Catchin’ up with Our Gerontology Students ~Christine Gore
Christine Gore graduated from ACU in 2012 with a major in Family Students. Born in San Ramon, California, Christine is the daughter of Frank and Nancy Gore.
Here’s the news from Christine:
“I currently work at a luxury retirement community in downtown fort worth called The Stayton at Museum Way. I began working at this community in 2013 and started as a Lifestyles Coordinator for the Assisted Living Residents. I received a promotion and am now an accounting and human resources assistant. The whole community at the Stayton bases their lifestyle around the ideas found in the book Successful Aging by Dr. John Wallis and Dr. Robert Kahn. This book was the focus of many gerontology classes I had taken at Abilene Christian University under Dr. Pruett.
Christine appreciates so much the guidance she received from Dr. Pruett’s classes. “During Dr. Pruett’s class, he was able to give us examples and a clear vision of what Gerontology will be evolving to as the population continues to retire. The focus on Baby Boomers and the ever evolving healthcare sector gave me a great idea of what the future holds and how I can be a leader in the future of retirement care.”
Gerontology and Aging Studies figure prominently in Christine’s future goals. “I think there are a number of goals that we all have in life, but career-wise I would love to be a leader in the field of senior housing and retirement. I want to help people understand that aging doesn’t mean you have to be curled up in a hospital bed relying on people for your every move. Aging can be a beautiful and graceful process that people can look forward to. I would love for retired adults to be excited about moving into communities where they can be active and happy. Taking the stigma away from senior housing is not a battle one person can fight, but will take an army of peopled dedicated to field!”
Christine advises current students to, “Be active in research and understanding aging adults, be familiar with a direction you would want to go in the senior industry and be committed. It is not often a college graduate is passionate about gerontology; the fresh young face is daunting to employers sometimes in this field—but sharing your knowledge you gained in the aging studies program will show that you are someone who will be a great asset employers won’t want to pass up!”
When thinking about her career path since graduating from ACU, Christine cites her favorite Bible verse, I Corinthians 10:31—So whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
“Coming from family studies I was wary of where I would end up in the business world. Generally, there is not a specific direction people with this degree are expected to go. The only thing I knew upon graduation is that I loved the retired population and the wisdom they had to share. I have a strong passion to learn about the senior housing industry and these passions have made focus and try things I have never imagined! The opportunities that God has given to me after leaving ACU are too numerous to share, but I can say the biggest opportunity I had was pursuing gerontology through ACU, it set me on the right track and has given me a solid foundation on which to start my career.”
Would you like to continue the dialogue with Christine? Leave a comment here or email us and we will pass it on to her!
Learn more about called The Stayton at Museum Way by clicking on this link: http://www.thestayton.com
Note: PGC has copies of Successful Aging for your review.