Gerontology is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Gerotontology Minor
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Social Work
Career Areas
- Advocacy/Intervention
- Counseling
- Case management
- Programming
- Public policy
- Administration
Employers
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Senior centers
- Assisted/Independent living centers
- Hospice
- Home healthcare agencies
- Mental health centers
- Employee assistance programs (EAP)
- Larger corporations (e.g., banks, investment firms, insurance companies)
General Information
- Get involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
- Supplement curriculum with coursework in lifespan development and aging.
- Complete a gerontology certificate program.
- Become familiar with community resources ranging from medical to transportation.
Nutrition
Career Areas
- Nutrition consulting
- Menu development
- Food preparation and safety
- Nutrition counseling
- Weight management: Adult and pediatric
- Teaching
- Health promotion and programming
- Writing
- Food photography
Employers
- Private Practice
- Physicians’ offices
- Weight loss clinics
- Nursing homes
- Health clubs and spas
- Corporate wellness programs
- Restaurants and chefs
- Catering services
- Food vendors and distributors
- Grocery stores
- Food manufacturers
- Food service managers
- Sports teams and athletes
- Health-related magazines and internet sites
- Newspapers
General Information
- Gain experience and expertise in a specialty area of nutrition.
- Earn additional certifications in fields such as fitness and athletic training or adult and pediatric weight management.
- Find a need in the community and fill it.
- Be prepared to work in several areas at one time.
- Develop excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Learn how to promote oneself.
Healthcare
Career Areas
- Case management
- Counseling
- Prevention and education
- Program development
- Administration
- Research
- Child life specialists
- Hospice care
- Rehabilitation
- Wellness promotion
Employers
- Hospitals
- Community health centers
- Outpatient clinics
- Public health programs
- Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
- Nursing homes
- Group homes
- Hospice
- Veterans Administration hospitals
- Home healthcare agencies
General Information
- Workers in healthcare facilitate medical and emotional treatment of patients. They may focus on helping clients and their families cope with acute or terminal illnesses by providing psychosocial support.
- Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get experience.
- Be prepared to work with multidisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, health, and other mental health providers.
- Attend local support groups to begin to understand the impact of illness on the person, family, and other support systems.
Physical or Occupational Therapy
Career Areas
- Screening
- Evaluation
- Treatment:
- Physical
- Psychosocial
- Social
- Vocational
- Follow-up
- Administration
- Teaching
- Research
- Specialties:
- Geriatrics
- Pediatrics
- Mental health
- Work and industry
- Health and wellness
- Low vision
- Hand therapy
- Driver rehabilitation
Employers
- Hospitals (psychiatric and rehabilitative)
- Schools
- Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
- Group or private practice
- Nursing and residential treatment facilities
- Community mental health centers
- Adult daycare programs
- Job training centers
- Home healthcare agencies
- Department of Defense
- Public Health Service
- Veterans’ Health Administration
- Universities and colleges
General Information
- Programs include supervised clinical fieldwork.
- All states regulate licensure which requires passing a certification exam.
- Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
- Volunteer in a physical therapy, occupational therapy, or related healthcare setting to experience the field firsthand and improve chances of program admittance.
- Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
- Individuals working in PT or OT should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
- Learn to work well within a team. PT/OT professionals work with many other professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, and social workers in the rehabilitation of patients.
- Physical or occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability.
- A doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administration positions.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
- Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
- Different fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency.
- Research requirements for your state and specific position.
- Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay abreast of new trends in the field and to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.
- In some fields, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
- Some fields offer the opportunity for post-doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.
- Get involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
- Supplement curriculum with coursework in lifespan development and aging.
- Complete a gerontology certificate program.
- Become familiar with community resources ranging from medical to transportation.
- Workers in healthcare facilitate medical and emotional treatment of patients.
- They may focus on helping clients and their families cope with acute or terminal illnesses by providing psychosocial support.
- Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get experience.
- Be prepared to work with multidisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, health, and other mental health providers.
- Attend local support groups to begin to understand the impact of illness on the person, family, and other support systems.
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