Sociology Careers and Comments
Jake H., 2022, Chief Administrative Officer - Law Firm: No matter what you do in life you are going to have to work with people. Whether you are going to graduate school or immediately starting your career you must learn to cooperate with other people of all backgrounds to be successful. What drew me to sociology was the wide variety of social and political topics discussed and evaluated and the many different perspectives about each topic that were heard. When you learn to listen to others and understand why they believe and think the way they do, it creates an environment where cooperation can thrive. I now work as the Chief Administrative Officer at a law firm and every day I work alongside other people and work in teams where everyone has opinions. The sociology department has prepared me to excel in research, analysis, critical thinking, and collaborative projects. Not only are these skills important for succeeding in whatever your chosen career path is, these skills are critical for life and will benefit you immeasurably
Matt B., 2021, Graduate Student - Forensic Psychology: I did not start out as a Sociology major but I’m grateful that I ended as one. Becoming a sociologist allowed me to understand the root of problems impacting my community and provided me with the tools necessary to combat them. The faculty in the Sociology department provided me with numerous opportunities to explore career interest and also ensured that the work that I did in their classes was applicable to my next steps in life. Currently I am graduate student pursing an M.S. in Forensics Psychology and also working full time as an Outreach Coordinator at a university. My Sociology education prepared me to take on graduate level coursework as throughout my time with the department, I was consistently prompted to go beyond the bare minimum by my professors and was even given the chance to engage in both applied sociological research with my peers and also conduct my own independent study. In my current role, I assist first generation, low-income, and disabled K-12 students in accessing a higher education and as a Sociologist, I am able to critically analyze what problems that they and their families face and use evidence-based solutions to support these disadvantaged students. Baylor Sociology has provided me with a strong foundation that has enabled me to not only serve underrepresented communities, but also to achieve further academic success.
Jordyn A., 2021, Clinical Research Assistant: Sociology changed my world view. I always considered myself aware of the way the world works and therefore the injustices it has, but it wasn't until I switched my major to sociology that I realized how engrained our sociopolitical ideals are in our cultural structure and norms. Sociology opened my eyes to critically evaluate how every action or decision made by one group has a reaction on others. It made me a better advocate, a better healthcare professional, and just a better person. I learned how to be a more critical thinker, effectively research topics unfamiliar to me, and communicate respectfully with my peers. Sociology changed my life by causing me to re-evaluate my life goals and ambitions. I would not have the job I have today or be in the graduate program that I am in without the support and coaching of the Baylor Sociology Faculty. Being a sociology major was invaluable to my career but more importantly to who I am as a person!
Ty, H., 2020, Associate Client Engagement Manager - Technology: Sociology expanded my understanding of different subgroups in the United States and across the world. That insight into the experiences of specific demographics helped strengthen my ability to build deep, meaningful relationships with people of all life backgrounds. It also helped me to become a more empathetic person, not only to others but also myself.
Sociology also gave me the knowledge I needed to engage with a variety of sociopolitical issues substantively & confidently. This helped me to be seen as an authority on these topics in most of my social circles, gaining the respect of my peers/friends.
Finally, the knowledge/interpersonal skills I accrued as a Sociology major was a constant highlight during my job interviews. Employers were impressed by how I was able to articulate the depth of how much Sociology influenced me. I'm now working a lucrative role at a major tech company only 2 years removed from Baylor. I'm grateful for this opportunity and attribute to what I learned under the Sociology department.
Basically, Sociology made me a more interesting, kinder, educated, and confident individual.
Cole D., 2018, Law Student: I am heading into my first year of law school at SMU. Baylor sociology has been by my side every step of the way; helping me work through career decisions, workshopping personal statements, and lowering the stress that comes with law school applications. Sociology ultimately made me a better human from one idea; There is always more. You never know what people are going through; there is always something, whether small or large, that you are not seeing. Recognize that other people are people just like you, with feelings and personal battles. Soc helped me with that and now I see the world in a different light.
Jeremy A., 2017, Access Services Team - Baylor, Scott and White: Although my time in the department was short, I owe countless credit to the entire staff of the department of sociology at Baylor University for shaping my career, mentality, and human that I am today. Currently, I am part of the Access Services team at Baylor Scott and White -Hillcrest where we serve patients at bedside by explaining their benefits, accounts, and payment options. Within the next month, I expect to further my career as I continue my education to be a certified educator in the state of Texas where I hope to directly impact the lives of our youth and our future leaders. Deciding to enter the sociology curriculum at Baylor University was my single most life changing point so far. If you choose sociology, you will not regret it, and you will be prepared to serve all kinds of people with an open heart and mind.
Maggie G., 2016, is a Ph.D. student in sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Courtney G., 2015, is in the Master's in Public Affairs Program at The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University
Karisa G., 2015, is a Mental Health Case Worker.
