Jobs & Internships

Sociology

The Sociology program at PennWest Edinboro is a comprehensive and engaging degree program. that develops skills such as research design, data collection and analysis, report writing, survey methods, interviewing techniques, group facilitation, strategic planning, policy analysis, community organizing, and program development and evaluation.

Internships

Hands-on, real-world experience is hard to beat! PennWest Edinboro recognizes that experiential learning is a valuable tool in helping students to make career decisions and in complementing formal classroom learning.

Edinboro Sociology students have interned at the Office of Children and Youth, Stairways Behavioral Health, the Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Mission Empower, Family Services of NWPA, Erie County Prison, Child and Family Connections, The Erie International Institute, American Red Cross, Creature Comforts Animal Clinic and many other social and human service organizations.

Beyond these non-profit institutional settings, students have interned for local political campaigns as well as a variety of for-profit organizations. Students can also engage in research and applied practice for credit toward our degree programs. Students have worked with the Office of Student Engagement as well as the Office of Social Equity here on campus to implement programming and design and execute research projects while receiving valuable training in Title IV policy.

Students who are interested in internship experiences are encouraged to contact the Sociology Department internship coordinator or visit the Center for Career Development’s internship webpages for more information.

Sociology

Department Internship Coordinator:

Dr. Lee Williams
264/283 Dearborn Hall
Email: llwilliams@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1189

 

Independent Research projects

“Factors Influencing Pennsylvania School Districts Return to School Since the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

This project involved original data collection that was quantitatively analyzed for a poster presentation at the Fall Creative Works and Research Event at California University of Pennsylvania.


“Healthy U? A Qualitative Assessment of the Student Experience with Campus Healthcare.”

Focus groups were assembled to discuss the healthcare services on campus and the results were shared with the campus healthcare center and presented at the Edinboro Celebration of Scholarship.


“PennWest Edinboro Climate Survey on Sexual Misconduct, Reporting, and Resources.”

Student worked with faculty and administrators to design and implement a survey concerning sexual misconduct on Edinboro’s campus. The student was awarded $400 from Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociological Society, and presented the project at several conferences including the NCSA, the PSS and the Edinboro Celebration of Scholarship.


“Undergraduate Student’s Perceptions of Hydraulic Fracking.”

With the help of faculty, the student designed and implemented a survey for this project and won both the Provost’s Choice Award at the Edinboro Celebration of Scholarship and the Undergraduate Paper Award at the PSS. It was published in the 32nd volume of Sociological Viewpoints.

 

Jobs

Equipped with research, critical thinking and communication skills, Sociology graduates find success in a variety of professional settings. Edinboro Sociology alumni work in a variety of fields including community relations, governmental organizations, health care, environmental services, research consulting, criminal justice, education, and human services agencies. They also excel in areas such as human services, marketing, product testing and development. Graduates have attended graduate school at the University of Chicago,  Ohio State, Penn State, Duquesne University, the University of Vermont, University of Pittsburgh and Case Western Reserve University for programs in areas such as Sociology, law, social policy, social work and counseling.

The Boro Center for Career Development assists students at the onset of their professional lives with many outstanding services including resume building, interviewing and networking skills, and offering numerous job fair opportunities annually both on- and off-campus.


Sociology Success Stories

Research analysts, community organizers, case managers, public educators, data specialists, field directors, independent living specialists, marketing assistants, compliance officers and lawyers have built the foundations of their success at PennWest Edinboro, and so can you. 
Shaquan Walker

Shaquan Walker, '16

Client Services Manager, BAYADA Home Health Care
"If you want to challenge yourself to become a leader based on human principles, then the Edinboro Sociology program is for you."
Pistory

Nicolas Pistory, '18

Graduate Student, Buffalo School of Law
"I loved my time in the Sociology Department. The faculty were great and really helpful."
Morgan Adams

Morgan Adams, '18

Administrative Assistant, Jefferson Educational Society
"The Sociology Department was like a second family to me. They always encouraged me to do my best and reach my full potential. I never walked into the department without learning something new."
Laura Power

Laura Power, '17

Graduate Student, University of Pennsylvania
"I loved my time in the department. My favorite thing about it was the program's emphasis on practical experience and applying the principles of sociology to everyday life in order to improve society."
Annette MacKay

Annette Mackay, '13

Doctoral Student, West Virginia University
"I am grateful for my experience at PennWest Edinboro, and I owe my successes to the mentorship of the faculty in the Department of Sociology ."

Contact Us

Sociology


146 Hendricks Hall
235 Scotland Road
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2573

Samuel Claster, PhD
Department Chair
118 Hendricks Hall
Email: sclaster@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1551