Alumni Update: Where are they now?
Name: Amanda Barden
Degree(s) Received: MSG in Gerontology
Year of Graduation: 2002
Job title: Elder Law Attorney
Company: Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County
Location (city and state): San Mateo , MA
Please briefly describe your position and your company:
I am an attorney for the Senior Advocates Program. My focus is on public benefits and elder abuse. I also participate in community outreach to educate seniors on their legal rights and I educate service providers about legal issues their clients face and what legal services are available.
Why did you choose to study gerontology at the USC Davis School?
USC has the best reputation in the US (and internationally) for gerontology. It was my #1 choice from day one.
When I visited USC I was impressed with the professors, students and facilities. It thought it would be the best place for me and I was right. I learned a lot, both academically and professionally.
How did you learn about your current position? Was it through an internship, a previous job, or a connection through USC?
The job was posted on CraigsList, but USC professors did act as references for me.
Please briefly describe how the USC Davis School’s curriculum helped prepare you for your current position.
I loved the multidisciplinary curriculum in the MSG program. When I started in the Master’s Program, I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I graduated. Taking classes from many different areas helped me pick the field that interested me most. It has also helped me by giving me a well-rounded background in several areas (biology of aging, psychology, sociology, policy, etc). Even though my focus is policy and law, having a background in the other areas of aging helps a great deal – for example, there’s a huge psychological and sociological component to elder abuse.
What advice would you offer to a prospective student interested in studying gerontology at USC?
Visit USC and meet with professors and other students. This is the best way for you to determine whether USC will be the right place for you.
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