A 56-year-old career pivot into sports

Mannix moved to Tacoma, Washington, seeking a fresh chapter. While she possesses the financial stability to forgo traditional employment, she remains driven by a desire to contribute to the sports industry. She suspects that recruiters view her age and seniority as a liability, questioning her motives for seeking junior positions or doubting her long-term commitment. The lack of response from employers has eroded her confidence, transforming her from a seasoned professional into an anonymous applicant struggling to gain a foothold.

Faced with a stalled job search, Mannix has begun building her own business. She is curating group excursions to women’s sports events, leveraging her local network to foster a community of fans. By joining organizations like the Seattle chapter of Women in Sports and Events, she is shifting her strategy from digital applications to face-to-face networking. She maintains that her years in risk management provided transferable skills that could benefit any organization, and she remains hopeful that her unique blend of professional discipline and genuine enthusiasm will eventually resonate with the right hiring manager.