Career Field Overview
Advocates work to promote change at the societal, policy, and individual level helping to make sure all people’s voices, needs, wants, and opinions are heard. An advocate with a gerontology background will understand not only the impact that ageism (which includes prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination) has on the quality of life of people of all ages, but also the value of engaging people of all ages in advocacy efforts (even when those efforts aren’t focused on aging-related issues). Advocates with gerontology backgrounds know how to engage people of all ages, including policy makers and community members to make impactful change.