Future Career or Strong Interest? Supporting Students Toward “Next Steps” in Sociological Learning and Practice

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

Abstract

In addition to support on assignments and expanding understanding of course concepts, many students visit office hour appointments for support around their “next step” in pursuing Sociology. Often enrolled in their first or second Sociology class and uncertain about where to go next, such students may connect with their instructor for guidance on “what can I do with Sociology.” This presentation will include an overview of specific strategies for working with students in office hour appointments to explore possibilities for engaging in a future in Sociology. This teaching practice includes applying interview methods to discuss interests and needs in future career planning, modeling the idea of a scholarly interest that does not necessarily have to be the same as one’s “major,” and developing an action plan for the next year, five years, and ten years with the student. The learning objectives of this teaching practice is for students (a) to understand what career options are available within the field of Sociology, (b) to feel comfortable pursuing future classes and opportunities within Sociology even if one is not majoring in or planning a career in the field, and (c) to have specific plans in place for how they will continue to engage in Sociology in the near and distant future. The approach used in this teaching practice includes developing a worksheet to model various options for future sociological engagement with students during office hour meetings. This presentation will include a demonstration of that worksheet as well as a discussion on how that worksheet pairs with a larger “career vs. interest” conversation. This presentation will be useful to audience members working with Sociology students in 2-year and 4-year institutions; providing an opportunity to plan and strategize engaging students as future Sociologists both as future majors and as future engaged scholarly community members.

Author

• Lydia J. Hou, St. Charles Community College