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The growing elderly population will necessitate an increase in the number of gerontologically trained social workers and nurses. This study describes the current elder-related training of 159 social work and nursing students at the University of Calgary. Further, it explores the readiness of this group to work with seniors by measuring their elder-related knowledge and attitudes as well as their motivation for a career in this field. The reasons cited by respondents for choosing, or not choosing, a career with the elderly will be presented. The findings suggest that neither nursing or social work respondents are adequately prepared for a career in gerontology. Directions for future education and research are discussed.