Noah Chapman has always felt at home in the world of senior living and spending time with older adults. A senior at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, Noah started volunteering in senior living in middle school, inspired by his mom Amy, – an executive director at a Pinnacle Living Community.
Noah’s volunteer roles started in the mailroom and included transportation for residents. Eventually, when he reached 15, Noah began a paid opportunity working in dining services. In addition to providing extra income during high school and adding experience to his resume, Noah found that these experiences were greatly appreciated by residents, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What started as a fun part-time job significantly changed during my senior year of high school when COVID-19 hit. I found myself working almost full-time as an essential worker,” Noah shared. “I did whatever had to be done in dining – delivering meals and expediting preparation. I also stepped into health care, assisted living and independent living.”
Noah was touched by his contact with residents, who for periods, couldn’t see their children and grandchildren. This experience was so profound that Noah was convinced he would see himself working full-time in a senior living community after attending college.
Returning to Pinnacle Living
After completing his junior year at Christopher Newport University, Noah returned home to intern at Hermitage Richmond, a Pinnacle Living community and sister site to Cedarfield, where his mother Amy serves as Executive Director.
“I took this internship to expose myself to all areas of senior living. Most of my experience has been in dining services, which interests me. But I have learned that I am also intrigued by other areas I’ve been exposed to during my internship,” shared Noah. “For example, I had a rotation in nursing and really enjoyed my time in this area.”
While the academic experience was the primary motivator for engaging in the internship, to Noah, the residents were the highlight of his experiential opportunity.
“Residents are the best,” he shares. “They offer support and kindness and invest in you as individuals.”
Noah has seen over his many years of volunteering and employment at Cedarfield and Hermitage Richmond how important team members in the communities are in the lives of residents. “They are truly happy to see us, and they like us and accept us unconditionally.”
The Best Job in the World
After his 10-week internship at Hermitage Richmond, Noah now understands why his mother, Amy, has always said she has the best job in the world. “My mom started working in senior living at 21 when she graduated college. It’s funny to think that I may follow the same path.”
Noah advocates that more young people consider the field of senior living and set aside the impressions that they may have gathered from their parents or visiting their grandparents. “In many cases, senior living communities offer activities and programs that could compete with local colleges and universities,” he shares. He also stresses that there are employment opportunities for any student regardless of the field they study or their areas of expertise.
Noah is on track to graduate from Christopher Newport University in May of 2025 with a degree in sociology.
