Students

LeadingAge Illinois is one of the largest and most respected associations of providers serving Illinois older adults covering the full spectrum of providers including home and community based services (HCBS), senior housing, continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), assisted living, supportive living and skilled nursing/rehabilitation centers. Working in aging services can be very fulfilling and lead to long-term career prospects.

Become a Student Member

LeadingAge Illinois and LeadingAge national now offers a joint Student Membership! Join one and become a member of both organizations and the best part is, there’s no annual membership fee to join as a Student Member! If you’re at least 18 years old, a full time student at an accredited college or university and not working full time with an aging services organization, you may be interested in a Student Membership.

Apply today! Become a LeadingAge Illinois-LeadingAge national joint Student Member by completing the online Student Member Application

Student Member Benefits Include:

Student Membership Extends One Year-Post Graduation

Once you become a Student Member, your membership extends one full-year post graduation date. Part-time students are encouraged to contact us at Students@LeadingAge.org to determine eligibility

Career Development Opportunities

• If you’re a student looking for information on internships and careers in aging services, check out LeadingAge national’s Career Center and LeadingAge Illinois’ Career Center

Peer to Peer Connections

• Experience student-specific programming at events like: the LeadingAge Illinois Annual Conference, LeadingAge Annual Meeting, Leadership Summit, to build connections and gain valuable skills.
• Engage year-round with your peers online in the My LeadingAge Member Community to exchange knowledge, solve problems, and share resources.
• Join the Student and Next Gen Professionals Network to meet peers online and at events that share your desire
  to make a difference.
• Access LeadingAge technical staff expertise representing the full spectrum of aging services.

Member Resources

• Advocate on federal and state policies affecting the lives of older adults by easily contacting your representatives through the LeadingAge Illinois Advocacy Center and the LeadingAge national  Advocacy Action Center.
• Receive the latest aging services research, news, resources and communications right in your inbox, including the LeadingAge Illinois twice-weekly eNewsletter, The Lead, and LeadingAge national’s student-only newsletter.
• Customize your online learning experience on the LeadingAge national’s Learning Hub by browsing expert-led education on a wide range of topics.
• Leverage member-restricted access to resources, tools, and information, and products on the LeadingAge Illinois and
  LeadingAge national websites.

Apply today! Become a LeadingAge Illinois-LeadingAge national joint Student Member by completing the online Student Member Application

Internship Opportunity! New LeadingAge National Summer Enrichment Program

LeadingAge National’s new Summer Enrichment Program is a 10-week immersive internship hosted by a member organization in 2021. We are recruiting a diverse pool of undergraduate and graduate students for a unique opportunity to obtain real world experience in aging services. Learn more about the program.

What is the purpose?
To provide leadership opportunities for students in aging services that ensures our field is representative of the diversity that makes up our society. The intern will be provided mentors, meaningful work, and access to a professional network that will assist them in reducing barriers to leadership roles within the field of aging.

Why participate?
The field of aging is a rewarding and complex field with abundant career opportunities in a variety of disciplines, including marketing, hospitality, culinary, marketing, facilities, development, architecture, clinical, social work, administration, and more. The Summer Enrichment Program internship will provide exposure to these careers and expand your connections in aging services.

What are we looking for?
Students nearing the end of their undergraduate studies or who are in graduate school. For undergraduate students, a minimum of 2 years completed toward Bachelor’s degree is required.

Internships will be posted on the LeadingAge National Career Center. Check back often, new postings are added regularly.

Learn more about the Summer Enrichment Program by clicking on the Student Guide!

Learn more about working in aging services (below)