Coburn Palmer / Roundup
Four local junior colleges held a sociology informational meeting at the Great Hall at Pierce College on Friday, Nov. 5.
Two panels were part of the event Friday to show students what they could do with a sociology degree and how they could get into get into graduate school.
Panelist included masters students from CSUN, Vincent Bruzzese, president of World Wide Motion Picture Group, James McKeever, an assistant professor at Pierce College, Dr. James Thing, an adjunct at USC and Tasha Willis, a field faculty member of CSU Los Angeles.
“[Sociology] is the study of human interaction and behavior. We can study just about anything that involves the human being,” said James McKeever, assistant professor of sociology at Pierce College.
Sociology areas of interests have ranged from Lowrider cars to probation officers to gay men’s behavior.
“It’s so interesting. It opened my eyes. When you study it [sociology] it goes deep,” said freshmen Valley College student Elizabeth Ayyad a sociology major.
The sociology fair was organized by the Inter college Sociology Alliance consisting of students and faculty from Pierce, Valley, College of the Canyons and Oxnard Junior College and was sponsored by the Pierce College Sociology Club and the Valley College Experiment Sociology.
“Its not just for sociology majors. It benefits everyone,” said sociology Club President David Bromberg.
Professsor McKeever, a one time probation employee talked about his experiences working with youth in juvenile hall.
“The best asset you can have is a smart ass and quick wit,” said McKeever. “You could be in the middle of a riot.”
Bruzzese runs a company that advises on motion pictures and offered a non-academia option of what to do with a sociology degree.
“Your first goal is the ability to be tortured,” said Bruzzese. “You sign your name in blood over to me and at the end of the year you either get promoted or fired.”
Dr. Thing demonstrated the great flexibility of sociology while discussing his main focus: the sexual identity and formation in Mexican migrant men.
“Working in community based organizations is really a labor of love,” said Dr. Thing. “We deal a lot with social inequality.”
Willis spoke about her history as a social worker and instructor.
“LA county social workers make more than around the nation,” said Willis, field faculty at CSU Los Angeles.
Refreshments and snacks were offered during the break.
“Its interesting,” said sophomore Simon Shiraz. “I came for the extra credit but I learned a lot from it.”
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