PHOTOS

: Ageism in the workplace is often thought of as something that affects senior workers, but the numbers show that the impact has been enormous among young professionals. While the overall unemployment rate was 8.8% in January, it was 14.2% for those ages 20 to 24, compared with 7.5% for ages 35 to 44, 6.9% for ages 45 to 54 and 6.4% for those 55 to 64. Also, according to the Employment Benefit Research Institute, 33% of workers expect to retire after 65, leaving elder workers at the top of the corporate ladder. At many companies, instead of evaluating people based on performance, employees are evaluated by seniority, leaving young workers stagnant. If you happen to be in an organization that is rooted in seniority, here are three-pronged strategy to combat the age-based glass ceiling. —Jullien Gordon

: NETWORK UP: Through mentorship or sponsorship, make sure that you are networking with people that are actually seasoned in your industry. Networking up is the most powerful form of networking there is because it allows you to connect with people who are on the other side of the door that you are trying to get into. Your peers, who have similar skills and experience as you do, can get you to the door, you actually want to know the person at a higher position who has the key to unlock it. Action: Connect with senior partners, managers and other top-level professionals. Offer your ideas or assistance with a project. Reach out with interest in being mentored or getting expertise from them from time to time. Interact with them in trade and professional organizations. If you successfully network up, you will find that age becomes less and less relevant because your professional network essentially becomes ageless.

: USE YOUTH TO YOUR BENEFIT: Find a way to show that you are equally competent despite a competitor or other candidate's inherent advantage of age. Action: Present innovative ways to address a problem, and leverage your awareness of new technologies to support your vision. Offer ideas that are revolutionary. Youthful vision, fearlessness, and ability to see the world in a brand new way are all assets of being young. Offer ways to progressively take the company into the future.