Ashleigh T., 2015, is continuing her studies at the University of Kansas, where she is in the Cognitive and Brain Sciences program, studying the decision making of distracted driving. During her graduate studies, she attained fellowships through the American Society of Safety Engineers, the Lifesavers foundation for Highway Safety, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety at the University of Utah. "My experience at Baylor helped me understand the external factors that influence an individual’s preference to attend to distractions while driving. The work we learned about in my Sociology courses at Baylor help me to examine these differences, specifically through the lens of Postman, as I investigate the prioritization of information in a hyperconnected society. Further, in my time as a graduate assistant instructor, I feel that I am able to understand and help my students more effectively because of my exposure to sociological factors that impact their educational experiences and daily lives."
David S., 2014, worked as a data entry specialist and youth development specialist for Communities in Schools of the Heart of Texas. Recently David returned to South Korea and is now working for the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
Reggie W., 2014, is a Crude and Product Scheduler for a refining company.
Miesha D., 2013, is an Attorney.
Sabrina B., 2013, started graduate school at UT Austin immediately following her graduation at Baylor. She graduated with a Master's in Public Affairs in 2016. She is now working for Feeding Texas, which leads a unified effort for a hunger-free Texas by collaborating closely with the 21 food banks in the state to provide food and services to those in need. She says, "My time at Baylor helped me figure out that I wanted to focus on the non-profit sector and do work that feels like it serves the most people in the best way possible. Discovering my “path” at Baylor is what led to me graduate school, and eventually to the fulfilling work I do at Feeding Texas. My majors (sociology and environmental studies) gave me the tools needed to be well-versed in topics that I am involved in daily, while keeping me well-rounded and humble enough to continuously learn new things."
Brandy P., 2013, is earning her PhD at Penn State University.
Blake T., 2011, is working on his doctorates at Oxford in theology. "I am thankful for the sociology department for teaching me rigorous research methods and analytical theory to engage the growing complexities of social interactions and structures. Not only did the world class faculty fuel my academic curiosity for understanding culture and social movements, but they provided an interpretive and hermeneutical framework to explore the systemic issues latent within western society."
"Particularly, the social colloquium course was particularly impactful. The Christian Smith text, Moral, Believing Animals, was a launching point towards much of my current research. And I will never forget studying Race, Class, and Gender under Jerry Park during the first Obama election. I remember the real animosity exhibited by white students in our class when they came across the social statistics of inequalities of income, housing, education opportunities. Dr. Park helped me make sense of racism and other factors contributing to identities and ideologies at work in the United States. Of course, this would only anticipate the protest and riots in the coming years as well as my own work in racial reconciliation at Duke and in Detroit."
Jessica F., 2009, is an Obstetrician Gynecologist.
Drew P., 2008, is a Site Development Director, YouthWorks (organization that facilitates mission trips in North America).
Phyllis B., 2007, is a Freelance Journalist.
Ashley M.. 2006, is currently a faculty member at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. "I still use the problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and research skills that I developed throughout my education at Baylor."
"Thinking back to when I was trying to decide on a major, I had trouble explaining to people what drew me to Sociology. I especially had trouble explaining this interest to my parents who were doing all that they could to pay the balance of my tuition in installment payments after all of my scholarships and financial aid had been considered. I had never known anyone who majored in Sociology. I was afraid that the degree would turn out to be impractical & a waste of a very expensive education. But I knew that Sociology was the closest match to the questions that I was always asking: Why does it feel like the world is broken, and what can I do about it? How do I understand the world, and what is going on behind the surface of what I can see? What are other people's experiences of the world? Back in 2003, I was not able to fathom what my life after college would look like, but I've been very happy with my career path for the last 9 years, and I'm grateful to be in a place where I believe I am making a positive difference."
"I hope that my experience can help someone else see what the outcome of a degree in Sociology could look like for them."
Candace M., 2006, is a lawyer. After undergrad, I went directly into law school. Then began practicing in Dallas. She worked for the United State Small Business Administration as an attorney advisor helping U.S. citizens after a natural disaster. After working for the government, she worked as in house counsel for an international travel and travel products company (WorldVentures). And most recently she is working more into employee relations/employment law/ human resources.
Ron C., 2005, is currently a clinical psychologist in Connecticut in private practice, working primarily with individuals receiving services through the State of CT, Dept of Developmental Services.
Lindsay K., 2005, went on to law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas. She is currently the First Assistant District Attorney for Matagorda County. As a prosecutor, it is her job to prosecute all capital, first and second degree felonies, oversee other prosectors and staff, work closely with law enforcement, and respond to crime scenes.
Richard C., 1998, is a professor of public policy and sociology at UC Riverside.
Joel P., 1996, is a Community Pastor.
John T., 1987, is an associate professor of management at Stetson University.
Burt B., 1980, is Baylor's University Chaplain.
John G., 1979, was a police officer and probation officer.
Stephen P., 1977, is a professor of sociology at the University of Montevallo.
Richard B., 1975, is a Judge and former Chief Justice, Texas Court of Appeals
Charles T., 1973, was a professor and former chair of Sociology at Baylor University .
Robert U., 1973, was a pastor.
Roy (Buddy) E., 1972, is the Executive Director of Caritas.
Gerald T., 1972, is a professor at Wofford College.
Raymond Teske, 1970, earned his B.A. and M.A. in Sociology from Baylor in 1966 and 1970. Teske served for 45 years for the Department of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University.