2009 Whalen Symposium Student Presenters on aging-related topics, L to R: Joshua Neurer, Laura Darlak, Caitlin Pautz, Elizabeth Ng Mayberry, Meaghen Amato, Lauren Mossien, Sabrina Higgins, Margaret Burgess and Anne Bollinger. Aging Studies faculty member Elizabeth Bergman sponsored the Gerontology Institute Session. See the list of presentation titles.
If you are looking for a rewarding and creative career path, the aging studies major can help you get there.
The number of older Americans is unprecedented. The future will be in the hands of those who study aging. With a degree in aging studies you'll be especially prepared for the jobs created to serve this population -- jobs providing housing, transportation, health care, recreation, and more. Or you might become an educator or researcher studying sociology or psychology relating to older adults. You might consult with businesses to design products or develop services that benefit older adults. And the relative newness of the field means that starting your own business or coming up with an innovative idea are distinct possibilities.
An August, 2009 article on CareerBuilder.com lists Gerontology as an "uncommon (or overlooked) major" that can lead to a job in an emerging field. Check out that article here.
Aging studies majors choose one of four concentrations: counseling, health promotion, recreation and leisure, or management and administration -- all areas that contribute towards a future in the field of aging. Alternatively, students may choose to work with an adviser to create a 21-credit concentration based on their interests and career goals.
Even though the major is relatively new to our campus, the program is administered through the Gerontology Institute, which has been established for years and has a national and international reputation of excellence. The Institute's partnership with Longview, an adult residential facility located very near the College, provides a unique learning experience for our students. This partnership features intergenerational programming which allows older adults to take classes on our campus and also encourages our students to become involved in activities at Longview.
To learn more about the Gerontology Institute and our Longview partnership, visit Gerontology at Ithaca.
