Celebrating You and the Aging Field During Careers in Aging Week

By CEO James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH

It’s inspiring to see the show of support that New Yorkers are demonstrating for health care and other essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re taking time each night at 7 p.m. to applaud and cheer those on the front lines.

Here at GSA, we want to embrace that spirit and give recognition to people who are making a positive difference in the lives of people as we age. The events surrounding the pandemic have brought to the forefront the need for more professionals that provide care for and services to the aging population. Thus, there has never been a more timely reason for Careers in Aging Week, which GSA has organized annually for nearly two decades.

I invite all in the GSA community to join us for Careers in Aging Week 2020, which is taking place April 19 to 25. This year, the Society is again partnering with the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, Argentum, and LeadingAge. We need your help to promote the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.

Our activities this year will be largely virtual, but that makes it easier for everyone to join in regardless of location. We’ve prepared a Careers in Aging Week toolkit, which includes social media images and messaging, flyers, and other tools to help elevate your message. The website also has resources such as career tip sheets, online resources and The Real Faces of Careers in Aging — a series of audio vignettes featuring interviews with professionals currently working in the field of aging.

And there’s a selfie contest too. The goal is for participants to become one of the Real Faces of Careers in Aging by posting their selfie to Facebook or Twitter. Each participant will be entered into a raffle to win a free registration to the GSA 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting in Philadelphia. (Eligibility requirements: snap a photo of yourself; post your photo on Twitter or Facebook during Careers in Aging Week and include a description of your career in aging; and tag @geronsociety and use #CareersInAging in your post.)

Together we can spread the word about the wide range of professions in aging and aging research, raise awareness about older populations and their needs, and inform students and the public of the many academic programs available to get one started on a career path.

As the field of gerontology grows in importance, I am grateful for the work our members are doing to improving the lives of people of all ages. We’ll make sure you’re properly recognized for your service.