Iowa State University

Gerontology Program
Career Opportunities in Gerontology

As Quadagno (1999) pointed out, some of the fastest-growing occupations are those in which the skills of gerontological specialists will be needed. As the baby boomers move into their 50s, more of them will require the services of financial planers to develop strategies for managing their retirement savings. Iowa State University provides unique opportunities to combine programs of studies that allow for a program of study that includes gerontology and financial planning coursework.

Another area in which demand will increase is in geriatric case work (Quadagno, 1999). The growth of the population of those 85 years or older will require more case workers to help people recover from illnesses and plan for post-hospital care and services, to provide counseling in health-care settings such as assisted living centers, and to provide grief counseling. The Gerontology Program at Iowa State University has put a specific emphasis on studying the "oldest old" and in combination with the Marriage and Family Therapy Program is uniquely situated to offer coursework and research opportunities in this particular area.

The third trend toward increased managed care is likely to increase the demand for preventive health care (Quadagno, 1999). More health care specialists will be needed to educate people about diet, exercise, and other positive health lifestyles. The Gerontology Program’s emphasis on health behaviors will address this particular need.

Finally, as a more affluent and educated cohort grows old, the demand for leisure activities will increase (Quadagno, 1999). The travel and hospitality industries will expand, as will the retirement community industries. Gerontology specialists coming from Iowa State University will bring unique educational experience that combines gerontology with a consumer sciences background.

Currently there are two basic routes for the preparation of gerontology careers (Atchley, 2000): a specialization in gerontology or specialization in another profession with gerontology knowledge and skills attached. As Atchley points out, gerontology specialists work mainly in colleges and universities, agencies on aging at various levels of government, and organizations that serve older people. People in other professions who are often required to have expertise in gerontology include lawyers, physicians, dentists, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists (Atchley, 2000).

People with an undergraduate background in gerontology often secure jobs in agencies that promote, organize, or provide services to older people. Graduate training in gerontology is essential for those who wish to teach or do research in gerontology and is often a prerequisite for professional practice with older adults in fields such as medicine, nursing, social work, and long-term care administration. People occupy many planning and administrative jobs in the field of aging with a master’s degree in gerontology.

Careers for Gerontology Specialists

Direct service provision Provide health, legal, psychological, and social services to individuals and their families
Program planning and evaluation Design, implement, and evaluate programs for older people
Administration Oversee the operation, staffing, expenditures, and evaluations of agencies and organizations for the elderly
Marketing and product development Assess the needs of older people and develop and market services and products to meet those needs
Advocacy Encourage the government and private sector to be responsive to the needs of older people
Education and Training Plan instructional programs for older people or teach courses on aging in universities and colleges
Research Conduct basic research on aging processes or applied research on how well various programs meet the needs of the elderly

Source: Quadagno (1999)


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