Career Conversations Panel Series:
Career Conversations with Sociology Grads
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
5:00–7:00 pm
Harry Crowe Room (Room 109 Atkinson College)
In partnership with the Centre for Student Success, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.
Sponsored by York University Alumni Relations.
About the Event
Wondering what you can do with your Sociology degree? Want to meet York Alumni and other Sociology graduates currently enjoying exciting careers?
During this panel professionals with Sociology degrees will share their personal stories, how their career paths took them from graduation to where they are now, what knowledge, skills and experience helped them succeed in their jobs and what types of opportunities are available for Sociology graduates. The panel will be moderated by one of the Career Centre's team members and followed by an open forum where students will have an opportunity to ask the panelists their own questions.
Participating Panelists:
Susan Brown
Senior Policy Advisor, City of Toronto, Economic Development
Alumna: MA Sociology, York University, 1986
PhD Sociology in Education, University of Toronto, 1993
For ten years I have worked as a Senior Policy Advisor in Economic Development at the City of Toronto. No two days are alike in this job.
One day I might be working with an intergovernmental team answering a
questionnaire for the OECD, the next I might be writing a speech for a
councillor on the economic importance of immigrants to Toronto. My work is
always changing, often challenging, and never boring.
Deborah Davidson
Dr./Assistant Professor, York University
Alumna: PhD Sociology, York University
I returned to university after a long hiatus. Originally when I returned, my goal was to complete my ordinary degree. However, the closer I got to that goal, the more I knew that wouldn't be enough. I continued until I completed my PhD in Sociology here at York. I taught for several years as contract faculty and now I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology. Having such a varied and long relationship with York, I am one of its most enthusiastic boosters! I love our students and I love teaching! York is a wonderfully rich environment in which teaching and learning is an honour. Mentoring past and present students is very important to me. I am faculty advisor for three student clubs and I mentor several students from courses I taught previously.
Bonnie Granata
Manager, Government Solutions, Giesecke and Devrient Systems Canada Inc.
Alumna: BA Sociology and Political Science, York University, 2007
My education and involvement at York led me to take on leadership roles that opened the door to many career opportunities. After graduation, I gained over 4 years of government sector experience in the capacity of political advisor in municipal government. I continued on to perform research for UofT's Faculty of Medicine in the "Future of Medical Education in Canada Project", of which I am a contributor and co-author in various themes. My most recent endeavour is in the provision of secure technology innovations for the Government sphere while concurrently pursuing my Masters in Public Policy, Administration, and Law.
