My first "j.o.b." was with General Elect Corp. My office was a partition in a 12 person office. A receptionist in the middle of the room and 6 partitions on each side.

In a few days I learned that I was replacing someone who had been with the Co for 25yrs. I was brought in at a fraction of his salary and he was "let out to pasture" at the ripe "old" age of 52....before his "vested retirement rights".

Then, with a month, I noticed 2 other men in their early 50's were replaced by young guys.

Seeing this, disturbed me greatly and I decided then and there, I would hunt for some way to "get my own business started" and NOT be dependent upon anyone else for my "Income Check".

And...within a year I found it....gave my "2 weeks notice" and never looked back.

I was educated and trained to be an "engineer" which did NOT involve "sales" per se. I realized that if I was going to succeed on my own, I would HAVE to do some "selling". So I read and studied everything I could on "Sales". Even went to some Dale Carnegie courses on sales. And I discovered that, after I learned a lot about "sales"...I actually LIKED IT.

Then I found that, even in "those days", there weren't many "Sales" people. I don't know why people, for the most part, don't want to be in "sales". The field is wide open....and....I'll bet that....there are few "Sales Managers" who look at a person's "age" as being the prime requisite.

In fact, the older and more experienced a person is....the more "in demand" they are....as a "Salesperson". Why? Because they can "Sell"! and "bring in Orders!"

NOTHING MOVES until "something is "SOLD".

So...consider studying "Sales" as a "backup career". Ya never know IF you will need a different source of income.

Don Alm