Why Choose a Career in Aging?
Did you know that career opportunities for students interested in work in the aging field are expanding? This is largely because people 65 years old and older are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. And, although there are a broad range of exciting career opportunities in aging, there are not enough professionals to keep pace with the increasing demand (PDF, 275).
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Discover Your Dream Career in Aging
How to reach out to someone with an interesting job in aging and ask them the right questions.
Set Yourself Apart
It is becoming increasingly important to set yourself apart from the competition as you look toward a career after high school, college, or graduate school.
Aging is one specialty area that may help to set you apart and provide a solid professional identity.
Study What You Like
A career in aging can be pursued from different areas of study (e.g., psychology, health care, gerontology, human development, cognitive science, engineering, law, business). And, there are a variety of options for the type of career you pursue (e.g., research, practice, education, policy). It is important to note that these career types are not mutually exclusive. For example, some individuals serve as faculty members who conduct research, whereas others do research and provide clinical services.
Lots of Career Options
Just as work with older adults is by nature interdisciplinary, careers in aging are often interdisciplinary and provide the opportunity to work at the intersection of more than one discipline.
The possibilities are endless and perhaps you may even come up with one that combines your own interests.
Questions to Get You Started
First, before you explore our guide, it might be helpful if you ponder these questions as you think about your future career:
- Do you enjoy interacting with older adults?
- Do you wish your classes addressed more aging-related content?
- Do you believe that older people can learn new things?
- Do you want to engage in practicum or experiences where you interact with older adults?
- Do you ponder questions about aging, such as why do some people seem happier in their later years than others?
- Have there been older people in your life who have made a great impact on you?
How This Guide Can Help
Students are on an exciting educational journey, discovering interests and exploring and planning a fulfilling career. This guide will help you think about careers in aging that might best match your personal interests. It provides:
- Detailed and specific questions for you to consider at each educational level from pre-undergraduate to graduate.
- Things you can do at each educational level to prepare and position yourself for an exciting and enjoyable career.
- Resources to help you at each point along the path.
- Personal profiles and descriptions of a wide variety of aging careers.
Explore the Careers in Aging Roadmaps
Below, there are two career roadmaps for you to explore and extensive information on potential careers that combine interest in aging with other areas of study. Select the roadmap that corresponds to where you are in your education and then explore the interdisciplinary careers and career profiles pages.
The Exploring Careers in Aging Roadmap was developed by the APA Committee on Aging with the significant support of Hardeep Obhi, MA.
Professional and Student Profiles
Check out our real-life stories of researchers, practitioners and students in psychology who have embarked on age-related careers and the difference they are making to improve the lives of older adults.
See more examples of psychologists and students and the diversity of their work on our Professional and Student Profiles page.
