socworkDEFN

Public policy and administration is a career path that is often categorized with careers in government. The goals of careers in public policy, administration, and government include rendering public service and responding to the needs of constituents. In general, careers in this field address the following five areas of human needs: 1) Health, 2) Safety, 3) Social welfare, 4) Economic welfare, and 5) Education (Sproles, p. 194).

Case Study: Louis Bonilla
Executive Director - Consortium for Latino Health

Louis Bonilla, Executive Director for the Consortium for Latino Health, majored in sociology. The Consortium for Latino Health is an organization that improves health and social services for the Latino community in Philadelphia. Louis has a Bachelor's degree from Haverford College, a Master's degree from Bryn Mawr College, and a Master's degree in Public Policy from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School. Louis knew he wanted to work with racially mixed, low income communities. At first, however, he had not considered majoring in sociology.

"I was looking for a blow-off course in my sophomore year and sociology sounded the easiest," said Bonilla. "It turned out to be the hardest and the most rewarding." After completing the course he decided sociology would be beneficial for the career he had chosen. "I wanted to work with the community I grew up in," he said. "I wanted to interact with low income communities and Philadelphia families. Sociology provided me the guide to, not only understand my community, but to also understand the communities of the world. I also learned excellent research and writing skills."

While in college, Louis did numerous volunteer projects and internships, including an internship with an organization called Congreso de Latino Unidas. This organization developed research projects and provided HIV/AIDS education to communities in North Philadelphia. "The experience I gained at this job helped me get the job I have now," he said.

His duties as Executive Director at the Consortium for Latino Health include gathering and distributing information, writing grants and proposals, fund raising, project operations and summer programs. One project Louis finds very rewarding is the Summer Science Program. This program is designed to encourage students to pursue a career in healthcare.

"We have found that few Latinos are employed in the healthcare field," said Louis. "It is a national trend but its more acute in Philadelphia. The education system is to blame. In Philadelphia there is a 70% high school drop out rate." During the summer, students who have completed ninth grade get hands-on experience at Allegheny and Jefferson hospitals. They also take courses in the areas of math, science and literature. There is also a weekly speaker series where students deal first hand with professionals and management staff.

The program is only a few years old so results have been minimal. "It will take a good ten years to get the results we want," he said. "I know I'm working towards a cause. My background in sociology helped me with that cause. It is a good counter weight to all the economic perspectives you learn in public policy."

Case Study: William
Staff Administrator - Public Policy Agency

Through his undergraduate studies, William became interested in using his knowledge to serve people. William saw his B.A. in sociology as a tool for providing services to people in need in the large metropolitan area. With the help of his professors, he found an internship in an inner city shelter for the homeless. After two semesters helping conduct a count of the area's homeless population, William decided to apply for a job with the city's Department of Human Services.

William works as a program coordinator. He draws on his internship experiences as well as his undergraduate sociology courses in the family, social stratification, communities, and group dynamics.

William's work includes routine processing of reports and legal forms. It also involves extensive contact with agency clients and direct engagement with the problems of the poor, disabled, homeless, elderly, and minorities. He combines his efforts with those of other employees. He utilizes his knowledge regarding how human services and welfare systems work. William often acts as a trouble shooter by providing help to clients who might otherwise "fall between the cracks."

William's job requires him to maintain contacts with other public and private agencies that affect the lives of the poor. For example, one of his friends from college now works on the staff of a large community mental health center. Another friend is involved in supervising rehabilitation for state penitentiary inmates. Like William, these two individuals are using their sociology degrees as a foundation for social service positions. All three receive satisfaction from being able to experience day-to-day accomplishments in helping others.

William's salary is commensurate with the wage scales of public sector employees. He could progress through Civil Service channels to a career of relative security. However, he is considering going back to school to earn a graduate degree, enabling him compete for administrative positions.

Taken from:
(1995). Careers in sociology (4th ed.). American Sociological Association: Washington, D.C.

Return to Career and Graduate School Information

What Schools Offer Relevant Graduate Programs?

American International College

Pace University

American University

Princeton University

Bernard M. Baruch College, City University of New York (C.U.N.Y)

Sage Graduate School

Brandeis University

State University of New York (S.U.N.Y) at Albany

Bridgewater State College