Sociology: Student Testimonials

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Camille Pandela

Majors: Sociology and City Studies

What factors contributed to you choosing your program(s)?

One of the things I love about both Sociology and City Studies are the professors. Most are friendly and extremely approachable and want nothing but to ensure that their students receive the best education they deserve (and paid for!) For someone like me, who's totally shy and easily intimated by authority, it's nice to know that there's a good balance between professionalism and casualty within the Social Sciences department. Another factor that helped me decide in choosing my majors is my ability to envision myself pursuing them in my Undergrad career. I LEARNED to love Sociology and City Studies, not just because of my "super cool" professors, but because of the things I was taught, and my personal self-development as a young adult while pursuing my majors, has made me want to go forward with it even more. That said, I wasn’t set on actually taking these programs to begin with—they were just electives I was taking in first year, and then things sort of just “clicked” for me, the further I progressed in the introductory courses. I’m pretty fortunate in that sense.

Can you describe your program(s)? What is it actually like?

It's no glitter and glamour, that's for sure! Like all Social Sciences, both Sociology and City Studies are very generous when it comes to readings. And, oh, the ESSAYS! Honestly, the only kind of paper I don't have is monetary. Seriously though, from annotated bibliographies to ethnographic accounts, you'll learn to do all sorts of papers that also vary in formality and even citation formats. They're not like English papers or formal lab reports at ALL. You're also going to experience a LOT of people picking on you, and questioning the validity of Social Science as an "actual" science. Don't mind them and just brush it off! I mean, seriously, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "science" is defined as, "knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method" And guess what? You'll learn that in Social Science, there ARE theories, hypothesis, observations, and findings that are made about the world. City Studies is a broad, multi-disciplinary program. That means you can find yourself taking geography courses, environmental studies courses, political science courses, etc., that go with your degree. One of the things I really love about my programs is that I can learn about different things that still go toward finishing my majors.

What tips/advice can you provide to students just starting or considering this program(s)?

Let me begin by telling you right now that if you don't like writing essays, these programs are NOT for you. Or rather, that when considering any program, that--as interesting as all programs may seem or be--not every program is fit for you. (No kidding, I'm sure y'all knew that, but it's something I needed to learn, because I'm definitely no Anthro-whiz or Human Geo-genius or IDS-extraordinaire and even though all of these fall under Social Science, I just can't with them, man...) A few more things to keep in mind, (along with swallowing the fact that you're not an invincible, impenetrable, heart-made-out-of-stone-and-can-do-anything-you-feel-like person) are your interests, because both Sociology and City Studies cover broad topics. In the same way Biology students will specialize to focus on something like...cell molecular biology or animal physiology or become fauna-specialist or something. Ask yourself, "What do I want to do with my life?", "What do I LIKE doing?" One of the things I really highly recommend in figuring this out is to go to the Registrar website and find Sociology and/or City Studies programs and read up on your requirements, along with the courses they have to offer. Both majors have a neat little chart that divides their C- and D-level courses by the topic they fall under. So, for example, if you're interested in becoming a lawyer and providing legal-aid for immigrants, it'd be useful to take courses from sociology that focus on immigration.
 
What will you do with your degree after graduation?

After graduation, my intention was to go into a co-op Human Resource Management program in a college. I'm still looking at my options, but my heart is definitely set on eventually pursuing my Masters in Planning, working internships and becoming the next Jennifer Keesmaat (Chief Planner for the City of Toronto). I'll essentially be pursuing one of my passions as an advocate for re-intensification and mixed-use developments.
 
What has your academic journey during your time been like as you progress toward graduation?
 
