Anissa Larson '21

Major: Sociology - Social Work Track
Minors: Music and Communication

Why this major?

During my freshman year, I actually had a different major and was a sociology minor. I knew that I wanted to switch my major, but I wasn’t sure what to switch to. I had just taken Sociology 101 with Dr. Pinter and loved it! I decided to look into making sociology my major. I loved the idea of having tracks and being able to design my major how I wanted it. The tracks aren’t set in stone, so I was able to move classes around and learn about many different aspects within my major. I also love that every sociology major is unique and might have different goals. The options are endless. Having a background in sociology will help me in the workplace and allow me to approach my work from a different angle.

What is your career objective?

I want to be a high school guidance counselor. I will use my sociology background to be able to reach and understand every student no matter where they are in life.

How has what you’ve learned prepared you for your future?

My favorite class so far has been Gender and Society with Dr. Pinter. In the class, we learned not only about pronouns and terms, but about how to approach different situations through the lens of gender. It has prepared me to take a look at my own biases and make sure that I am treating each student with the same respect as everyone else.

Have you had opportunities to work closely with Carroll faculty?

The small classes at Carroll are really beneficial when it comes to creating a relationship with your professors. It is easier to get more individualized help from them. You also don’t have to continuously introduce yourself to the professors.

What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your education at Carroll?

A lot of sociology classes are based on terms that you can apply to your own life. Taking these classes allows for personal stories and knowledge to be shared. It is a great way for communication between different types of people to occur and to learn about different cultures.

How has Carroll enriched your growth as a person?

At Carroll, I have had many opportunities to explore my other interests. I have minors in music and communication. Having a minor is a great way to expand your major and learn other skills without overloading your schedule with another major. I am also in a sorority, which has helped me learn new time-management skills. Through my sorority, I have also learned to place career development and scholarship at a higher level than I did in high school.

What would you say to someone considering sociology?

I would tell them that the sociology program at Carroll is very flexible and has a lot of opportunities to expand one’s knowledge of the world. You can choose the courses you’re interested in and create your own career path. There are so many people on campus who want to see you succeed and are there to help you.

How has financial aid made a difference in your life?

Without my academic scholarship, I would not have been able to have all of the opportunities that I have had at Carroll.

Learn more about the sociology program

“You can choose the courses that you’re interested in and create your own career path.”

— Anissa Larson '21

Read Anissa's story

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