Suzi Staherski, a junior at Eastern, is an advocate for Sociology– a major she fell in love with while attending college. After developing this love, Staherski also picked up a Political Science concentration, making her a double major.
Kelsey Fiander-Carr: In your own words, what is sociology?
Staherski: Sociology is the study of society and social problems. I like to call it the “wokest major” because you spend all of your time studying race, class, gender and how those characteristics influence the way you are treated in society. We do a lot of theory… to think about how we can [fix things] and make society better for everyone… especially for those who tend to suffer from these problems more… I love sociology.
Fiander-Carr: What is your favorite part about the Sociology Department?
Staherski: I love our professors! They take care of us a lot. They care about how we are doing in classes but also about how our futures They also care about us personally. Everyone who is in the Sociology Department loves what they’re studying. It’s so great to be in a room with people who are passionate about what they’re learning
Fiander-Carr: What has been your favorite Sociology course so far?
Staherski: SOCI 105: Contemporary Social Problems. That course is what helped me understand how people live… these are social issues that we talk about all the time without seeing the facts… that class gave me an understanding of the facts behind the social issues.
Fiander-Carr: Why did you pick up Political Science, making you a double major?
Staherski: I have always had a big interest in politics. Political Science is how we should live together while Sociology is how we do live together. Sociology keeps me grounded in how people are living. They fit together so beautifully. Both of them inform me about policy. Sociology is like how we can make policies good for everyone. We can’t think about policy without the sociology of how people are living.
Fiander-Carr: Where do you see yourself in the near future, and what is your long term goals?
Staherski: [In the] near future, I want to jump right into my PHD. I am looking for PHD programs that combine the two [Sociology and Political Science]. Long term, I want to be involved in policy, policy making, or legislating, or working for a Think Tank to inform policy… going into politics or going into policy research.
Fiander-Carr: What kind of people should study Sociology?
Staherski: I think that people who want to make the world a better place should study Sociology. People who want to be aware. It’s for people who want to make a change. It’s all about reforming and reworking the systems in place that arent working for society. I feel like sociology is a very academic discipline. It’s rigorous yet friendly and transformative.
Shane Witzer 
Hannah Bonanducci