Like I said earlier, I fell into both my major programs “by accident”—they were simply electives I was just taking to figure out what I was really interested in, because I already knew exactly what I WASN’T interested in. Going into university, my goal was to just finish and do post-grad co-op program in Human Resource because I thought that would be the easiest course of action for me. But I truly got a chance to learn that life is—by any means—not easy. My first year was pretty rough, I gotta say—it’s nothing like high school. The stakes are higher, it feels like. And you’re in debt, and you’ve got more responsibilities now than ever before. The transition into university—the first semester—was the WORST. None of my high school friends were in my program and so they’ve grown apart from me. But occasionally, I run into them on campus and catch up. All my group leaders at Orientation told me to talk to my profs, I couldn’t do it. Second year was better, I knew my way around by then and I was set on doing Sociology as my major by the end of first year, so the second year was my year to determine what ELSE I was going to do, and that’s when I took the Foundations of City Studies course taught by Professor Allahwala. In my third year, I got to really grow as a person. I know now exactly where I want to go with my life in relation to my studies and it was a pretty good idea taking a C-level course in second year, because it has definitely alleviated how much C-levels I needed to take this year.


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Andrew Situ

Majors: Public Policy and Sociology

What factors contributed to you choosing your program(s)?
 
Initially I chose both of my programs because 1) I enjoyed what I was learning within their respective introductory classes and 2) I loved the professors that I met at networking events. From my second year to my third year now, both programs helped me figure out what I wanted to potentially do after my undergraduate studies; this was one of the main selling points that made realize that this was the program combination choice for me. I am highly interested in the areas of student engagement and retention at the university level. My general focus is on how to make you, as a current student, feel like you belong on our campus in terms of having the proper academic and social supports. Public Policy & Sociology not only complement one another as fields, but also allows me to delve deeper into creating student support systems that are transparent, equitable, and sustainable.
 
Can you describe your program(s)? What is it actually like?
 
Within Public Policy and Sociology, both fields push you to think critically about the social context that we all live in. Both programs challenge you to go beyond your preconceived notions of how things are supposed to be within society and how to develop solutions to the problems that are present. This is done through the emphasis each program places on developing writing skills and having knowledge in both quantitative and/ or qualitative methods. Public Policy focuses on examining the rules/ laws we have in place and how to make them better for everyone that is impacted. Sociology allows you to delve further into the underlying processes that govern us by considering the lived experiences of people; this program allows you to generate the best possible outcomes. Both programs offer multiple streams or course clusters that allow you focus your studies. This provides students with the ability to not only learn what appeals to his or her areas of interest but also allows one to differentiate oneself from another; you are able to create your own personalized university experience. In terms of the non-academic side of things, both programs offer a strong network of professors and other professionals that help you transition from not only from high school to university, but also from your undergraduate studies to the realm of possibilities (either the workplace or further education) that are present before you. Students are given a wide array of opportunities to take advantage of, ranging from one-on-one support to networking events and even post-undergrad transition programs to remove anxiety within the application process. The communities in each program are amazing in how it values and prioritizes the student experience.
 
What tips/advice can you provide to students just starting or considering this program(s)?
 
1) Use your departmental student association (DSAs) in any way possible to help you. DSAs act as the liaison between you and your program, whether it be other students, professors, or alumni; they are there to provide you with as much support as they can to help you succeed during your studies. They can tell you a lot about their respective departments and what they offer to you in terms of academics and community life, all of which is vital to with getting the most out of your time here at UTSC. 2) Get a mentor. If you are a first year student, the Department of Student Life offers an amazing First Year Experience Program for both regular and First Generation students. Within the program, you get matched with an upper year student within your program that can help you transition from high school and allow you to get the most out of the opportunities that UTSC offers. As a previous mentee, a previous volunteer mentor, and now a Peer Academic Coach within this program, I highly recommend it. Alternatively, if you are not a first year, connect with upper year students or professors and see if they would be willing to provide you with guidance. Outside of the Peer Academic Coach Program, I also mentor two other students who are in different programs than I am. Never be afraid to reach out and see who can help you along your journey. 3) Research possible routes that you can pursue after your time here at UTSC as early as you can. Make sure that you don't blindly map out your future as university education is a long-term investment. Figure out what you can do with your degree and how you can make an impact in whatever area(s) resonate(s) with you the most. Consult with every possible person or organization that you can, whether that is professors, upper year students, alumni, or the Academic Advising & Career Centre.
 
