Become a Gerontologist

Gerontologists are professionals with expertise in aging and older adults. Unlike geriatrics, which focuses only on medical treatment of the elderly, gerontology is based on a multidisciplinary approach to the physical, mental, and social realms of aging. Therefore, gerontologists can work in many different fields. You can become a gerontologist by choosing which career path you want to take, attending school to get the degree you want, and finding a job in your desired field.

Steps

Job Options and Education Requirements

1. Think about what job you want and how advanced you want your career to be. This will take some research on your part, because the discipline of gerontology is huge and varied – your options are almost limitless! Ask yourself, “What do I want to do everyday to work with or for the elderly?” If someone has the job you want, ask them about their career path. You can say something like, “What kind of degree did you have to get for this job?” or, “What did you major in?”
   • Few people are a good fit for working with the elderly in the long term. Do some soul searching and determine if you have the patience, stamina and endurance to take up this kind of career. It can be very challenging to deal with death, Alzheimer's and terminal illnesses, but also potentially very rewarding.
   • Think about volunteering in nursing homes or finding a part-time job at one before deciding on this career path.
   • Once you have an idea of what kind of job you’d like to have, start to consider how advanced you want your job to be – this will influence how much school you need to do. Try to pinpoint your desired field and level of work responsibility, so you know what degree to pursue.
   • One major benefit of gerontology is job security. With increasing numbers of elderly people it will be a fast growing profession for the foreseeable future.
2. Before you get into this profession, consider your own age. If you are a young graduate you age difference may be too far apart with your patients for you to engage with them properly. If you are already 50 and stay in the profession for 15 years, then you will be as old as your patients, which may also not be a good fit. Age is not important for everyone, but you should consider if it will make a difference for you.
3. Know requirements for your schooling. Talk to peers, friends, and people who work in the field to get a good idea of what school or program is a good fit for you. Decide what degree to pursue, and check with the program to see what is required of you to get in. You will probably need a high school diploma or GED to get started, and there may be other requirements. When deciding on a degree, keep in mind generally how much time goes into it:
   • Getting your Associate's in a field related to gerontology (nursing, psychology, social work) will likely qualify you to work in entry-level positions. You can usually get an Associate’s degree in 2 years, and programs are available at local Community Colleges. However, having only an Associate's will limit your career since there are not many jobs will accept this qualification.
   • Most people who become gerontologists get a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or nursing. Other possible majors are biology, sociology, or a health-related field. Bachelor’s degrees usually take 4 years to earn. Some colleges and universities do offer specific Bachelor’s degrees in gerontology, but it’s not very common – check with your school to see if you can at least minor in it.
   • To get your Master’s, you have to first complete a Bachelor’s degree and then do another 2 years of school on average. Some colleges and universities offer programs that are dual Bachelor’s and Master’s at the same time, but that varies by school.
   • Get your Doctorate if you want to do research or teach. A PhD usually takes about 8 years to earn – 4 years getting a Bachelor’s degree, and then another 4 years to obtain your Doctorate. You will also have to write a long thesis paper or do a major project.
   • Consider a Graduate Certificate if you already have a Master’s degree and are just switching fields. A Graduate Certificate usually takes 1-2 years to get.
4. Go into administrative gerontology. There are three main branches of gerontology, and choosing one to pursue will give you a good idea of where to start: administrative, academic, and applied. Administrative gerontologists work on programs for the elderly. You can help to plan, enact, and monitor such programs. Be an administrative gerontologist if you’re interested in program development, such as in a care center, nursing home, or hospital.
   • You probably need a Bachelor’s degree to get an entry- to mid-level position such as a Program Coordinator or Case Manager.
   • Realize when going into administrative gerontology other disciplines are accepted, which makes the competition for positions somewhat greater.
   • Getting a Doctorate degree may enable you to work in a high-level position in administration, like Program Director.
5. Be an academic gerontologist. Gerontology researchers can focus on medical issues, such as diseases that affect older adults, social questions, like how to prevent depression during aging, questions about the physical process of getting older, how having an aging population affects society, and much more. Usually, gerontologists approach disease from an epidemiological perspective. Academic gerontologists might also teach at the university level, and be responsible for writing grant proposals.
   • You may be able to work or intern with a research facility with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, as part of a research team. You may also be able to be a Teacher’s Aide.
   • With a Master’s degree, you can become an Academic Researcher, though most will have a Phd.
   • To be the Principle Researcher on a project, you will likely need a Doctorate degree. With a PhD, you can also teach at a University level.
   • Grant proposal can be an interesting career path. It can be lucrative when at the top, but at the same time socially satisfying.
6. Consider a career in applied gerontology. An applied gerontologist, or practitioner, works directly with older adults and interacts with them on a daily basis. Applied gerontologists can also be nurses, psychiatrists, counselors, or therapists.
   • You can also be a Senior Advocate, linking older adults to the world by assisting them with health insurance and medical care, helping with paperwork, aiding them in getting jobs or doing volunteer work, and getting them involved in the community and activities.
   • You will probably need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree to be a Social Worker, though this will require further basic courses and training beyond that associated with gerontology.
   • Get your Master’s degree to get jobs like Program Planner or Geriatric Care Manager. You can also be a Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner in geriatrics with the right Master’s degree, though this involves a longer training period with more hours, hands on tests and courses.
   • You’ll need a Doctorate (MD) to be a psychiatrist or Geriatric Doctor.

