November 15, 2017

Sociology Professor Kelly Joyce, PhD, sat down with Emily Glassman, MS Public Policy '19 to talk about her experiences getting her Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Drexel.

KJ: How would you describe your experience as a sociology major at Drexel? What did you like/learn from the program?

EG: I had an excellent experience as a sociology major. Each class opened my mind and made me more eager to study different sociology subfields. Before my undergraduate experience, I don't think I fully understood the scope of how important sociology is or how multifaceted it is. One of my biggest takeaways from the program was that sociology can take you in so many directions. Many other majors are often more linear. Once you begin your path of study in such majors, it can be difficult to make a change to other fields if your interests wane, which is not uncommon for new college students.

KJ: Yes, sociology is an approach that can be used to study a wide range of topics—everything from race to medicine to media and more. That is a really good point. You are currently in the master's in public policy program at Drexel. Do you find yourself using your sociological knowledge in this program? If so, how?

EG: I find my sociology knowledge is applicable to many different areas of study. Sociology is the study of development, function, and structures in society. In my specific area of study, animal protection legislation, I constantly look at societal structures surrounding attitudes towards animal welfare. To make any change happen in this area, it is important to know the role animal agriculture plays in society.

KJ: What would you say to students who are considering minoring or majoring in sociology? What advice would you give them?

EG: I would advise students to be open minded and try as many different sociology courses as they can. If one area of sociology doesn't interest you, try not to dwell on it because this science has so much to offer. There is so much opportunity to study a variety of topics. I would also recommend this field to someone who has a variety of interests and wants to explore these interests in depth.

KJ: What are you hoping to do once you finish the MS in public policy degree? What kind of career do you plan to pursue?

EG: Once I graduate I would love to work for an animal rights organization in their policy department. My other policy interests are civil rights and gun control legislation. Working in public policy is another field that offers an opportunity to develop a career that tackles a variety of areas. I have colleagues studying everything from transportation policy to immigration policy. I enjoy being involved in fields where I can translate my knowledge to many different important issues and topics.

KJ: It was a pleasure talking with you. We wish you the best as you finish up the MS in Public Policy degree.

Learn more about the Drexel Sociology Degree