What will you do with your degree after graduation?
 
I currently have three paths in mind: two revolving around further education and the other with going straight into the world of work. I am thinking of the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) and pursuing a Masters of Education (M.Ed) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in either Education Leadership and Policy or Higher Education studies. Alternatively, I am also considering a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Rotman Commerce and specializing in either Leadership and Change Management or Health Sector Management. After finishing one (or maybe another) degree, I want to work within the university setting either as someone that is able to actively engage with students or within the background with policy. On the other hand, going straight into the workplace is also something that I have been considering. In terms of options, I am thinking of either the healthcare sector within hospitals as a policymaker or within the educational sector again with student retention.

What has your academic journey during your time been like as you progress toward graduation?

My first year was all about transition and being able to keep up and succeed with the university's academic standards. It was also about starting my network of friends and professors who could help support me in my journey. This year also was the start of my university extracurricular experience, whereby I joined the Sociology DSA, Students of Sociology, as a First-Year Representative. I began to develop hard and soft skills that not only benefited my first year self, but also for my own professional development for later on in life. By getting involved I figured out how to make the best use of my time by balancing my academic and extracurricular activities. Second year was focused on finding the passions I am the most interested in pursuing and refining them. This was done through the courses I could choose from and seeing what areas I wanted to focus in. This year was also about building on the relationships I had with others and expanding those networks so I could meet more people. By doing so, I was able to expand my own world view and learn more from those around me. Academically, this year had an emphasis on passing the real hurdles of university. In this sense, second year was the hardest because professors are no longer treating you like a first year; you are given higher expectations and you need to be able to meet them. This was especially true through my extracurricular involvement as I was working within two DSAs and the Department of Student Life. I had to fine tune my abilities to balance my priorities of being a successful student but also a leader at the same time. Currently with my third year, it feels like an accelerated version of what happened in my second year. You have a lot more priorities to balance because there is this struggle between focusing on school but wanting to do more and making an impact towards those around you. Additionally, this is the year where refining your network is key as graduation is right around the corner. Although it is tough sometimes, in the end, it is extremely worth it. I am able to get the most out of my time at UTSC and make it worthwhile. The experiences you gain through the efforts you put in are definitely worth the struggle.


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Minushi Gomes

Majors: Women and Gender Studies
Minors: Psychology and Sociology

What factors contributed to you choosing your program(s)?
 

I started by enrolling into a double major in Psychology, and Women and Gender Studies. Since I was in grade three, I told myself - I will be a Psychiatrist. Little did I know that Psychology was not my calling. By second year of University, I was starting to lose my interest in my psychology courses and the second you lose interest is when your grades begin to go down. On the other hand, Women and Gender Studies was a whole new world for me! I didn't know such a program even existed until I selected it to fulfill my OSAP requirements. I fell in love with the course immediately. It was the first time I realized that I came from a patriarchal family, that I had been accepting sexist comments and following gender norms because I thought "that's what I had to do as a girl," and it was the first time I learned that I had the right to fight the oppression that me, my mum, my grandmothers, and every other female relative and friend I knew were experiencing. By the end of second year, I decided that Women and Gender Studies was my path to success. It was like finding a long lost passion. Next thing I knew, I made Women and Gender studies my Major and changed psychology into a minor.
 
Can you describe your program(s)? What is it actually like?
 

