Student Experiences

High Impact Experiences

Our students and graduates have the opportunity to do Sociology in a wide variety of areas.

Internships

Internships are valuable opportunities. They enable students to try out a particular career or organization, network within a field, and develop skills and experience. We work with each student to provide an internship opportunity that best meets their needs and interests.

Because internships are tailored to particular students, there is a wide range of internship opportunities. Some examples of internship locations include the following: at law offices, the Pre-release Center, the Department of Justice, the Montana Human Rights Network, the court system, juvenile probation, and probation & parole programs. It is not unusual for students to turn internships into jobs after graduation.

Here are some of the organizations with which our students have interned:

  • Juvenile Probation
  • YAM program with Center for Research and Recovery
  • The United Way
  • Helena Police Department
  • Helena Prerelease Center
  • Montana Legal Services
  • ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms)
  • Montana Children's Trust Fund
  • Montana All Threat Intelligence Center - Department of Justice
  • Montana Veterans Foundation - Willis Cruse House
  • Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office
  • Montana Independent Living Project (MILP)
  • The Friendship Center
  • Montana Human Rights Network
  • Big Sky Family Health Clinic
  • Elkhorn Treatment Center

Contact Dr. Jamie Dolan or Carroll College Career Services for more information on internships.

Research

Every Sociology student engages in original research. During their junior year, they develop a research proposal through their theory and research methods courses. During their senior year, they conduct this research with the guidance of a professor. Students may then opt to turn their research into an Honor’s Thesis, to present their research at S.U.R.F (the Carroll College Student Undergraduate Research Festival), to present their research at a professional conference, or to submit it for publication.

Here are some examples of recent Sociology undergraduate student research projects:

  • Downey (2021): “Effects of COVID-19 on Interpersonal Relationships”
  • Conroe (2021): “The Disabled Proletariat and Ableist Bourgeoisie”
  • Wall (2020): “Rural Perspectives on Terrorism: A Study Based in Western Montana”
  • Winter (2020): “Effects of Religion on Perceived Health Outcomes in Individuals with a Chronic Illness”
  • Rosen (2020): “Human and Social Capital Creation in Rural Public Libraries”

Careers

Sociology and Anthropology graduates are doing great things. For example, recent graduates are working in these areas:

  • Law enforcement (police departments and sheriffs’ offices)
  • Corrections (detention centers, prisons, pre-release centers)
  • Parole & probation
  • Child Protective Services
  • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
  • Non-profits like AWARE and 3 Angels Child & Family Services
  • Political offices
  • High schools and colleges
  • Treatment centers

Graduate School

A Sociology B.A. prepares one for a graduate program in many areas. Below are some of the graduate programs of our recent grads:

  • Sociology (MA & PhD)
  • Social Work (MSW)
  • Counseling (MA)
  • Environmental Studies (PhD)
  • Criminal Justice (MA)
  • Law (JD)
  • Education (MA)
  • Seminary (MDIV)
  • Physical Therapy (DPT)

Sociology Honor’s Society: Alpha Kappa Delta

The Sociology Department has been charted as the Delta chapter of Montana of Alpha Kappa Delta, an International Sociology Honor Society to improve the human condition. Sociology students who meet the criteria for AKD are inducted during the annual Honor’s Convocation.

Sociology Professional Organizations

Students are encouraged to join and participate in many of the professional Sociology organizations. Students memberships are reasonably priced and offer wonderful opportunities. Check out the American Sociological AssociationSociologists for Women in Society, the Rural Sociological Society, and others!