Join us for March's #CareersInAging Campaign
March 2024, we will be participating in a #CareersInAging social media campaign, as part of our Bright Spots calendar, to raise awareness about the diverse careers available in the field of aging and highlight the incredible, heroic individuals who work in it.
Celebrate! Your Career in Aging | In this 7-minute QuickCast, Jenna Kellerman shares several social media resources and activity ideas that
LeadingAge members can use Careers in Aging.
People are living longer and populations are aging worldwide. The demand for professionals with expertise in aging is growing rapidly. Careers in Aging Month is a month-long celebration (throughout March 2024) is observed every year by
businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world— where activities will provide important information about the wide range of professions in the field of 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.
LeadingAge and LeadingAge Texas are partnering with the Gerontological Society of America, AHCA/NCAL and Argentum on Careers in Aging Month. Raising awareness about the multitude of career opportunities within our field is vital to addressing the current workforce crisis in aging services.
“Raising awareness about the many career opportunities available in our field is crucial to addressing the current workforce crisis in aging services,” said LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan. “Workforce is the single most challenging issue
facing providers today. We're thrilled to be a part of this important effort.”
To make it easy to participate, LeadingAge Texas is providing social media graphics, sample social posts, event ideas & more for members.
Here are some ways to participate:
PROMOTE #CAREERSINAGING ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Whether you’re using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram – or all of the above – engage your communities in the conversation.
We encourage you to schedule posts throughout the month to build awareness about current job openings at member organizations -- and send displaced workers from retail, hospitality, and restaurants in your community to the LeadingAge Texas Job Board at careers.leadingagetexas.org or your
community's own job board. Include #CareersInAging in all posts.
Show your support for the field of aging—post articles, research or news. Look for #careersinaging and like, share, and comment
Be sure to follow us on social media at @LeadingAgeTexas, tag us, and use the hashtag #CareersInAging in your posts. Feel free to use our sample posts below, edit as needed, and download GSA's Careers in Aging month Toolkit for resources on how to get involved and spread the word.
CAREERS IN AGING MONTH LOGO
Download the Careers in Aging Month logo so you can include it in promotional literature and your email signature.
SAMPLE POSTS/TWEETS – JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
- Join us in celebrating #CareersInAging! We encourage you to comment on this post with an anecdote of how an aging services staff member touched your life.
- As we celebrate #CareersInAging, we want to encourage the next generation of professionals to pursue careers in this field. You have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults and help shape the future of aging services.
- Let's take a moment to thank the incredible professionals who are dedicated to improving the lives of older adults every day. Your hard work and commitment to this field are truly appreciated! #CareersInAging
- Happy Careers in Aging month to all my fellow colleagues who work in the field of aging! #CareersInAging
- I work in the field of aging because [Fill in your “Why”]. Why did you become an aging professional? #CareersInAging
- GET THE FACTS: The aging services field has the jobs of the future as Americans live longer. Check out the wide array of job opportunities available: www.leadingagetexas.org/careersquickfacts #CareersInAging
- DID YOU KNOW? The aging services field offers a wide range of job opportunities, including culinary, dining, retail hospitality, maintenance, transportation, IT services/support, and more! Explore job opportunities today: https://careers.leadingage.org/
#CareersInAging
- Visit leadingage.org/diverse-jobs-aging-services and click on the pictures of various careers to see real people working in our communities – and listen to their short recordings
about why they chose our area. #CareersInAging
- Join a team of heroes! Aging services providers are full of inspiring, incredible colleagues. Explore job opportunities today: https://careers.leadingage.org/ #CareersInAging
- I’m celebrating Careers in Aging Month because I’m proud to work in the field of aging! Help spread the work about #CareersInAging
- Careers in Aging Month is here! I’m proud to work in a field that offers diverse career paths and many job opportunities. I work as a [Fill In Job] for [Fill In Type of Company] in the field of aging. #CareersInAging
- Do you work well with people and want to make a difference? Explore job opportunities today: https://careers.leadingage.org/ #CareersInAging
- Looking for an inspirational, rewarding and challenging career? Learn about Manny Ocasio’s career journey on the 7th episode of The Mentor’s Voice. #CareersInAging www.thementorsvoice.com/ [include Manny's infocard]
- Are you looking for part-time or temporary work? Explore job openings in the aging services field today! https://careers.leadingage.org/ #CareersInAging
- Celebrating Careers in Aging Month is important because [Fill In]. #CareersInAging
- Opportunities abound in the aging field in universities, senior living and assisted living communities, hospitals, long-term care, and other workplaces. Explore the possibilities. #CareersInAging
SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS & TOOLKIT:
Download GSA's 2024 Careers in Aging month Toolkit for
resources on how to get involved and spread the word. The toolkit includes ideas for promoting CIAW, social media images and suggested posts, CIAW logos, and more!
LeadingAge has provided social media images you are encouraged to add to your posts as well.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE:
- Promote #CareersInAging on Social Media: Take to your favorite platforms-Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram-and ignite conversations within your communities. Share posts throughout the month highlighting job openings at member organizations and encourage individuals displaced from retail, hospitality, and restaurants to explore opportunities in aging services. Don't forget to include #CareersInAging in all your posts!
- Engage with #CareersInAging Content: Keep an eye out for #careersinaging posts, articles, and news. Like, share, and comment to amplify the message and showcase your support for the aging sector.
