Social and behavioral sciences (SOBS) majors at Seton Hall explained why they chose their major and the different paths post-graduation they plan to take.
Mark Horowitz, director of the social and behavioral sciences program and an associate professor in the sociology department, said he has worked with many SOBS students and explained how he engages with such students.
“Our SOBS academic advisor and I engage students each semester regarding course sequencing, career planning, and information on student support services,” Horowitz said.
Horowitz, who has held his position since the spring of 2015, described how the variety of courses within the program shaped the overall dynamic and options that are offered to students.
Horowitz said students who choose these courses come from a number of majors, such as criminal justice, economics, social work and many more.
Andrea Chavez, a sophomore speech pathology and social and behavioral sciences major, said she is a part of the six-year dual program at Seton Hall.
Previously a social work major, Chavez said she knew from the beginning that she wanted to work with children, particularly those involved in foster care.
Chavez began taking SOBS courses in the spring semester of her sophomore year. Although the courses interest her, Chavez said that understanding the severity behind some of the topics that are discussed deserves a lot of effort, patience and maturity.
“It’s very loaded with a lot of content,” Chavez said. “[It’s] something that can’t be taken lightly.”
Chavez also mentioned that the topics of domestic violence, child abuse and substance abuse especially interest her, like it does for many other students in the program.
Jilliane Laurizio, a junior education and social and behavioral science major, is also part of the six-year program, and said she chose SOBS because of its direct correlation to both education and speech pathology.
Laurizio added all the positives she thinks came from studying SOBS, like the flexible scheduling to post-graduation opportunities. Laurizio said that the variant courses offered in the program helped her get a better understanding of child development and psychology, and it helped boost up her resume.
“It gives me the background knowledge in different areas for things that are applicable to my desired end goal,” she said.
Some of the students with an SOBS major shared that with their major they found a lot of opportunities through the Career Center. Chavez said that with all that has been given to her, she is confident that adding SOBS as her double major was a smart decision.
“It is definitely an interesting field of work,” Chavez said. “You can do absolutely anything with it.”
The vast array of students with different career plans are a part of the SOBS program. The broad course work and teachings lead to the many routes by students who graduate with a degree in this field.
Horowitz said that despite the vast array of students with different career plans, there are still a lot of commonalities between them.
“SOBS students are among the most diverse at Seton Hall,” Horowitz said.
"An interest in helping others and making a difference in the world is perhaps a trait that unites them all.”
Ronald Castaneda can be reached at ronald.castaneda@student.shu.edu.
