San Francisco Sociologist Puts Her Degree To Good Use
One of the greatest things for San Francisco students about being a sociologist is that every life experience enhances their insights into a profession that offers a wide array of possibilities. One area that leading sociologist Jan Yager Ph.D. specializes in is criminology, a subject she sought out in order to understand the tragic death of her older brother at the hands of a teenage gang. She spent a few moments to talk about her background and education, and offer a few words of advice for sociology students.
What is your background and education?
"I received a master's degree in criminal justice from Goddard College and went on to get a Ph.D. in sociology at The City University of New York Graduate Center. For my dissertation, I studied women and friendship, later turning that study into a series of books on the topic including "When Friendship Hurts," published by Simon & Schuster, and "Friendshifts: The Power of Friendship and How it Shapes Our Lives," which was published by my own small press, Hannacroix Creek Books, Inc."
What type of services do you provide?
"These days, I've been drawn back into criminology as well as classic sociology and I teach several courses in the Department of Sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, which is part of the The City University of New York. As a sociologist, I feel fortunate that I've been able to have a career that includes writing and teaching, coaching and consulting, as well as researching such fascinating topics as time management, business protocol, and even the sociology of sleep."
What advice would you like to share with students interested in a career in sociology?
"At its core, sociology is studying the way people behave and interact within their societies and culture. My advice to anyone who wants to become a sociologist is to be as open as possible to the many opportunities life and school have to offer including traveling throughout the U.S. and internationally. Reading and scholarship are of course important, but the best sociologists who do seminal research, analyze their own experiences as well as others in uncovering new dynamics of this ever-changing and complex world in which we live."
Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.