- Amplify your hiring efforts with Careers in Caring: Careers in Caring is a national recruitment campaign, launched by AHCA/NCAL, to educate job seekers about the careers in long term care and to equip providers with resources to successfully recruit new caregivers to the field. Careers in Aging Month is a perfect opportunity to highlight your hiring efforts. Visit careersincare.org to learn more!
- Host a facility tour. Open your doors to the community and host a facility tour for local students, parents, and teachers to showcase the day-to-day operations in your facility.
- Visit your local schools and talk about careers in aging. Informing the next generation about the opportunities in this profession is critical to meet future workforce needs.
- Participate in job or educational fairs. The overall goal of these events should be to spark the interest of students and give them a sense of what a career in long term care is all about.
- Plan a community celebration. Community events can be organized by local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, economic development groups and more. Talk to your community partners about how to best organize a celebration.
- Host a virtual event. Offer an easy way for your community to engage, learn more, and ask questions about the career opportunities available in your organization.
- Celebrate your staff. Host a party to celebrate/thank your staff members, and invite families of staff, residents and their family members. Recognize your staff for accomplishments, like tenure or outstanding customer service.
INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION:
Schedule an in-person or online visit with your local middle or high school where you can speak to students about your experience in the aging field and the many opportunities available to them across all education or training levels.
SPREAD THE WORD:
Submit a letter to the editor or send an e-mail to a local reporter to let them know about Careers in Aging month and the importance of encouraging the next generation to enter the field bringing new ideas and programs to advance innovation in
aging.
SAMPLE EMAIL OR NEWSLETTER BLURB
Join us March 2024 for #CareersInAging
Hey all,
This March, LeadingAge is partnering with the Gerontological Society of America, AHCA/NCAL and Argentum on Careers in Aging Month.
As populations continue to age globally, the demand for professionals with expertise in aging is rapidly growing. Throughout Careers in Aging Month in March, activities and events will be organized worldwide by businesses, clinics, organizations, universities, colleges, and various entities. These events aim to provide crucial information about the spectrum of professions within aging, raise awareness about the needs of older populations, and highlight the educational programs available for aspiring individuals seeking a career in this field.
Join us as we spotlight the incredible diversity of careers within aging services and honor the heroic individuals shaping this sector throughout the entire month of March 2024. Raising awareness about the multitude of career opportunities is pivotal in addressing the current workforce crisis in aging services.
For more information and to get involved, check out our comprehensive toolkit at leadingagetexas.org/CareersInAging.
We're excited to have you join us in celebrating Careers in Aging Month throughout March 2024!
HOST AN EVENT:
Consider hosting a virtual event in conjunction with Careers in Aging Month to raise awareness about the diverse careers available in the field.
▶ Invite a speaker to present online to talk about advances in the field and research that will provide a better, brighter future.
▶ Offer a live or recorded webinar to your local public school system about the many career paths
available in the aging field.
VIDEOS & VIGNETTES:
▶ The Real Faces of Careers in Aging
▶
Academic Job Market: What Every Early Professional Needs to Know
▶ My GSA Story -
by ESPO Chair Jamie Justice, PhD
▶ Free Webinar Recording: Exploring Career Opportunities in the Field of Aging
▶ Women In Gerontology Legacy Project
PARTNER RESOURCES:
▶ LeadingAge Center for Workforce Solutions
▶ APA Exploring Careers in Aging: A Roadmap for Students
▶ GSA Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization
▶ AHCA/NCAL Workforce Resource Center
▶ Senior Living Works
TIP SHEETS & PRESENTATIONS:
▶ "What is Gerontology?" PowerPoint presentation
▶ AGHE Bibliography Brief: A Resource for Educators in Gerontology and Geriatrics (NEW!)
▶ AGHE Bibliography Brief: My Careers in Aging Project (NEW!)
▶ ESPO Members Reflect on Their Careers in Aging
▶ Negotiation Strategies for the Emerging Scholar
▶ Writing a CV: What to Include?
▶ Gerontology Careers Outside of Academia: Broadening Your Horizons
▶ The Role of the Gerontologist
▶ Finding the Right Fit in Your Dissertation
▶ The Road to a PhD Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
▶ How to Succeed as Tenured and Non-Tenured Faculty
▶ Journal Article Rejection: Why It Happens and What to Do About It
▶ Teaching Gerontology to the Millennium Generation
▶ Challenges and Solutions in Mentoring Relationships
▶ Developing and Maintaining a Professional Identity
▶ How to Balance Work and Family Life
▶ How to Find Work-Life Balance in Graduate School
▶ Seven Tips for Successfully Negotiating a Job Offer
▶ Interviewing Strategies 101
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Use these materials to get the next generation of caregivers excited about the profession.
- What do you Want in a Career' - A 90 second video presentation for students.
This video created by Amanda Cavaleri at Connecttheages.com supports her mission to connect 5 million students and young professionals to multidisciplinary career, internship and volunteer opportunities with older generations by 2025.
- 'CNA Recruitment' - A video presentation for students.
This LeadingAge video highlights the CNA career path and features testimonials from staff.
- 'Doing Well by Doing Good' - A presentation for high school students.
This ready-to-use PowerPoint can be used for short presentations to high school students to get them excited about the profession. The PowerPoint includes an embedded video – found above – along with suggested notes for the speaker.
- 'Making a Career out of Making a Difference' - A presentation for high school and college students. The video highlights different career paths within our communities, reasons to work in the not-for-profit sector, and how to make a difference in services for older adults.
Please check out GSA's Careers In Aging page for more information & materials
Thank you to Gerontological Society of America, AHCA/NCAL and Argentum and LeadingAge
