Learn more about working with the aging population

Careers in Aging luncheon and Third annual Social Work job fair to be held this week

     April 15, 2008 - Where can you get free pizza, soda, a peek at the future and a job?  Try the Indiana University School of Social Work on Thursday and Friday. 

      The back-to-back events start Thursday with a Careers in Aging Luncheon at noon on Thursday in the Commons room on the forth floor of the School of Social Work Building on the IUPUI campus.

      The event, which will feature the pizza and soda, offers an opportunity to learn more about with the aging population as part of Careers in Aging Week. By 2020, there will be more than 53 million Americans older than age 65 or nearly 16 percent of the country’s population.

     Of those, 6.5 million will be over 85, according to the Census Bureau.

     As early as 1987, the National Institute on Aging predicted that 60,000 to 70,000 geriatric social workers would be required to meet the needs of older adults by 2020. But to accommodate the demand approximately 25 percent of all MSW students would need to graduate per year with a focus on gerontology. But in 2001, only three percent of the 150,000 members of the National Association of Social Workers identified gerontology as the primary area of practice.

     Professor Bob Weiler will be discussing the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education and how MSW students interested in practicum placements with agencies that care for the aged will be eligible for a $2,500 stipend.

      In addition, Susan Larimer, LCSW, and MSW Student Services Coordinator, will discuss careers in working with older adults.

      Then from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, the School of Social Work will host the Third Annual Social Work Job Fair on the second floor of the Education/Social Work building on the IUPUI campus.

     The directions are simple: bring your resume as more than 30 employers are registered and looking to hire social workers.

     For more information call Rob Schneider, IU School of Social Work, 317-278-0303 or at robschn@iupui.edu.