Social Work Careers in Aging

Social work with older adults is a growing career field that offers limitless opportunities in a variety of settings. This work can be diverse and challenging but also very rewarding. We invite you to review the resources listed below for more information.

Help Starts Here
The Seniors & Aging section of NASW's Help Starts Here Web site (HelpStartsHere.org) provides some great examples of careers for social workers in aging settings (see the "How Social Workers Help" pages in each part of the aging section).

Student's Corner
If you are a social work student or considering pursuing a social work degree, we encourage you to visit the Student's Corner section of our Web site.

Careers in Aging Week

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) provides information about careers in the multidisciplinary field of gerontology at CareersInAging.com.

AGHE and the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) also sponsor the annual Careers in Aging Week, usually in April. If you are interested in sponsoring a special Careers in Aging Week event, please contact the GSA and AGHE team at CIAW@geron.org.

For ideas on what other schools have done, visit CareersInAging.com for information on past participants and their events.

Internship and Job Search Engines

ExperienceInAging.com - AGHE's online clearinghouse for internships and fellowships in aging

NASW JobLink - NASW's search engine for jobs in social work

AgeWork.com - GSA's search engine for jobs in aging

Student Brochures

Experience Exciting Careers in Social Work and Aging (PDF)
"Gero–specialists (those trained to work with older adults) are already in high demand. In the years ahead, they will enjoy numerous possibilities for professional growth and innovation." This brochure showcases some of the career paths in aging available to social work students.

Social Work with Older Adults Brochure (PDF)
Since social work with older adults is one of the fastest growing career fields, this brochure was designed to introduce social workers and social work students to the opportunities in and benefits of a gerontological social work career.