When I think of Women and Gender Studies, three words come into my head; power, justice, equity. There are many more words I can use to describe it, but these are the words that I can use to relate on how the Women and Gender Studies program changed my life in many ways from paradigms and perspectives, to behaviors and expressions. Simply saying, it's like learning the terms and history of the inequalities you face because of the gender you grow to perform. Thinking about the context of the program, the work load is very reasonable and most of the courses I took in my undergrad were hands-on which allows you to learn and see how these social, political and economical inequalities shape with different intersections. Most of the courses were seminar based which allowed for a more deep class discussions leading to a greater understanding about the topic. This also gave us students the opportunity to gather in groups and talk or ask questions about the weekly assigned readings. Additionally, many of the key terms and definitions are used throughout the Women and Gender studies courses all throughout your undergrad.
 
What tips/advice can you provide to students just starting or considering this program(s)?
 
In regards to this program:

 1) Do your assigned readings! If you can't finish the reading, at least read the abstract and conclusion so that you aren't lost during class. It will seem like a lot of pages at the start, but read with a purpose. Understand the material more than memorizing points from it. If you lose focus, glance back at the title, or skim the abstract again. I personally think printed notes are more effective to read. You can take little notes on the side, or even highlight and underline with different colors. You'd be surprised how helpful colors and little notes on the side are when revising for exams and term papers.

2) Don't let the annotated bibliography scar you! Most of the first and second year courses of Women and Gender Studies would have an assignment with an annotated bibliography. It will seem long and even unnecessary but, it's not that bad and it is actually your best friend when writing that final term paper. The Writing Center provides a perfect guide on how to write the annotated bibliography and honestly if you follow that, you can’t go wrong. Moreover, if you do the annotated bibliography with a good purpose, you will see how it help you shape up your ideas and contents for the final term paper and it keeps you on track rather than changing from topic to topic. Most students grumble when they see the annotated bibliography listed on the syllabus but it really isn't bad at all if you understand why you are asked to do it.

3) Don't be shy to speak up in class! As I mentioned earlier, most of the Women and Gender Studies courses are seminar structured meaning there is a lot of room for the students to talk. I would 100% recommend you to speak up in class. The professors get to know who you are and it makes the classroom experience more exciting. Likewise, it's okay to get a wrong answer or even ask follow-up questions to what the professor is stating. Being curious is a way to go about analyzing the various topics brought to the class in each of these courses.
 
In General:

1) Your GPA does not define you. University works according to a system. We get so involved with GPA standings and pressure ourselves to be exceptional, which is amazing but, you need to know that it is okay to fail or get a low mark. It doesn't mean you are a failure. You got accepted into University of Toronto for a reason, so don't let that reason disappear because you are worrying about your GPA. There are so many resources on campus to help you out if you just ask. Don't feel ashamed. With failure comes motivation to do even better.

2) It's okay if you don't graduate in 4 years! Since we were kids, we are trained to go through elementary from grade 1-8 in a stretch and then graduate high school by four years. It's not the same concept when it comes to University. It's okay if you need a bit more time to graduate. We all have different learning potentials and study skills. Some of you, like I did, would want to change programs half way through your University Career, or even want to take a break and come back; and that's okay. If you want good results, be in competition with yourself and not with your classmates. It wasn't until my final few semesters that I was ready to carry on five courses per semester. I kept taking three courses at the start because that's what I was able to handle. If you can take on more, then that's great, but it's also great if you can't. Go at the pace you can handle and you will see that your grades will get better and better.
 
What will you do with your degree after graduation?
 

I want to do my masters in Women and Gender Studies. My ultimate goal would be to work a women or youth counselor. I also sometimes picture myself as a Women and Gender Studies Professor, but I haven't tackled that idea in a full context.
 
What has your academic journey during your time been like as you progress toward graduation?
 

