Community-engaged research provides the unique opportunity for researchers to help support positive change in our communities. In my own research...

Community-engaged research provides the unique opportunity for researchers to help support positive change in our communities. In my own research, my collaboration with the Canadian Mental Health Association provides the tools and resources that enable us to share the knowledge gained from our research in a more impactful way.

The courses you choose at Mac will help determine your career pathway. I would also recommend joining MSU committees and volunteer in the community. You will learn so...

What have you found most beneficial about the specific degree program you completed at McMaster?

What I found to be most beneficial about my degree is that the work you complete during your time at McMaster truly transfer over to the work you complete in your career. The dynamic is very much the same when working in a school project team vs. a work project team. Deadlines still need to be respected, teamwork is valued and ultimately everyone is here for the same reason. The life lessons you learn in your program will be utilized when you graduate university on a daily basis.

In your opinion, what is the value of a social science degree?

What I found to be most beneficial about my Sociology and Anthropology degree is the understanding of how valuable community is to our society. As I continue my career in the Labour Market field, I notice a lot of my Stats courses and Cultural Anthropology courses really come in hand when dealing with community organizations and partnerships. The Social Sciences really prepare you for everyday work life balance.

What advice would you give to a current Social Sciences student who is exploring?career options?

Try to move towards the courses that you are interested in and that suite your personality. If you prefer to work alone, take courses that focus on individual work. If you like to work in group settings and presentation, investigate experiential learning courses. Always read the course outline that can be found on google before determining what class to pick. The courses you choose at Mac will help determine your career pathway. I would also recommend joining MSU committees and volunteer in the community. You will learn so much about yourself that way!

Partnerships with post secondary institutions are tremendously important in the development of evidence based research and best practice guidelines...

Partnerships with post secondary institutions are tremendously important in the development of evidence based research and best practice guidelines. However some partnerships go beyond that and develop a synergy and a network of ideas that become incredibly fruitful projects. Creativity is the ability to take an idea and make it tangible. The collaboration between McMaster University and YWCA Hamilton has turned several ideas into fully formed and comprehensive research grant proposals and applications. This process has helped bridge connections between passionate experts and researchers in the field with the on the ground project managers and nonprofit organizations doing the work. This has been tremendously beneficial to both stakeholders, and eventually we hope that we can then use the products and outcomes of the research projects to inform our practice so that we can benefit the most important stakeholders; the participants of our programs