Former students explain how their sociology coursework positively influenced their careers and personal lives. In the testimonials that follow, students note that the critical thinking, research, and collaborative skills they gained from sociology have contributed to their professional and personal success.
We are grateful to all the students who contributed their stories to the ASA’s Value of Sociology Initiative.
“Comparative sociology was a natural stepping-stone into the field of special education. I am a teacher who works with children aged birth through 5 and their caregivers as they enter early intervention and special education services in the Minnesota public school system. In college, I learned to be curious about how teams work, how schools function (also how they fail), social problems, equity issues…”
—Laura Berquist, Special Education Teacher, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota
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“My sociology major has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of societal structures, power dynamics, and systemic injustices, which has profoundly influenced both my professional and personal life. Intellectually, my sociological education has provided me with critical thinking skills to analyze complex social issues, such as environmental injustice. Through coursework, I gained insights into the intersectionality of race, class, and gender…”
—Dionna Brown, Youth EJ Programs, National Director, Young, Gifted & Green
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“My sociology degree laid the foundation for a successful marketing career. While I have a BS in sociology, I have a minor in marketing and knew that I couldn’t market anything to anyone without deeply understanding human behavior. Understanding the way people think, cultural nuances, and how family dynamics impact education and buying behavior is the only reason I can create successful marketing campaigns. …”
—Patricia Diaz, Agency Owner, Loudmouth Marketing
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“I discovered an interest in sociology while completing core requirements for an undergraduate degree in elementary education. Little did I know that a college-level intro class would change the course of my educational path, my future career, and my life goals. I ultimately changed my major to sociology and was able to take advantage of a number of hands-on opportunities to get involved with…”
—Christine Deutscher, President/Owner, Neighborhood Development
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“I am currently working as a campaign manager for a California State Assembly race, and I could not have done it without the experience I gained while studying sociology at Whittier College. There, my classes helped me realize that there was no singular, isolated, individual trouble. Everything can point to a public issue. For example, I learned that while the experience of being unhoused is…”
—Anica Falcone-Juengert, Campaign Manager, California State Assembly Campaign
Read Anica’s full testimonial.
“Sociology has played a significant role in shaping my work and personal life. Through my sociological coursework at George Mason University, I have developed the ability to perceive people and situations in an unbiased manner. I have acquired analytical skills that enable me to identify problems and generate thoughtful solutions while considering the entire picture. One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned…”
—Cecilia Gonzalez, Manager and Piercer, New Embassy Tattoo
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“Sociology has taught me so much about the struggles of many social, racial, and identity-based groups within the world. It has taught me to expand my thinking and strengthen my empathy. It has also connected me to those who care about injustices in our society, who work to educate themselves and expand their mindset.”
—Jessica Guo, Student, University of Illinois at Chicago
“Sociology coursework during my undergraduate studies significantly impacted my career path, the clarity of my purpose, and my life in general. I had planned on using my biology degree to pursue medical school, as was expected of me from a very young age. As soon as I got started, I began to have doubts but felt afraid to change my life path. As an elective, I stumbled upon my first sociology class, which discussed the health care disparities that existed in the United States…”
—Carol Jacob, Program Director, Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
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“As a business professional with a background in sociology, I have found that my education has been a key factor in my success when it comes to improving operational efficiencies. Rather than pursuing a graduate degree, I saw an opportunity to apply my sociological knowledge in the workforce, and it has made all the difference. My sociological lens allows me to dive deeper into understanding…”
—Nicole Jones, Growth Operations Technical Specialist, Prosci
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“My sociology major has had a profound impact on both my professional and personal life. Intellectually, it has provided me with a framework for understanding societal structures, power dynamics, and the interconnectedness of individuals and institutions. This perspective has been invaluable in my work in the fields of human rights, public interest, and social justice, where I often navigate complex systems and advocate for marginalized communities. …”
—M Jones-Zamora, Student, Santa Clara School of Law
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”People are generally surprised to hear that someone in the facilities field has a degree in sociology instead of a trades license or degree in engineering. However, to me it was an easy transition. In general, a degree in sociology equips one with the ability to analyze and understand social structures, more specifically, organizational dynamics. My sociology coursework in statistics, research methods, and survey design—along with…”
—Kimberly Kelley, Facilities Operations Data Systems Manager, Epic Systems
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“It’s difficult to overstate the impact that sociology has had on my life. It was a course in medical sociology that introduced me to the profession of medicine, and I ultimately became a physician. That said, medical sociology (and similar courses in sociology) gave me the tools I needed to better understand the American healthcare system and the promises and perils of medicine. I entered medical school…”
—DJ Smithers, Internal Medicine Resident, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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”Sociology helps me see the world beyond my lens of personal experience, to see the systems in which we live so that I can reframe how I want to contribute to or change them. My sociology background also makes me a skilled performance manager within an organization. I have worked in enrollment for adult education, made possible by employer-funded education benefits for America’s workforce. …”
—Maria Soyka, Student Outreach and Community Manager, Thea Study
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“I spent many years in sociology courses as I learned how to evaluate the social constructs that permeate our lives. Sociology taught me to understand power and positionality, to evaluate micro and macro changes, and to apply the scientific method to the study of people. But what I learned is so much more than the subjects of textbooks and great scientists explaining why we do what we do…”
—Ada Van Roekel, Market Research Professional, Colorado
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“I am an international student majoring in sociology and minoring in philosophy at the University of California-Davis. As a sophomore, I had the opportunity to work, which allowed me to develop a passion for sociology. I worked for a media company spanning Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, where I was responsible for the content team and operations department and dealt with customer groups from…”
—Guanyi Wang, Student, University of California-Davis
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“In August 2018, I enrolled at East Carolina University as a nontraditional transfer student. I had taken various classes at community colleges and was actually one course shy of earning an associate degree. As a prior criminal justice major in community college, I had entered the criminal justice field as a correctional officer and held that position for six years before leaving and enrolling full-time as…”
—Jordan Ziglar, Member Services Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh-Campus Recreation
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