Zack Alden

• Year of study: Year 3 (final year – in 2021/22)
• Length of study: 3 Years
• Twitter: /zackaldenx

Why did you decide to study at the University of Northampton?

Well in all honesty the University of Northampton was my insurance choice, chosen because I was offered an unconditional placement.

What are your career goals/aspirations?

The plan right now, is to get into secondary education and maybe help students enjoy sociology as much as I did.

How do you think your studies will help your career or personal development when you graduate?

They have impacted me in a tremendously positive way. The reason that I love this university (and the sociology department especially) is because of the personal growth it offers, I think that studying sociology, especially with this group of lecturers, has allowed me to become a more mature and well-rounded person. It has developed critical thinking skills in me that are rarely, if ever, taught in primary and secondary education, and this is more valuable to me personally than any potential career path.

Which, if any, skills and knowledge/understanding gained on your degree do you feel will be most useful in your future career?

Critical thinking skills are certainly necessary in any future career. The UON sociology team has certainly inspired the development of critical thinking within me, and, to me, that is a deeply valuable skill in regards to any career, and life in general.

Outside of this, though, and in direct relation to teaching as a career goal, sociology is deeply interested in the way that education is used and the systemic structures of education, as well as different pedagogies and the ways that they can impact students, and this knowledge is directly useful with attempting to enter a career in that field.

Does your course have a placement year or module?

Yes

Have you completed a placement year? Where was it and what was your role?

This sociology degree usually has a placement module, or the opportunity to go on a field trip. Because of Covid, however, we were not able to experiences these modules.

In one sentence, what advice would you give to undergraduates interested in this career path or anything you wish you had known earlier?

Just try and have a good time while you’re here, there is plenty of time for essay writing and doing the weekly readings, but making friends, having conversations with people, getting out there, that’s all integral to your personal growth too.

In ten words, or less how would you summarise your UON experience?

Great! If I could do it again, I would!