Career Opportunities

1. Get a job in gerontology. There’s no single right way to get the job you want in gerontology, since the field is so varied. If you know someone with the job that you want, talk to them about where they went to school, what they majored in, what degree they have, and if they have any suggestions for pursuing a job like theirs. While you can look on job websites like Indeed.com or CareerBuilder or check with local hospitals, nursing homes, or care centers to see if they have job postings, it is usually best to think about jobs you might want when working in the field as a volunteer or doing an internship. Ask if you can buddy up with someone at the facility for a few days to see their routine and gain some experience.
   • Often the university you go to will offer career services for alumni.
   • Join a professional organization to network and have access to their career services, as well.
   • Take advantage of gerontology newsletters, which often contain job postings.
2. Join a professional organization. Professional organizations offer opportunities for more training and education, credentials for getting better and higher paying jobs, and the access to publications and resources pertinent to the field of gerontology.
   • The largest gerontology association in the United States is the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). National Conferences for gerontologists are held annually through this organization. Membership costs $185 yearly and you get access to online publications, career services, and other professional help. Gerontology students get a reduced membership rate ($87) to join GSA and have access to mentoring, networking and career services.
   • The National Association for Professional Gerontologists (NAPG) offers continuing education courses for members. Credentials are renewed biannually with the completion of 20 hours of approved activities such as presentations, meetings, conferences or classes.
   • You can also find professional organizations by your specific field in gerontology, like the National Gerontological Nursing Association (NGNA) or the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), or by your region, such as the Oregon Gerontology Association or the Massachusetts Gerontology Association (MGA).
3. Seek out continuing education opportunities to stay current. Continuing education is a popular option for students looking for just a few specific classes on a given topic in gerontology. It's less expensive than a certificate or other full-program in gerontology, and you get to take only the classes that apply for the job you want. Once you graduate and have a job, most positions require that you obtain continuing education in order to stay current with training.
   • You can likely get these through your professional organization.
4. Gain experience with an internship. Often required in educational programs, these opportunities can sometimes lead to permanent employment. You can also seek out internships before you start school to help you decide which field you’re interested in, or once you graduate to trial different realms of gerontology. Most internships are unpaid but can be great learning opportunities.
5. Volunteer your services with agencies in the field. Not only can volunteer work lead to paid positions, it can also provide valuable networking opportunities for your job search. Even if you’re already working in the field, you can gain knowledge about other realms of gerontology while contributing to society.
   • These agencies can include your local state department of aging, housing agencies for low-income senior citizens, and wellness centers for the elderly. You can also volunteer at retirement homes, senior centers, and geriatric offices.
   • As a student, you can also check into the possibility of volunteering for a faculty member's research projects to gain experience and knowledge.
   • Be proactive in having exposure to many jobs which you may be interested in. Talk to employees and say you are a student or new graduate considering which career path to choose. You may also be able to form relationships which could lead to job opportunities.

Tips

• The job options listed above are examples. There are many other jobs in which a gerontologist can succeed. Anything having to do with the elderly – from architecture to medicine to teaching – is a possible job for you. Be creative and find yourself a great fit!

References

See also

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