Career Blog

We are excited to recognize our dedicated Resident Engagement Directors! They work to keep our communities running and our residents engaged and entertained. Get to know a few of our wonderful and talented Resident Engagement Directors!

Resident Engagement Director: Melissa Bielinski
Community: Laurentide at Mashpee Commons

1. What first made you interested in working in Senior Living?
   My first experience in senior living was during one of my college internships. I spent many hours with the patients at Albany County Nursing Home. It was a tough environment but I saw first-hand how my one-on-one interactions and daily activities could bring a smile to their faces and brighten their days. That experience definitely shaped my desire to have a career in senior living.
2. How long have you been working in Senior Living and what was your first job in this field?
   I have worked as a Program Director for the past 11 years. For the first 7 years back working in senior living, after raising my two sons, I was able to start a program at a new community from the ground up when the building first opened. It was exciting to meet the residents as they moved in, see the building fill up and plan a fun, varied calendar that was specific to the residents who lived there. After a few years, I took over running the activities program in the adjoining building. Then, 4 years ago, I started at Laurentide! Even though it was during the height of the pandemic, I knew this was the place for me and I’ve loved it ever since.
3. What is your favorite part about working in Senior Living?
   My favorite part about working in senior living is the camaraderie between associates, residents and families. When  a community works well, we all care about each other and do whatever we can to help each other out. It becomes more than just a job or just people you work with, it becomes a family.
4. What is one thing you wish everyone new about being a Resident Engagement Director?
   I wish that people knew that our job is not just about ‘having fun’ or planning fun activities. All of the programs we plan have a purpose and can contribute to our residents having a better quality of life. Keeping residents interested and engaged in Programming and understanding what each of them needs is not always an easy job to do.
5. What is one piece of advice you would share with someone thinking of starting a career in Senior Living? 
   My advice is to, make sure you have a thick skin if you want to work in senior living!
6. What keeps you invested in the field?
   Whenever I get a chance to attend a dementia training and learn new interventions or I implement a new program and it’s a success with residents, these are the things that excite me and keep me invested in senior living.
7. What is your favorite part about your job? 
   The best part of my job is seeing the residents smiling, laughing, and having a great time at a program or event. Or when they leave a lecture or discussion and tell me that they learned something new. Or they thank me for taking them out on a trip. Or looking around at our holiday party and seeing the the residents, families and associates enjoying their time together. When I am able to make their day a little better – that is the best part.
8. What is the best part about working at Northbridge?
   Northbridge understands senior living and provides us with the support we need to be the best version of ourselves for our residents. I am truly happy to be a part of such a wonderful company.
   

Start your story at Northbridge: Click here to view jobs.

View our careers website today to view open positions, what a day working at Northbridge is like, and why our associates love to work here.

As a New England senior living company, we pride ourselves in being the local choice for families in need of assisted living or memory care. We look to our teams of associates to truly make our communities home for our residents. Whether that’s a helping hand or a moment to listen to a story, our associates are dedicated and compassionate. With 19 communities in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, we hope you’ll find your home here too. If you already love what you do, and want to love where you work, apply now! We look forward to meeting you.