Sociology panel showcases broad career field

One degree. Three different career paths. And just the tip of the ice berg, according to a group of sociology graduates speaking at Bloomsburg University’s 4th annual College of Liberal Arts Symposium this fall.

“People don’t realize what a broad field this is and all the different career opportunities you can pursue with this degree,” said Lisa DeMelfi ’12, a market researcher at Fors Marsh Group in Arlington, Va.

DeMelfi was joined by Susan Decker ’09, of Rooted Relational Therapy in Mifflinburg, and Sherry Moroz ‘80, a forensic interviewer at the Child Advocacy Center of the Central Susquehanna Valley in Sunbury. Decker spoke about when she was a student, acting as if she was a consumer.

“I was buying my education and wanted to learn as much as my money could get,” Decker said. “I made personal connections with my professors. I didn’t shy away from criticism, and I rounded myself out. I took classes in different departments like education and psychology.”

Demelfi discussed what she wished she would’ve known as a student.

“If you don’t have a great GPA, don’t let it bring you down,” Demelfi said. “You have to realize extra steps have to be taken, and you have to work hard to offset that GPA. Also, don’t think if you have good grades they’re going to carry you. You have to prove what you are capable of. And lastly, it’s a lot of hard work. Know what you’re good at but also know what things you need to improve and grow upon.”

Moroz gave insight about what she was able to accomplish with a sociology degree. As a forensic interviewer, she talks with kids ranging from ages 3 to 18 years old to investigate child abuse claims.

“It’s facility-based so we bring together the police, children and youth services, therapists, DAO and more,” Moroz said. “We work to figure out what’s going on with a family when there’s an allegation of child abuse or when a child is a witness to the crime. Thirty to forty years later, I’ve learned that choosing the right combination of words is important to help a child tell their story. Think about the words that you use and think about how you’re putting your sentences together.”