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Sally Gelardin

Sally Gelardin

AgeSong Living

Career Roadmap

Sally's work combines: Education, Writing, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Enrichment Director

I direct a department of a group of assisted living communities, providing meaning-based relational care for every member of the community.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    University of Massachusetts-Boston

  • Doctorate

    Education, General

    Syracuse University

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Social and Community Service Managers:

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies

Graduate Degree: Gerontology

Doctorate: Psychology, General

Certification: Clinical Research Coordinator

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    Mother, HS English teacher, edited my papers in HS.

  • 2.

    Traveled, hitchhiked in Europe & worked on a kibbutz in Israel.

  • 3.

    Joined EDC, a creative think tank of educators, 9 education development centers throughout U.S.

  • 4.

    Edited textbooks for Houghton Mifflin and for MA Dept of ED.

  • 5.

    Started a retail fashion business.

  • 6.

    Earned a MA in Counseling & served as a career counselor and admin at USF.

  • 7.

    Wrote 3 books, served as adjunct professor & portfolio advisor at USF.

  • 8.

    Volunteered, worked part time and fulltime for AgeSong.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Parents:

    You should be an elementary school teacher and earn a regular income and retire when you are 55.

  • How I responded:

    I was a rebel, travelling to Europe and Israel on my own, moving to California with my family, leaving a steady, full-time job to write 3 books, then entered the field of eldercare, where I am now. I love my work at the age of 66.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • Performed work I didn't like very much (admin assistance) to earn a doctorate.

  • Challenged in memory, learning new language and in math and science. I secured tutors and studied hard.