“Too Old to Start Over? Ageism and the Hidden Struggle of Immigrant Professionals”

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When David moved to Canada from Nigeria at 48, he carried with him more than two decades of HR experience. Back home, he was the “go-to” person for complex employee relations cases and had mentored dozens of young professionals who are now thriving in their careers.

In his new country, the experience was different. During job interviews, he noticed the subtle glances at his grey hair. Recruiters would ask, “Are you comfortable reporting to a younger manager?” or “Do you think you can keep up with today’s fast-paced digital world?”

Despite his expertise, David struggled to land roles that matched his skills. Instead, he was often advised to “start small” or “take an entry-level position.” It wasn’t his capability that was in question. it was his age.

This is what ageism looks like, and for many immigrants, it becomes an unseen wall blocking career growth.

Why Ageism Hurts Immigrants More

  • Experience overlooked – Skills gained abroad are often undervalued.
  • Bias about adaptability – Employers may assume older workers can’t keep up with new technologies.
  • Cultural adjustment – Starting fresh in a new system makes age stand out even more.
  • Social Isolation- Migration often leads to the loss of existing social networks, and cultural distance from the host country can make it difficult to form new connections, leading to increased loneliness
  • Language and Cultural Barriers: Older immigrants may struggle with the host country's language and cultural differences, which can hinder communication, access to services, and socialization.

What Needs to Change

For workplaces to truly embrace diversity, they must also embrace age diversity. This means

  • Bias-free recruitment: Focus on skills, not birth dates.
  • Valuing global experience:  Recognise that expertise gained abroad can enrich local practices.
  • Inclusive training:  Offer upskilling opportunities without assuming older workers can’t learn.
  • Mentorship programmes: Pair younger employees with seasoned professionals to balance fresh ideas with experience. 

The Bigger Picture

Ageism doesn’t just affect individuals; it robs organisations of wisdom, mentorship, and balanced perspectives. In diverse workplaces, blending youth’s fresh ideas with experience’s depth is what truly drives innovation.

 

Takeaway

For immigrants, the journey is already filled with hurdles. Adding ageism makes it even tougher. The challenge for leaders and HR professionals is clear: value experience, not just youth.

 

Question:

Have you ever witnessed or experienced ageism at work? How do you think organisations can break this barrier?

Comments

Jovita Onyinyechi said…
This is deep but often paid less attention to.
I hope this gets a wider reach. HR Managers in diaspora need to do better.
Navigating the nuances of migration is tough enough to add "ageism" to the list.
September 15, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Elaiye Reuben said…
Hi Seun, I think you just hit the head on the nail. I have had my fair share of experiences in my journey here. I think it’s the way Africa has presented itself to the rest of the world.

Truth be told, we are the best at everything but we only show this on the negative side of things. This makes us undervalued and unappreciated. I also think there is an underlying truth here. These people know that we are hardworking and smart. They do not really doubt our potentials but they are scared that we will outshine and outperform their citizens.

We need to change the narrative by building our countries so we don’t need to seek greener pastures elsewhere. We need to stop seeing them as being better than us. Let them come look for us.
September 15, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Anonymous said…
This is so apt and true. Moving from one’s country to another is a challenge on its own and to now add the challenge of ageism in the quest to earn a decent living are one too many hurdles to cross. This hits home and hopefully decision makers begin to look beyond this challenge and appreciate substance over age.
September 16, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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