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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

What can I do with a minor in gerontology?

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SUNY Oswego - Career Services

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Search for opportunities

  • Social Worker
  • Health Services Assistant
  • Geriatric Advocate
  • Assisted Living Administrator
  • Health Educator

Search for employers hiring graduates in your minor

Employers in NY: 11,078
Employers in the U.S.: 182,401

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

Social Work
Areas
  • Advocacy/Intervention
  • Counseling
  • Case management
  • Programming
  • Public policy
  • Administration
Employers
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing homes
  • Senior centers
  • Assisted/Independent living centers
  • Hospice
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Mental health centers
  • Employee assistance programs (EAP)
  • Larger corporations (e.g., banks, investment firms, insurance companies)
Sample occupations
  • Get involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
  • Supplement curriculum with coursework in lifespan development and aging.
  • Complete a gerontology certificate program.
  • Become familiar with community resources ranging from medical to transportation.
Nutrition
Areas
  • Nutrition consulting
  • Menu development
  • Food preparation and safety
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Weight management: Adult and pediatric
  • Teaching
  • Health promotion and programming
  • Writing
  • Food photography
Employers
  • Private Practice
  • Physicians’ offices
  • Weight loss clinics
  • Nursing homes
  • Health clubs and spas
  • Corporate wellness programs
  • Restaurants and chefs
  • Catering services
  • Food vendors and distributors
  • Grocery stores
  • Food manufacturers
  • Food service managers
  • Sports teams and athletes
  • Health-related magazines and internet sites
  • Newspapers
Sample occupations
  • Gain experience and expertise in a specialty area of nutrition.
  • Earn additional certifications in fields such as fitness and athletic training or adult and pediatric weight management.
  • Find a need in the community and fill it.
  • Be prepared to work in several areas at one time.
  • Develop excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Learn how to promote oneself.
Healthcare
Areas
  • Case management
  • Counseling
  • Prevention and education
  • Program development
  • Administration
  • Research
  • Child life specialists
  • Hospice care
  • Rehabilitation
  • Wellness promotion
Employers
  • Hospitals
  • Community health centers
  • Outpatient clinics
  • Public health programs
  • Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
  • Nursing homes
  • Group homes
  • Hospice
  • Veterans Administration hospitals
  • Home healthcare agencies
Sample occupations
  • Workers in healthcare facilitate medical and emotional treatment of patients. They may focus on helping clients and their families cope with acute or terminal illnesses by providing psychosocial support.
  • Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get experience.
  • Be prepared to work with multidisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, health, and other mental health providers.
  • Attend local support groups to begin to understand the impact of illness on the person, family, and other support systems.
Physical or Occupational Therapy
Areas
  • Screening
  • Evaluation
  • Treatment: Physical, psychosocial, social, vocational
  • Follow-up
  • Administration
  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Specialties: Geriatrics, pediatrics, mental health, work and industry, health and wellness, low vision, hand therapy, driver rehabilitation
Employers
  • Hospitals (psychiatric and rehabilitative)
  • Schools
  • Out-patient rehabilitation facilities
  • Group or private practice
  • Nursing and residential treatment facilities
  • Community mental health centers
  • Adult daycare programs
  • Job training centers
  • Home healthcare agencies
  • Department of Defense
  • Public Health Service
  • Veterans’ Health Administration
  • Universities and colleges
Sample occupations
  • Programs include supervised clinical fieldwork.
  • All states regulate licensure which requires passing a certification exam.
  • Build a solid foundation in physical, biological, and behavioral sciences.
  • Volunteer in a physical therapy, occupational therapy, or related healthcare setting to experience the field first- hand and improve chances of program admittance.
  • Develop excellent communication skills which are important when interacting with patients and their families.
  • Individuals working in PT or OT should possess patience and a true interest in helping people with disabilities reach their full potential.
  • Learn to work well within a team. PT/OT’s work with many other professionals, including physicians, physical therapists, and social workers in the rehabilitation of patients.
  • Physical or occupational therapists may choose to specialize in a particular age group or type of disability.
  • Doctoral degree is often preferred for university teaching and administration positions.

General information and strategies

  • Develop a desire to help people of all backgrounds and ages including various races and socioeconomic groups.
  • Gain an understanding of the rigorous education and training required in the professions to ascertain your willingness to complete the required experiences.
  • Different fields require licensure that is generally regulated by the state of residency.
  • Research requirements for your state and specific position.
  • Plan for a lifetime of learning to stay abreast of new trends in the field and to fulfill continuing education requirements for licensure.
  • In some fields, additional training is necessary for advanced research and administrative positions, university teaching, and independent research.
  • Some fields offer the opportunity for post-doctoral experiences which can allow one to gain additional training or specialize in a particular area.
  • Get involved with programs or organizations designed for senior citizens.
  • Supplement curriculum with coursework in lifespan development and aging.
  • Complete a gerontology certificate program.
  • Become familiar with community resources ranging from medical to transportation.
  • Workers in healthcare facilitate medical and emotional treatment of patients.
    • They may focus on helping clients and their families cope with acute or terminal illnesses by providing psychosocial support.
  • Choose volunteer settings such as hospitals, the American Red Cross, or AIDS agencies to get experience.
  • Be prepared to work with multidisciplinary teams including doctors, nurses, health, and other mental health providers.
  • Attend local support groups to begin to understand the impact of illness on the person, family, and other support systems.