In celebration of Careers in Aging Month, we are excited to announce the kickoff of our 2025 Career Conversations series with a professional development session focused on team building. Many of us collaborate and work as part of teams and organizations, but what happens when we find ourselves in the leadership seat? This event will provide insights, stories, tips, and strategies to develop your research team successfully.

Are you a Mid-Career scholar who is thinking of moving to a different position or institution? We bring together a group of panelists who will share their journeys in making such transitions as well as their experiences with the decision-making process, considerations, and goals related to a potential transition to advance one’s career.

As a member of a large professional organization, it may seem a bit daunting to find your way in. At GSA we have a solution: join an interest group (or two or three or as many as you like). Interest groups are a great way for members to connect with others from various disciplines who share their interests in a particular topic. Join us for this special Careers in Aging Month Career Conversation featuring GSA members who have “found their people” through interest groups and utilize interest groups to advance their careers.

Do you engage in mentoring activities in your professional development? Join us for our Career Conversation, “Approaches to effective mentoring.” Our panelists will share their perspectives on mentoring philosophies and approaches, as well as practical tips, facilitators and barriers to effective mentoring.

Are you a new or early career faculty member wanting to increase your scholarly productivity? Join us for our upcoming Career Conversation to learn about our Advancing Gerontological Expertise through Scholarship (AGES) Program. This program provides mentorship, motivational speakers, peer support, and enhances productivity through co-authorship opportunities! Time will be included for audience questions about the program and application process.

Career Conversations is back again to discuss gerontology careers outside of the university setting! Join us for this Career Conversation, "Non-Academic Careers in Gerontology: Policy Edition." Our panelists have roles within different organizations focused on applied research and evaluation, advocacy, and public policy. Time will be included for audience questions.

Are you planning to apply for your first tenure track position in the basic, social, or health sciences? Join us for our Career Conversation, “Interviewing for your First Tenure Track Position.” Our panelists have backgrounds in basic, social, and health sciences and represent various perspectives on the interview process including a recent tenure track applicant, a mentor, and a search and screen committee member. Time will be included for audience questions.

Wondering how to open a research center, but not sure how to get started? Join us for our Career Conversation, “Top Tips for Opening a Research Center.” During this session, our diverse panelists will share their innovative strategies and experiences on establishing a research centre. Time will be included for audience questions.

Wondering how to communicate your research on social media? Join us for this session, “Using Social Media to Share Research: Strategies, Tips, and Techniques.” During this session, our diverse panelists will share their innovative strategies and insights to promote research on social media. Time will be included for questions from the audience.

Finding that “just right” person for a role can take time, patience and a lot of work. If you are responsible for building a team or will be soon, join us for this Career Conversation, “Finding the Right Fit: Recruiting Post Docs and Students.” During this interactive discussion, our panelists who come from different backgrounds and disciplines in gerontology, will share what they look for in candidates and how they ultimately determine who to admit or hire, including strategies and tools to enhance the recruitment process and assess candidates. Whether you are new to the recruiting process, experienced in hiring graduate students or postdocs, or a trainee looking to learn more about the recruitment and hiring, this conversation is for you! Time will be provided for questions from the audience.