Juniors +40: Embracing Technology Careers and Unleashing Soft Skills in the Argentine Labor Market
the Argentine labor market , beyond its drawbacks, ups and downs and volatility, does not stop generating news. Within this framework, a new tribe emerges, made up of professionals over 40 years of age, who lived their working careers in different sectors. That is, they studied other careers, or dedicated themselves to other professions. They worked for more than 20 years in other areas, without even being close to belonging to the IT world… in fact, they just found out what IT means, and they know that it’s not just a clown, but scary all the same.
And, even so, they make the decision to see the glass full and to think that “the best is yet to come”. So, since they know that what they do with what happens to them is what defines them, they bring out their Soft Skills or “soft abilities”.
“They are people who challenge themselves, persistent, insistent, despite the fear of the new, they get into an unknown world from scratch. In that same strange world in which they entered at 20 and were devastated by those of 40, and then they had to pay the famous floor fee. Now the tables are turned and having that unattainable experience, they have to pay the floor right again, but in this case with managers of 25″, explains Johanna Dzikowsky, specialist in IT talent acquisition of the Technology Division of Adecco Argentina, leader worldwide in comprehensive human resources consulting.
Adults adapt to trending job alternatives / Freepik
But this time they are not just Juniors, they are Juniors +40. They are beginning to study and join the world of technology and they do not come with empty backpacks, they come with those 40 years full of experiences.
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“In a constantly evolving world, it is vital for professionals to adapt to change and acquire new skills. As a Bachelor of Administration, for a long time I found myself confident in my knowledge and experience in the field of business and entrepreneurship. However, over the years, I realized that what I had learned in the past was no longer enough to face the challenges that today’s world presented. It was then that I understood the powerful concept: “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” says Julián González (45), from La Plata, who is currently an associate consultant at Grupo Set Latam and today focused on digital marketing.
WHAT ARE YOUR CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW JUNIORS?
Los miembros de este nuevo segmento del mercado laboral son “perfiles senior” en su relación con los pares, porque estudiaron y trabajaron en tantos equipos diferentes, que se puede decir que conocen a todo el mundo.
Son Seniors en equivocarse y volver a intentar, porque ya cayeron y se levantaron muchas veces.
Son Seniors en ceder el lugar, y entender que un chico que puede ser el nieto, ahora le dice qué hacer, y hay que respetarlo.
Son Seniors en actitud positiva, simplemente porque si no, no estarían ahí.
Son Seniors en deseos de aprender, en honestidad y dedicación, en confianza en sí mismos, en iniciativa, en resolución de problemas, en creatividad, en flexibilidad y adaptabilidad, en relaciones interpersonales, en capacidad de trabajo, en orientación a resultados, en toma de decisiones, en visión estratégica, en capacidad de análisis, en pensamiento crítico… Si no, no estarían ahí, postulándose a vacantes que hasta hace tres años no sabían siquiera que existían.
Están comenzando a estudiar y a incorporarse al mundo de la tecnología
“El mundo IT es una oportunidad para los jóvenes y una esperanza para los no tan jóvenes. Es la oportunidad de poder empezar a derribar paradigmas y mandatos, y creer que se puede vivir de algo que da placer, paga bien y en donde en general, uno puede elegir. Y en ese elegir, está la posibilidad de trabajar cómodo, a gusto, y no de “hacer lo que se pueda porque no hay trabajo” … Porque en este mundo hay lugar para todos, de hecho, acá sobra lugar y se necesita gente para ocuparlo”, agrega Dzikowsky.
Nowadays, age is a problem for Juniors +40. And selection processes abound where the age ranges are limiting for the search for candidates; where the knowledge of someone of 50 is required, but with only 30. Where it is said that Soft Skills are valued more, but when you find the complete combo and in the CV it says “age: 60 years”, they no longer have the same importance Therefore, resilience is an exclusive requirement.
EXPLORE NEW FIELDS
When recounting his personal and work experience, Julian González says that “with an open mind and the determination not to be left behind, I decided to explore new fields and acquire skills that would allow me to face the challenges that lay ahead. I entered the world of Digital Marketing, aware that this booming field offered opportunities to grow and adapt to the changing environment. I recognized that I had to learn as much as possible about this universe, to broaden my skills as a consultant.”
“To achieve my goal, I partnered with a digital marketing agency, which gave me the opportunity to learn by doing. This decision not only allowed me to gain practical knowledge in a real environment, but also helped me understand how to apply marketing strategies in the digital age to achieve business goals. I think it was a very brave decision to understand that I was not the head of the team and I had to be the second guitar player to learn as much as I could ”, he recalls.
“I decided to explore new fields and acquire skills that would allow me to face the challenges that lay ahead”
“During my learning process, I realized that Digital Marketing is not only a powerful tool to promote products or services, but it is also essential to understand customers and adapt to their needs in an increasingly digitized world. I discovered how social networks, online advertising and data analysis can influence business decision-making”, says the consultant, who is also part of the Topic advertising agency.
For her part, Amalia Tempone (52) is an English teacher and for the last five years has taught programmers from a local software company. She left teaching high schools to enter a new world: that of a technology company. “At first I doubted her a bit – she confesses – but the salary was really tempting, so I began to study manuals, tutorials, everything, to qualify for the new task.”
The reinsertion of juniors +40 / Freepik
“Today I am happy doing this job, which involves fewer hours and the pay is sometimes four times higher. I have been working in schools for many years and sometimes I corrected all weekend. That no longer exists. The trainings that I currently give are all online; I had to learn a lot, but I gained years of life ”, she maintains.
“My bosses are 32 and 35 years old. The boys and girls I teach have an average of 23. They are all people who want to learn; They want to improve themselves and that motivates me. They are a sponge wanting to know more and more”, says Amalia, who adds: “personally, today I do not run from one school to another as I have done for more than 20 years. I work from home, I can share more with my family. It’s a win-win, as they say now, ”she laughs.
The members of this segment are “senior profiles” in their relationship with their peers
The business world is constantly changing, and it is essential to be willing to unlearn, learn and adapt to changes. As a Bachelor of Administration, I understood that my ability to face future challenges depends on my willingness to expand my knowledge and skills. Through my experience in Digital Marketing and my association with a specialized agency, I have been able to grow professionally and contribute significantly to the projects in which I am involved as a consultant. My determination to learn by doing has given me a broader perspective and a competitive edge in an increasingly digital business environment. Understanding how business models work makes digital marketing clients value my services even more”, says González.
The most valuable lesson I have learned is that change should not be feared, the uncertainty of what is coming should not paralyze you, but should allow you to empower yourself. The ability to adapt and a willingness to continually learn are essential to staying relevant in today’s world. While my Bachelor of Business training provided me with a solid foundation, my dedication to delving into Digital Marketing has broadened my vision and strengthened my ability to create my own future. In short, by combining my experience as a consultant with my new skills in digital marketing, they make me ready to face the challenges that the future has in store”, concludes Junior+40.
