Five Boise State alumni from several professions gathered for a panel discussion in front of dozens of students, discussing the different opportunities a Sociology degree provides.
Sociology Department Chair Sharon Patterson described the event, coined Sociology Speaks, as a “testament” to the variety of doors a Sociology degree can open in the job market.
The Sociology Speaks event came to fruition after Arthur Scaritt, the previous president of the Sociology Department, suggested that they have an alumni panel. This idea quickly evolved into a sociology promotion week, during which Patterson visited all 30 sections of the Intro to Sociology and Sociological Communication courses to share the positive benefits of majoring in sociology.
Patterson also wanted to clear up common misconceptions about the sociology department. A core misconception she wanted to address was that work-life after obtaining a sociology degree has to consist primarily of social work.
“It’s much broader than that,” Patterson said. “Basically, any profession can and should be fed by sociology.”
Patterson noted a decreasing number of students seeking Sociology degrees, attributing it to students being unaware of what they can accomplish by obtaining one. Patterson’s response to this was to show several real examples of people who received a Sociology degree and did “remarkable” things with their careers.
The event opened with Patterson introducing the speakers, who consisted of city housing director Kiah Jones, international aid worker Kate Weis, journalist Carissa Wolf, lawyer Stanford McConnehey and market researcher Christian Hungate.
Patterson stated that extensive knowledge in sociology is a “superpower” that allows people to understand how organizations and people operate on a deeper level.
“It’s a way of living life and thinking, and we’ve been trying different strategies to bring that to students,” said Patterson.
After receiving an undergraduate degree in Social Science in 2019, Jones echoed this sentiment. She claimed that her time spent studying at Boise State made her “kinder” and reshaped her understanding every day.
“You’re able to look at life through a more compassionate lens when you expand your understanding of why humans do what they do,” Hungate stated of having a Sociology degree.
McConnehey participated in the Intermountain Social Research Laboratory during his time at Boise State. This program teaches students how to do qualitative sociological research, such as collecting data through interpersonal interactions. McConnehey said this deeply developed his understanding of the legal powers that make up society. He says this is extremely important for his work, being that he’s constantly interacting with people as well as the legal system as a whole.
“I don’t think that that’s an experience that I would have gotten in any other field,” McConnehey said. “I used those types of skills that I learned on a daily basis.”
Weis spent two years being a part of the Intermountain Social Research Laboratory, where she conducted research and mentored students. She added that the conversations and debates held during her time in the sociology department helped prepare her for the difficult conversations she faces as an international aid worker, particularly when working with countries that don’t agree with American values.
Weis also noted that sociology provided her with a broader perspective of people around the globe rather than just her community, a mindset that keeps her involved in international politics.
Patterson aimed to build a sense of community amongst the students, a goal she accomplished by allowing students and faculty to mingle for an hour after the panel. Her goal of provoking conversation is also echoed in her classroom, as she grades on students’ feedback and dialogue with one another rather than percentages.
“It’s been transformative, both for me and for the students,” Patterson said. “It’s all about facilitating learning through feedback and dialogue.”
Patterson also addressed criticisms aimed at the study of sociology as a whole. One in particular that she had her attention on was the notion that it’s biased due to emphasis on social critique.
Hungate added that he used to be a sociology critic and thought it was “nonsense” until he truly developed an understanding of it. Patterson feels there’s currently a “spotlight” on the sociology department because of the way they analyze organizations and structures.
“You need us now more than ever to facilitate conversations and educate folks on what’s really happening, not just perceptions about what these things are,” Patterson said.
