Hometown: Whitemore Lake, MI

Major/Minor: Major: Sociology, Minor: Spanish

Campus Organizations: Sigma Phi aka the “Metal Frat”, SOUL

Let's get to know Laura...

What inspired you to major in Sociology?

I took Soc 100 just out of curiosity during my first semester of freshman year and it totally changed the way I thought about the world. With everything I learned my curiosity grew even stronger and I just felt like my heart and brain were made to do this kind of work.

What classes have you most enjoyed? Why?

My favorite so far has been Sociology of Latin America taught by Robert Jansen, who also taught the intro course that I found so inspiring. Soc of Latin America has been my favorite of all the classes that I’ve taken at UM so far because it helped me gain a lot of new perspectives on a part of the world I was previously very unfamiliar with. I loved how Professor Jansen ran the class in a way that allowed the students to really take control of the discussion and make insightful discoveries on their own. I learned so much and was able to break down a lot of the cultural myths I had grown up with in a very short period of time.

Have you participated in an internship or research experience?

I helped research the experiences of First Generation college students here at UMich through the SOUL program.

What advice would you give to students considering a major in Sociology at UM?

My advice would be to stay open to the many different roads that Sociology can lead you down. There are many different opportunities and potential career paths, but you have to do some investing in yourself and the communities you care about to find them.

What do you hope to do after graduating from Michigan?

After earning my Bachelor’s at Michigan I hope to pursue a Master’s degree of Public Policy.

Where is the best place in Ann Arbor to get late-night study food?

BTB