First a GMC major must be sure they have picked the correct major. The first year of study at GMC is critical in picking a major. Fortunately, the GMC curriculum is loaded with a smorgasbord of introductory courses of which an undecided major should take full advantage off. These introductory level courses are taught by a highly motivated faculty guided by a vigorously diligent administration. While taking advantage of this buffet of courses the GMC student must pick the field study that invigorates their enthusiasm and passion.
Should the GMC student pick Sociology they will be engaging in a cognitively reflective critical thinking discipline? Dr. Roger Dunham the current chairperson of the Sociology Department at the University of Miami recalls his first sociology class, “I was hooked within the first week and found myself fascinated with the opportunity to do scientific research on addiction and criminal justice”. Criminal justice, addiction studies and social research in particular grant writing are all career options for Sociology majors. Grant writers with training in Sociology typically find employment with research foundations, government agencies, school districts, non-profits, and police departments. Dr. Fred Gilbert a Sociology major is both the vice president and compliance officer for Title Nine at Mojave College in Arizona,” A Sociology background has helped me deal with the complex ambiguities of human behavior when applying legislation such as Title Nine”. Sociology majors with Bachelors, Masters or PhDs can find administrative employment at colleges, school districts, police departments, hospitals, and government agencies. Virginia Cevasio a Sociology major and CEO of CARES a nonprofit suicide organization, “Every day is different and Sociology helps me understand the many barriers human beings must overcome daily. My suicidal clients look to me to help them overcome barriers that would be unimaginable for the average person to understand. Without my Sociology background my support for them would be very limited”. Non-profits such has CARES offer unlimited opportunities for Sociology major. CARES employs counselors, administrators, and grant writers. With a Master’s degree in Sociology a former student of mine Isaac Christiansen worked for a peace organization with in the United Nations, “Sociology taught me the skills to not only understand diversity but to appreciate”. Mr. Christianson’s job took him to Angola and Cuba. He now speaks both Spanish and Mandiga fluently. Having very recently completed his Ph.D. Dr. Christiansen will be teaching at Grandview College in Des Moines, Iowa and then moving on to a research career.
Sociology is also great preparation for many jobs within the criminal justice system. Penology is a study within Sociology where students can learn how to manage a correctional facility. Prison building has been a booming business in America. Correctional officers and prison wardens have Sociology backgrounds. Police officers with Sociology backgrounds have stated that Sociology helps them to be proactive in their job rather the reactive. Sociology is a great major for law school. Most criminal lawyers have Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology.
Finally, journalists with Sociology backgrounds have had tremendous success. For example, my esteemed colleague distinguished war journalist Dr. Christian Parenti author of best seller, “The Freedom” and the Tribeca film winner for the documentary “The Taking of Ajmal” leaves us with the following quote,” Sociology gave me the ability to put facts, narrative, and character in a broader context. This in turn helps me understand the real meanings of the current events I was reporting such as when I was covering undercover both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Narrative is not merely unfolding events, it is also the unfolding of competing events, which is the struggle of natural resources. These deeper structures are part of the real news and they require historical and sociological analysis to be fully understood. In my opinion training in journalism is actually inefficient for being a credible journalist. Complimentary training in Sociology is essential for building a critical mind and thus for being a journalist.”
Michel Granata (Sociology Professor GMC online)
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