My first year was great. I was focused and loved the course material in all the intro classes I was taking. However, as second year started, my family went through a huge financial problem leading me to work in order to support my family. Little did I know that the second year work would require more of my time with readings and assignments, as I spent more time at work. By the time I got home to study, I would sleep once the books were open. It was tough. I watched my marks drop in second year along with my GPA. It was hard and I came to the decision of stopping work and focusing completely on my studies. I also realized that it was only my psychology marks that were taking the negative turn. It was then that I changed my program majors. Third year started and I was ever so motivated. I got higher grades and I was enjoying my classes more since I was up to date with readings and was focused in the classroom. As the final few semesters began, I increased my course load meaning I had more work to do. The trick with a 100% course load is managing your time properly. Make a schedule along with your personal timetable to balance your school work and personal life accordingly. As I have neared the end, I am more than happy for all the challenges I overcame and how strong my educational journey has made me. Moreover, I can strongly say that the Women and Gender Studies program has shaped me to be a whole new human being over these few years! The last thing I will say about my Women and Gender Studies undergraduate journey is about the amazing collection of professors we have for this program. These professors were not only my educators but I looked at them as if they were my own mother. I had gone to their office hours during my times of adversity just to get advice and support. They are open-minded and caring. They are passionate about what they do which allows them to perform their best during class hours. I can, with no doubts, say that the two reasons I love the Women and Gender Studies program at UTSC is due to it's context but mainly because of the professors who bring these contexts to life in the class room for the students to understand in deeper ways.


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Marcus Rozsa

Major: Human GeographyMinors: History and Sociology

What factors contributed to you choosing your program(s)?

I have always been interested in the relationship between humans and their immediate geographic context, and how that differs from place to place depending on factors such as social values, governmental policies, and the historical past of such places. Through the diversity of their course offerings, the department of Human Geography allowed me to explore these concepts in an elaborate manner.

Can you describe your program(s)? What is it actually like?
 
As just briefly alluded to, Human Geography is extremely wide-ranging. The department offers courses focusing on broad issues such as our own understanding of the environment, how power is distributed throughout urban regions, and how education differs depending on geography. However, the department also offers courses that narrow in on specific topics, including the development of the Toronto region, and land reform in South Africa. In all, each course will ultimately focus on the relationship between people and place, in both abstract and legitimate terms.

What tips/advice can you provide to students just starting or considering this program(s)?

  1. Keep an open mind. Human Geography courses will challenge you to understand material through a number of different lenses. Keeping an open mind will make this process much easier.
  2. Keep up with the readings. Reading, while not overwhelming, provides a whole new layer of insight that assists in clarifying lecture material. Succeeding in class becomes immensely easier when you supplement lecture material with reading material.

What will you do with your degree after graduation? (Future plans?)

I will be attending law school beginning next September.

What has your academic journey during your time been like as you progress toward graduation?

I actually began my post-secondary academic journey at a college in Ohio playing baseball on a scholarship. While not declaring a major there, I did take a number of geography courses which originally sparked my interest in the field. After transferring to UTSC and entering the Human Geography program, the courses I was taking were exactly what I was looking for. They were both mentally stimulating and very enjoyable. Admittedly, it did take about a semester for m

e to adjust from a college curriculum to a university one, but I did eventually adapt to the learning style, and eventually began to excel in it. I am now in my final semester at UTSC.


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Rosy Bossoke

Major: Psychology
Minors: Sociology & African Studies

What factors contributed to you choosing your program(s)?
 
Initially, when I applied to UTSC, I applied for the Management program, but later got accepted into the Social Sciences stream. I didn't know what to do at first and so I just went with the flow. I took intro courses in Psychology, Sociology, African Studies and French, just so that I could keep my options open and see what would be of most interest to me. I found the courses to be intellectually stimulating and enjoyable. My grades were good and so I decided to take Psychology as a Major, Sociology and Africa Studies as my two minors. I chose that combination simply because I find that they go quite hand in hand. I want to work in the field with people of various backgrounds, and most especially of African origin, and to do that, I want to be able to understand them at the individual level (psychology), and at the social level. I felt very comfortable with my programs and the professors (mainly in sociology and African studies) were approachable and that made me feel included.
Can you describe your program(s)? What is it actually like?
 
