News Release

February 23, 2007

Boise State Center to Host Panel on Careers in Aging

The Center for the Study of Aging at Boise State University will host a Careers in Aging panel discussion and mix n’ mingle from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the Student Union Lookout Room. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

At a similar event last year, at least one student was able to land a job thanks to connections made with an assisted living facility in Boise. Mary Hall-Smith, community relations director for Willow Park Assisted Living, said she hired a young man majoring in communication, with an interest in working in an aging-related field.

“One of the reasons we really like having Boise State students working here is that they have the interpersonal skills and life skills necessary to interact with seniors,” Hall-Smith said. “Having a heart for seniors, that’s the bottom line. Even if they have a degree in some other area, we can train them. We know that people coming from Boise State have an education and know how to think on their feet.”

Those 65 years and older make up the fastest growing segment of the population, affecting almost every aspect of the job market and the economy. Because of this, six of the fastest growing professions are either in or related to the field of aging, and the need for long-term care workers will more than double over the next 20 years.

Students, professionals and educators interested in how the aging population will affect their career options, professional development and growing needs for education are encouraged to attend. The panel will consist of professionals from the fields of research and marketing, legal practice, occupational therapy and social work addressing the questions of what constitutes good quality of life as people grow older and how a diverse range of professions can contribute.

Professionals from a variety of businesses and organizations will also be available to discuss opportunities in careers in aging in their fields. This is a great opportunity for students to make connections for future job opportunities, and for professionals to network with one another for future collaboration. The Center for the Study of Aging will also release its new “Continuing Education” online page at http://aging@boisestate.edu.

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Contacts: Jill Darrington, Center for the Study of Aging, (208) 426-5396, jilldarrington@boisestate.edu  or Dan Sigler, Center for the Study of Aging, (208) 426-5396, danielsigler@boisestate.edu
Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu

We’re proud to be the home of the undefeated, Fiesta Bowl champion Broncos, the national champion student speech and debate team, and the nation’s 12th-ranked engineering program among public, comprehensive universities.


 

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Last reviewed on Tuesday, February 27, 2007