I think back to my degree with great fondness and pride. I landed in Sociology with no previous experience and started the course feeling daunted and unsure if this was the right choice for my own personal development. I was welcomed and assured by a team that affirmed I was in the right place should I want to see the world in an enhanced way and develop skills that can make an impact on society. The course was well-balanced between classical philosophy, contemporary theory, political perspectives, historical contexts and current affairs. We were encouraged and supported to develop our own sociological minds in order to understand and critique the social world around us, and relate that sociological thinking to key events that were going on at the time.
After graduating I ended up working in the private sector. Although I was incredibly appreciative to have such a role, it did not fulfil me as my sociological mind was not being stretched. As such I decided to work in a higher impact role as a special needs teaching assistant and a year later progressed to a cover supervisor in a comprehensive secondary school in South London. Another year later, I have just finished my PGCE in Religious Studies and got a job in Brighton where I will teach Citizenship, Religious Studies and Sociology.
Sociology at CCCU has completely changed my perspective on the world around me and the events that transpire within it. It has taught me to question and challenge situations of disadvantage and injustice, to promote equality of opportunity for all. It has taught me to empathise with groups that differ from my own, and to promote understanding and acceptance towards minority groups. It has taught me that positive relationships between different communities are the best way to eliminate prejudice and discrimination. In my teaching I continue to motivate and inspire my pupils the same way as my lecturers did to me.