September 27, 2024 —Recently, The Kendal Corporation (TKC) launched a video campaign, “Careers in Aging,” developed to interview various TKC employees on their senior living careers and why it is a fulfilling field to work in. This effort seeks to engage emerging professionals, as well as the current workforce, on the importance and fulfillment of careers in aging that include various roles, from healthcare to management, from culinary services to finance, from marketing to social services, and from construction to fitness, all united by the mission of enhancing the lives of older adults.
Attracting New Employees
Attracting and retaining employees in the aging services field has gained new momentum due to a shortage of workers across all areas at the same time as the growth of the sector is rapidly expanding. As an organization with a nationwide footprint, Kendal understands that professionals in all areas of aging services enjoy immense satisfaction and fulfillment from their careers. Sentiments that are often shared include utilizing a high level of skill and education in many professional areas, the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, the ability to build relationships, and the value of sharing stories of older adults and team members who make up Kendal.
Featuring TKC All-Stars
The first videos released as part of the Careers in Aging video campaign includes interviews with TKC’s Steve Bailey, Howard Braxton, Christian Ramsey, Jason Eldridge and Diane Massey. The videos have received positive engagement on LinkedIn from like-minded organizations and people who are just learning about a career in aging for the first time. Notably, the University of Delaware recently showed the video series to future aging services professionals to share a positive perspective on the field.
Diane Massay, Director of Outreach and Engagement and Executive Director of Kendal Charitable Funds, coordinated the video campaign and was featured as one of the first five interviewees. In the interview, she spoke on her professional background, her roles at Kendal and her motivation for transitioning to a senior living career.
“I wanted to transition my skills in a new way, to have an impact on a different population of people. Working with older adults is not what we traditionally tend to believe. I set forth my career in aging to let people know that getting older does not have to be about decline,” shared Diane. “Even as we’re all aging, we can continue to find meaning and purpose in our lives.”
Vision Centre Connection
Diane is also an engaged member of Vision Centre, a non-profit organization working to increase the number of academic programs that prepare future leaders for senior living careers, as well as to increase the number of paid field internships. She has been involved with Vision Centre from the organization’s inception and remains an active volunteer. Diane works with the Silver Brick Road Committee to advance the senior living workforce, particularly towards recruiting young adults into existing academic programs and shifting the perspective of the field to a more positive view. Throughout the process, she has been able to help grow partnerships between senior living and academia. Kendal is a Silver Sponsor for Vision Centre, contributing towards the shared goal of equipping the next generation of senior living leaders. Steve Bailey, Chief Strategy Officer, is also an active member of the organization’s Advisory Council.
“Working in this field helps bring meaning to your life and those you work with. Like aging, this field is about possibilities and offers many opportunities that you may not have thought of. Perhaps, you owe it to yourself to find out more,” shares Diane.
Through additional videos, Kendal wishes to inspire the next generation of students and educate them on the variety of roles aging services can play.
To watch the Careers in Aging series, visit our Vimeo page.