Kelsey Dovico (class of 2015. Program manager at a non-profit leadership organization)
“The most important skill I developed while studying Social Psychology at WMU was that of the sociological imagination – the ability to discern, analyze, and perceive the social contexts in and around every aspect of individual human experience. Understanding intersectionality and the value-based creation of worldviews, mores, behaviors, and institutions have been absolutely vital to the success of my professional endeavors thus far. This training builds empathy, communication skills, systemic thinking, and a healthy criticism of the hegemonic – aptitudes for which I have been consistently valued in my working life.
Another vital sociological skill that helps me stand out in my job is research and writing. I have earned grants for projects, spearheaded brand-new programs, built sustainable organizational infrastructures, and therefore served hundreds of people from all walks of life in a variety of non-profit organizations through my abilities to synthesize research and articulate my unique perspectives. Seeing how a community or institution can provide better conditions for its people is one matter; being able to communicate and operationalize that information is another. I am so grateful for the research and writing training that rigorously prepared me to step up as a leader in various positions of advocacy, leadership, and community organizing.”
Dakota Druley (class of 2016. Software engineer at an IT company)
“Though I work in the Technology industry, I use what I studied as a Social Psychology major every day. I’ve noticed that employers find my background in Sociology very useful. Social responsibility is something for-profit organizations can’t ignore and diversity and inclusion are big topics in the workplace. When an employer sees my degree on my resume, they are often impressed and see the value that it brings to their company culture and the job itself. I have an intersectional understanding of individuals that informs my customer service skills, and makes me a better coworker. This perspective increases my empathy and allows me to see beyond superficialities. It makes me a better teammate by understanding the team’s dynamic. Understanding the larger structures within our society, rather it’s the current company I work at or the impacts of my industry at large, has been a great gift. Entering the workforce can be intimidating and there are many social rules specific to organizations and industries, but being equipped with my Social Psychological lens, I have been able to navigate in ways I wouldn’t have even known about without it. It’s helped me think about issues from many different perspectives and to leverage data when I solve problems and make decisions within my role. The mental frameworks that you take away are long lasting and can be applied to so many areas of your life.”