create a bar chart' etc if you clicked on Tools or Help. Or, Google 'You Tube Tutorials on (package) .....'. There are tutorials on everything from nursing sick rescue kittens to how to build your own tree house from scratch, it's great for learning as you can pause, replay etc until you feel you've got the hang. Or, when I learnt, I had 10min guide to Word & 10min guide to Excel which are non tech speak & everything you could possibly need to know paperbacks. They were great if I wasn't sure or had a panic I'd done something wrong. Can't recommend them enough.

It does sound as though you are letting the young one’s confidence throw you off. Add that to your own self consciousness about your age (unnecessary but I do the same) and you undermining yourself before you have even really got started! That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself before you have mastered the system!

I draw out a sketch of a new interface. It helps me visualise it - then I write out a site map so I’m my mind I know where things are - although most navigation is intuitive, it still reinforces things which makes me feel secure. I also go at my own pace and try and learn systems in my own time. After a while you see the underlying structures repeat themselves and it takes away the fear of knowing a new system or being put on the spot (particularly as systems change).

I had to make myself do this as computers didn’t sit naturally with me and I am older than you and successfully avoided them at school!

I did basic course, graphic courses and constantly update my knowledge and skills when I can. I enjoy them now and am very interested in programming. I found my way in and you haven’t yet by the sounds of it.

If you don’t feel you’re too old to retrain in something at only 41, you can certainly master some basics on the computer without any bother.
If you go to google you can search free computer literacy courses or computer basics course and you’ll get a big list back! Good luck.

41 isn't old!

I studied computing at school and I’m nearly 10yrs older

I'm 49. I definitely didn't grow up digital. I was a SAHM for the last 15 years and during that time the workplace changed beyond all recognition compared to when I last was in an office.

I've now been back at work for 2 years and know more about computer packages than some younger colleagues. And I've realised that it doesn't matter if you don't know how to do something as a quick search will find the solution. This has given me so much confidence, it's transformed my view on being back at work and I'm now thinking in terms of a career rather than just a job.

As an employer (in my mid 30s in a 'younger person's' field) I'd be greatly encouraged by a prospective employee having the insight and mindset that they can 'be moulded' and a willlingless to learn. Personally, an acknowelgment you may not be currently be the best but are willing to learn and ask for help would peak my interest at interview stage. It's the ones who think they know it all I spend the most time looking out for and correcting the mistakes of because they don't believe they need to ask for help.