CAREERS IN AGING WEEK (April 10-16, 2011)
Careers in Social Work & Aging Awards

The Geriatric Social Work Initiative is pleased to have partnered with The Gerontological Society of America and the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education to provide $200 awards to Schools of Social Work who are planning CIAW events. Following is a list of schools who received funding along with a description of the events that they have planned.

Congratulations to the following recipients of 2011 Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) awards:

University of Arkansas School of SW
New York University Silver School of SW
Indiana University School of SW
Ohio University Department of SW
Hunter College School of SW
Temple University College of Health Professions & SW
University of Washington, School of SW
Loyola University School of SW
Saint Louis University School of SW

Click here to view pictures and summaries of the 2011 CIAW Events described below.

CIAW Award Winners

University of Arkansas School of SW
Planning a Careers in Aging Week event focusing on a presentation of educational and job opportunities for aging careers in Northwest Arkansas. On Tuesday, April 12th, a student-created video will showcase 4 area organizations that specialize in care for the older population, including those who provide social activities, housing, health care, education and caregiver support. The film highlights services, job opportunities, building tours, and interviews with professionals. A panel discussion will follow the film screening. For more information contact Dr. Alishia Ferguson at ajfergus@uark.edu or 479-575-6417.

New York University Silver School of SW
The Gerontology Student Collective will host a panel discussion with NYU Sliver school alumni and other professionals who work within the field of social work & gerontology. Reception and networking will follow the panel discussion tentatively scheduled for April 6th. For more information contact Susan Stiefel at sms225@nyu.edu.

Indiana University School of SW
A second annual "Careers in Aging Panel Presentation" activity is planned for BSW & MSW students on Tuesday, April 12th. The panel will once again be comprised of members of the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education University-Community Partnership. These are professionals and practicum students working with older adults in the community who will discuss their jobs/field placements and what they like about working with older adults. For more information contact Robert Weiler at rweiler@iupui.edu or 317-274-6707.

Ohio University Department of SW
CIAW events at Ohio University include the following:

• Monday, April 10th: Expert panel on career/job trends in aging
• Wednesday, April 12th: Open house in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. Information will be provided about the gerontology certificate program and majors and professions specializing in work with older adults. Community members & professionals working with older adults are invited to attend. This will also be a networking opportunity for students, to encourage future job and internship opportunities.
• Thursday, April 13th: Screening of the documentary, "Young at Heart" followed by a panel discussion.

For more information contact Dr. Natalie Pope at popen@ohio.edu.

Hunter College School of SW
A CIAW luncheon will be held on Thursday, April 14th to include a panel and discussion sponsored and organized by the Student Alliance for an Aging Society. The panel will feature 3 MSW students and their supervisors from organizations that serve diverse elders across New York city. The student-supervisor panel provides an opportunity for sharing and dialogue from the perspective of students entering the field of aging and supervisors in their middle or late careers. For more information contact Dr. Nancy Giunta at nancy.giunta@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-452-7149.

Temple University College of Health Professions & SW
The Career Center and College of Health Professions & SW are partnering with GenPhilly's annual event related to careers in aging called Career Boom: Job Security in an Aging America. GenPhilly is an innovative peer-led organization in Philadelphia that is bringing the "cool factor" to the field of aging by engaging and connecting emerging leaders in their 20s & 30s. This year's event will be held on Wednesday, April 13th. The various disciplines in aging will be showcased by: providing resource tables, networking opportunities, and speakers in various areas of aging. Following a keynote by Lydia Hernandez, Deputy Mayor for Aging in Philadelphia, there will be 5 five minute "lightning talks" from various professions in the field to include: Academia, Social Services, Arts, Housing and Urban Planning. For more information contact Dr. Gail Glicksman at gailglicksman@temple.edu or 215-707-8741.

University of Washington, School of SW
An annual career fair will be held on April 14th and non-profit, government, & for profit agencies who provide services to older adults will be present. On Apirl 15th, a panel discussion titled "Aging is a Social Justice Issue: Ageism, Racism, Heterosexism" will be held. Panelists will be older adults who will addresss the intersection of these issues. Renowned national speaker, author, & teacher, Wendy Lustbader, will provide an overview of the topics and moderate the panel. For more information contact Susan Dailey at dailes@uw.edu or 425-825-9993.

Loyola University School of SW
A film/dinner discussion is planned for April 8th. The film is GenSilent and the director has accepted an invitation to lead the discussion on growing older in the LGBT community. The organizers hope to attract students in social work, psychology, law, medicine and nursing as well as interested members of the professional community and neighborhood. For more information contact Dr. Marcia Spira at mspira@luc.edu or 312-915-7580.

Saint Louis University School of SW
On Thursday, April 14th, a film screening and Q&A session is planned. The event is free and will include popcorn and beverages. The film is titled "Aging in America: The Years Ahead." Filmmakers Julie Winokur & Katie Buono, with photographer Ed Kashi, crossed the US speaking with well and infirm older people to create this video that gives insight into different styles of growing old in America and challenges society's stereotypes of what it means to grow older. The Q&A panel will include students in the social work program who are working on a certificate in gerontology as well as social work and gerontological faculty from across the campus. For more information contact Dr. Susan Tebb at tebbsc@slu.edu or 314-977-2730.

For information about other planned Careers in Aging Week events and activities, click here.