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Objective: Using the framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study aimed to ascertain attitudes and perceptions of geropsychology career paths, given the present notable geriatric workforce shortage. Methods: An online survey was developed iteratively and disseminated through various modalities (i.e., internet, email, word-of-mouth). Participants included 28 predoctoral and 76 professional geropsychologists (N = 107; age M = 39.18, SD = 12.05). The sample was largely female (72%), non-Hispanic White (89%), and has or was working towards their PhD (82%). Results: Results delineate attractive and unattractive aspects of common career options (academic, clinical Veterans Affairs [VA], clinical non-VA), and assessed the hypothetical proclivity and feasibility of switching between academic and clinically focused careers. The results found gender (women vs. men) and career stages (predoctoral vs.

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More psychologists who have specialty training in geriatrics are needed to meet the growing demand. However, there is a shortage of individuals in academic geropsychology, which feeds the clinical geropsychology pipeline. Barriers to recruiting trainees into jobs in academia are not well understood. The current mixed-methods study examined trainees’ perceptions of clinically-focused and academic jobs, and discrepancies between professional psychologists actual and ideal job activities. Results found that trainees have less accurate perceptions of the activities of academic compared to clinically-focused jobs. Interviews with trainees revealed negative perceptions of the university system, including bureaucracy, salary, and perceived workload. However, professional psychologists, both clinical and academic, reported high agreement between actual and ideal activities. Academic psychologists reported desiring more time in clinical work, without reducing research or teaching time. Clinically-focused psychologists desired and increase in research and teaching time without sacrificing clinical activities. Each group discussed struggles in obtaining work-life balance.

The current exploratory study aimed to identify factors influencing gerospychologists’ career trajectories, discerning what is “attractive” and “unattractive” across common career options. Participants rated career characteristics similarly (higher starting salary attractive, administrative tasks unattractive in a clinical VA; setting own hours attractive, few collaboration opportunities unattractive in a clinical non-VA; work variety attractive, publication expectations unattractive in academia). Interestingly, men found a clinical VA’s set hours more unattractive (t(50) = -2.59, p = .010). Sex differences also were evident in career change feasibility. 50% of respondents would consider switching careers (61% clinical to academia, 79% academia to clinical). Men were significantly more likely to consider switching from clinical to academia (χ2(2) = 6.33, p = .042) and find it feasible (χ2(2) = 8.92, p = .012). Enhancing our understanding of what encourages/discourages careers in geropsychology is needed to address the workforce shortage; this study takes important steps in this direction.

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Purpose COVID-19 has devastated the United States (U.S.). One of the more notably impacted areas is the South. Compared to the rest of the U.S., the South is characterized by increased rurality, lowered access to healthcare, older populations, and higher religiosity, all of which might predispose its residents to more detrimental effects of COVID-19, including COVID-related fatalities. As such, this paper provides important considerations for individuals engaging in work with Southern, rural Americans dealing with COVID-related grief and loss. Methods A review of the literature addressing the impact of Southern legislature, rurality, cross-country factors, and faith on COVID-related grief among Southerners was conducted, with applicable considerations expressed. Conclusions Care should be taken by providers working with rural, Southern residents to attend to tangible and intangible losses experienced as a result of COVID-19. These considerations can help inform work with rural Southerners dealing with grief during the pandemic.