I was one of the pioneering Twitter influencers, long before the service introduced its mobile app. When Facebook introduced pages, I became the first gay journalist to receive assistance in setting one up, complete with the blue verified checkmark that carried real weight before it turned into a paid feature.

I built another Facebook page to more than a million followers, and the Library of Congress archived my earlier blog as a significant part of online history.

I dedicated 20 years to shaping the online journalism world into what it has become. So why am I unable to land a role in digital journalism after being unemployed for the first time in two decades?

I have a feeling it relates to my age.

I was let go following many years in media

I launched my own website during the initial blogging era in 2004. After a decade, I sold it to a media firm and joined them as an employee.

I shifted focus from my personal social media to growing the company's profiles. The outlets required the accolades and visibility more than I did, or so I believed. I poured my efforts into them rather than my own brand.

They terminated my position just days before I reached the 10-year mark.

I realize I am not alone in this. Editors, reporters, and skilled copywriters face layoffs on a regular basis. LinkedIn is filled with professionals expressing frustration over being included in reduction lists.

Many have probably been supplanted by AI tools. Artificial intelligence requires no paid time off, vacations, or benefits. It certainly has no need to save for the future.

How much does age influence my job search difficulties?

Currently, I am getting by through Substack subscriptions, paid social media posts, and freelance assignments. These do not contribute much to retirement savings.

In the single interview I secured, someone much younger than me noted that my resume looked strong, but then asked, "When do you plan to retire?"

When will I retire? Only if I win the lottery.

There is a unique sense of frustration when one must condense two decades of experience into a single paragraph that might catch the attention of an automated screening system.

Adding to the challenge, I never completed my college degree, which further reduces my chances of passing the AI filters that insist on higher education details.

Current job postings demand a master's degree along with an active TikTok presence for even entry-level roles promoting corporate products via influencers. While I have thousands of followers on various platforms, the question becomes whether I have participated in the newest TikTok trends, which now counts as relevant experience.

Complications from relocating to Mexico City three years ago

Many remote job listings specify a US location requirement. Although my finances and taxes remain US-based, employers prefer to avoid the complexities of international hires.

Now I am not only older but also present additional logistical issues.

I have no desire to retire; I simply need to cover my expenses. I long to lead teams and contribute in a direct, meaningful way once more.

Until that opportunity arises, I continue refining my resumes, enhancing my social media profiles, expanding my newsletter, crafting strong cover letters, and maintaining optimism.

The situation has been difficult, yet I remain hopeful that my most productive years still lie ahead.