Alumni Outcomes

Dr. Nick Schneeman, a sociology major who received his medical degree from the University of Minnesota, takes on only the most complicated cases. His average patient is 85 years old and has multiple health issues like dementia, an absent family, or absolutely no financial resources. “Everything I’ve done in my vocation has been built on the pillars of my Notre Dame education. It’s a remarkable community and dualistic message. You can be a liberal arts guy and go to medical school. You can take care of the frail elderly the right way and turn a profit. You can have it both ways—and not only can you, but that’s what you’re expected to do.”

"Sociology gives you an incredible background and a multitude of lenses to look through. What motivates humans, how different institutions impact the way society runs, group dynamics, or social movements, or social networks. You bring multiple different theoretical frameworks to bear on social problems. Sociology has really allowed me to not only ask good focused questions about social problems but then when I get an answer, to be able to dissect that answer in a way that allows some kind of positive response," said Pete Freeman, who majored in sociology, gender studies, and peace studies. 

“There are several important skills I learned while majoring in Sociology that have helped me become a better law student. I learned how to read quickly and critically, write well, and think through issues thoroughly and come up with creative but realistic solutions. “I use what I learned in my Sociology major every day. While studying at law school, interning at a corporate law firm, or simply interacting with others, I have found that Sociology helps me better understand how institutions operate and how to navigate different situations,” said Kiki Manzur, who majored in sociology and the Program of Liberal Studies.

“Sociology gives you a way to look at a situation, and rather than taking something at face value, you look below the surface and try to find the not-so-obvious reasons and not-so-obvious solutions," says Sarah Hart, a sociology major. “In the corporate setting, sociology has definitely given me a wide range of skills that can be applied to almost anything. Critical thinking, delving deep into a problem and finding a solution, interacting with people, communicating your thoughts and ideas—those are transferable skills you can use in absolutely any workplace.”