As much as I enjoy the content in Psychology, it is no joke. The workload is heavy throughout, until maybe when you have to take your D-levels, which, in my opinion, are more interesting and engaging because they don’t focus on testing you through multiple choice but rather through class presentations and a huge paper due at the end of the semester. I took the social stream of Psychology, thus the content and workload in comparison to its bio-stream may be different. I enjoyed both my Sociology and African Studies programs, and was a little sad when they ended. There wasn't a single course that I chose, that I didn't enjoy. Both programs really challenged my writing skills, which I didn't mind because writing has always been one of my strengths. A lot essays are involved in both programs. Professors in both streams always left room for class engagement, so it didn't feel all that boring and long. I'm of African origin, but I didn't know all that there was to know about Africa (I still don't). But taking this program got me to learn more about other African countries, looking at the various issues that Africa and Africans continue to deal with on a daily basis and breaking down the stereotypes about the continent. African Studies is offered as a minor and many people don't know about it but once you get into it, trust me, you won't regret it.
 
What tips/advice can you provide to students just starting or considering this program(s)?
 
I know that there is a lot of pressure from parents, friends and society to do what they all deem "worthy" and something that will definitely land you a job, but I strongly encourage students to do what they enjoy and they won't regret it. Sciences is not everyone's piece of cake, and so venture into what you enjoy and find worthwhile, and of course something that can get you a job in. Also, keep your options open and explore what other programs are out there apart from your own. Visit the Academic Advising and Career Centre and the Registrar’s Office to get guidance from time to time. Although I got accepted into the Social Sciences, I didn't know that I could switch to the Management program, through the selection of intro courses. So, I would definitely advise students to carefully explore the different paths that they could take in order to do the program they want. Last but not least, if taking a program like Psychology, know that it has two components: the Biology stream and the Social stream and depending on your potential career, choose carefully. For example, if you want to one day become a clinical psychologist, then go for the Bio stream (but you're not limited). Otherwise, be like me and choose the Social stream because that is where my strength lies and because I want to engage with people on a more "hands-on" level.

What will you do with your degree after graduation? (Future plans?)
 
After graduation, I plan to take a few years off working and building my home (recently married). Over the years, I have developed an interest in administration, media, and technology and hope that whilst I'm working, I will gain a better perspective on what I want to pursue my Master's in. I will also be taking some college courses to help me discover where my strengths and passion lay. Most likely will end up doing a Master's in Business Administration and IT, or Organizational Psychology, let's see where the road takes me.
 
What has your academic journey during your time been like as you progress toward graduation?
 

Wow! Let me just say that it has been one heck of a journey, and I'm delighted that it's come to a close. I had been in Canada a little less than 2 years and here I was starting university. I wasn't only new to Canada's university/education system, I was new to the country as a whole and so much was happening at once. I didn't really know what to expect as I entered my first year, but my attitude was that I should take it as it comes, with a positive mindset. I didn't want to enter any course with the mindset that it was going to be hard, because once that thought starts to germinate in your mind, it becomes difficult to really enjoy the course or look at it from a positive light. In second year, I find the courses DO tend to be a lot harder in terms of workload and speed. I got involved in some clubs on campus and also became part of UTSC's Field Hockey team. I was getting used to the university life from this point on. I got involved in the SCSU's Orientation and I've been a group leader up until 3rd year. Third year was actually the year I realized that my Psychology program had two streams, and needed to narrow down the courses I had been taking! It wasn't too much trouble because I had already taken courses in the stream that I wanted (Social stream). This was also the year I started making use of Degree Explorer more in order to sort myself out and make sure that I'm completing the right courses to complete my degree. I also started volunteering for more clubs and departments such as Department of Student Life, and Admissions and Student Recruitment. Fourth year is the year that I was able to obtain work-study positions and became well rounded with the various resources offered on campus. This is also the year that I found out about all the grad and employment fairs hosted by AA&CC. It's a good feeling that some professors will still remember your name and face (mainly the African Studies and Sociology department). Overall, the journey has been worthwhile; we live, learn and grow.