Gerontology

What Can I Do With This Discipline/Major?

For helpful resources on your career opportunities, explore the “What Can I Do with This Major” guides for public health.

Some common career titles for this major include:

  • Health Educators
  • Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Rehabilitation Counselors
  • Social and Community Service Managers
  • Social and Human Service Assistants
  • Social Workers
  • Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
    • Administrator for State Agency on Aging
    • Adult Protective Services Representative
    • Environmental Designer
    • Geriatric Aide
    • Geriatric Assessment Coordinator
    • Geriatric Care Manager
    • Geriatric Consultant
    • Geriatric Program Director
    • Geriatric Nurse
    • Geriatric Physician
    • Geriatric Social Worker
    • Gerontology Program Coordinator
    • Home Health Aide
    • Manager of Senior Housing
    • Nursing Home Activities Director
    • Patient Advocate
    • Personal Care Attendant
    • Program Manager of Assisted Living Facility
    • Senior Citizens Center Director
    • Senior Services Program Coordinator
    • Visiting Nurse

For additional career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Additional Resources

Internships and Research Opportunities

Getting applied experience in your field is critical. The following resources will allow you to learn more about your department’s opportunities and process, as well introduce you to other major-specific internship posting resources. For more information, email , gerontology department internship coordinator.

Careers and Jobs

The resources below are a starting point for your job search. In addition to making use of the Internet to do research, we encourage you to talk to people in the fields you are interested in (don’t forget to use TU’s Tiger Mentor Network) to learn more about specific opportunities and organizations.

Sample Resumes and Interview Questions

For major specific resume samples, we encourage you to look at the Sample Gerontology Resume (PDF) in addition to our Sample Resume Database

Below are sample interview questions for your field. In preparing for the interview, you’ll also want to review common interview questions (PDF) asked of all majors, thoroughly research the organization, dress professionally, and visit the interview skills section of the Career Center’s website. You can practice your interview skills online via Big Interview or schedule a mock interview with a Career Center staff member.

Interview Questions

  • Tell me a bit about your program of study.
  • What would you say are the most pressing issues in providing community-based services for older adults?
  • Tell us a little about your philosophy in balancing safety vs. risk?
  • How comfortable are you in helping concerned family members to better understand the needs of their loved one?
  • Our seniors are very active. What type of new programing ideas do you have to attract new residents?
  • We rely on the assistance of volunteers. Tell me about how you would go about recruiting and increasing the number of volunteers working with our center?
  • Describe how you would supervise a groups of volunteers.

Professional Associations

Professional associations offer many benefits to students, often including reduced-price membership, mentorship programs, “careers in…” information, job and internship listings, field-related conferences and publications, and much more. Be sure to check out sections on the associations’ websites related to students, education, careers, etc.