Infusing Career Readiness into Introduction to Sociology Classes

• In Event: 20461 - Teaching and Learning Symposium Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 5: Careers & Future Work

Abstract

At a time when sociology programs are facing enrollment challenges and resources are being cut from programs that do not demonstrate a clear career pathway, Introduction to Sociology course teachers play a vital role in recruiting students to the major and demonstrating the value of sociology. In this symposium presentation, I will focus on techniques I have used to enhance the career readiness of my Introduction to Sociology students in the past year. I use the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) career readiness competencies as the foundation for preparing students for career success. The eight competencies designated by NACE as the core career competencies are: career & self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and technology. In practice, I designed my Introduction to Sociology course to address many of these competencies and highlighted those connections through incorporating NACE career competencies into the course syllabus, introducing students to the NACE career competencies in class, and having students reflect on how the Introduction to Sociology course supported their career competency development in a final assignment. Students’ responses to the reflection assignment will be used to illustrate how well students connected the course content with the career competencies. Audience members will come away from this presentation with the knowledge and tools to include career readiness in their own courses. This will enable teachers to clearly demonstrate the ways that sociology courses prepare students for varied careers using specific competencies that were developed in collaboration with employers, thus illustrating the value of sociology.

Author

• Gretchen Peterson, University of Memphis