Young DUer's...ever experience age discrimination? [View All]

[Jamison]

OK, before I get into this story, I need to give a little background info. on myself. I'm 29 years old & have a college degree. I currently work for the state of Missouri where I make a barely better than Wal-Mart type wage. I'm looking for a career-change and just recently got my license to sell real estate in Missouri.

Right now, I'm trying to get on with a real-estate agency since I have my license. I've had 3 interviews so far with 2 no call-backs, so I assume they didn't want me. The other company said to me "You just wouldn't fit in here." In the interview with that company they stressed that the typical real estate agent in our area is a 48-year old female. I really think they didn't want me because of my age, but could I be just jumping to conclusions?

Here's another thing...I was telling some of my neighbor's about my job hunting troubles, and one of them who's not so nice piped up and commented "There's no way in hell I'd ever buy a home from some young kid like you!" This is 50 year old guy who claims to be a libertarian & a * hater, but then again he thinks Shawn Hannity is a great guy. Anyway, I asked him why he thought I couldn't do the job solely because of my age. This guy's reply made me pretty angry, he basically said that anyone between the ages of 18-34 should not have a better job than something like Wal-Mart, McDonald's, waiting tables, etc. regardless of education. Talking to this guy got me to thinking that I had experienced older people with similar views like this. I could give more about our conversation, but I don't want to write a novel here.

I'm just wondering if any of you other young DUer's have experienced this type of discrimination. If so, share your story if you want. Anyway, I am a bit discouraged, but I'm not going to give up on my job hunt because I really would like to become a realtor.