The course did a great job of encouraging you to have your own thoughts

How would you summarise your time at the university?

Before I came to the university I remember being really nervous because I hadn’t studied sociology before but it didn’t set me back at all. The course was built to guide you through the subject and it did a great job of encouraging you to have your own thoughts. 

I absolutely loved my undergrad. It was very engaging and the modules gave you a lot of free reign on what you wrote your essays on. For me, I quite like diving into random areas. For instance, I wrote an essay on Taylor Swift. 

The dissertation was also a great opportunity to be in charge of a project from start of finish. I did mine on why such a high proportion of women listen to true crime podcasts compared to men. I got to interview twelve women from America who were really inspiring. Many of them had ended up working in crime or safety because of their fascination with the genre. 

Why did you decide to study Sociology?

I knew I wanted to do something around society and equality. Originally I was looking at social policy but after attending an open day I felt like sociology was better suited to how I think and learn. 

When it came to choosing Sheffield, I looked through all the optional modules and found the course was more suited to my interests. You also had the ability to pick up some modules from other courses and departments, including those from social policy. 

How did your degree influence your career?

My degree helped a lot, especially when it came to interviews. I had done so much over the course of three years that I had lots of different experiences to talk about. 

The soft skills I learnt were really applicable to the jobs I was applying for. I’m quite an outgoing person but when covid happened I had to do my second year all online. People were not as willing to engage then, so I had to buckle down and try to forge connections. That really improved my ability to talk to a lot of different people.

The third year was also really helpful in helping me understand the value of a sociology degree. Unlike other degrees, there’s not always a clear career path after graduation. But, I finished my degree understanding what skills I’d developed along the way, such as how to form an argument properly, team work, leadership and the value of my own opinion. 

What’s your favourite part about being a digital content coordinator?

What I like most is that no two days are the same. It’s a very fast-paced environment. I can be a bit of a perfectionist but because you’re moving so quickly you don’t have time to sit and dwell on one thing. 

I also get on really well with my colleagues which I think is a testament to the environment of the student union. At the moment we’re working on a project to get students into areas of Sheffield they might not necessarily engage with. We’re working with current students and alumni to learn all the great things the city has to offer, like independent shops, cafes and other businesses. 

What advice would you give current and prospective students?

Always have a personality. Whenever I did my best was when I was writing about something I was passionate about or interested in. You’re never going to be penalised for having a niche essay about a bizarre topic. The university is full of lecturers that love unique thoughts who enjoy exploring your arguments with you. It also makes coursework much more enjoyable if you’re interested in what you’re writing about.