Gerontology, the study of aging, has a growing demand for a variety of unexpected jobs.

People 85 years old and older make up California’s fastest-growing population, and the job market is rapidly growing, said Laurel Sunderman, administrative support assistant, at Sacramento State’s Gerontology department.

Annette Roberts, human resource consultant of the California Department of Aging, passed out fliers advertising a computer help desk position within the Department of Aging. She represented one of the 25 organizations at the Gerontology Career Fair on Thursday.

Sunderman said when people think of gerontology, they think of health care services for sick elderly.

“The elderly don’t just need help when they are sick,” she said. The aging baby boomers travel, exercise, shop, and need home repair, among other services; this leads to a wide variety of jobs.

Felicia Oropeza, a student working on her master’s degree in psychology and her graduate certificate in gerontology, said she was surprised to see the need for computer skills in the gerontology field.

“I was wondering how it would relate, but now I see how (different interests) all fit together,” said Oropeza, who has a background in computer science. “I have a real interest in serving the elderly, and I feel that my abilities are best suited to serve them.”

Mary Margaret Chappell, an Oakdale student in the master’s program, said she came to the career fair to see what career opportunities are offered in the Sacramento area. The career fair inspired her to look into risk management consulting, she said.

“Seniors are a very under-served population, especially in the central valley,” Chappell said.

Catherine Hennan from Primrose, a company providing services for elders with memory loss, said her company is always hiring.

“It is hard work, but it is rewarding and fulfilling,” she said. She said her company looks for people who have a passion for working with the elderly, and in dealing with their challenging behaviors.

Brenda Cathey is the volunteer coordinator for Seniors First, a non-profit organization that cooks more than 400 meals a day for seniors.

“For the price someone pays for a large cup of Starbucks or Jamba Juice, you could buy two meals for a senior,” she said. “I would encourage (students) to think about that, because I think they take it for granted that everyone gets fed.”

Cathey said Seniors First has no job openings currently, but “there is always something around the corner.”

Gerontology has a special master’s program, said Cheryl Stearns Osborne, director of the Gerontology Program at Sac State. Students in the program take gerontology classes and classes in another area of study. Public policy, nursing, social work, music-even interior design-have been paired with gerontology studies by students in the program, she said.

“You retire at 65 now, and you’ve got 15 to 20 or more years of productive life left,” Osborne said. “What are you going to do with that time?”

Lacey Waymire can be reached at [email protected].