Jessica (Scardino) Kurzam '14

An interview with Jessica

What was your hometown when you came to TCNJ?

Marlboro, NJ

Where do you currently call your hometown?

Howell, NJ

When you were studying here, where did you picture yourself after graduation?

During my time at TCNJ I costantly changed "what I wanted to be when I grew up". It was hard for me to identify the right career path. At first I thought I would be an elementary school teacher, then a sociology professor, and at the time of graduation, an attorney.

What was your first job after graduating?

Assistant Paralegal

How do you use your Sociology degree in your current career and other activities?

As an Operations Manager I use microsociology to help me understand how to motivate my team of direct reports as a group and to build and maintain a positive company culture between department groups. I also use sociology in my volunteer activities such as the Junior League of Monmouth County. Our current focus is addressing period poverty for children and adolescents who menstruate. My sociology classes, particularly my SOC 499 internship, inspired an interest in giving back through community development.

What is your favorite "major memory" from your time as a Sociology student?

My favorite memory as a sociology major was summer MUSE research with Dr. Elizabeth Borland. We traveled along the Jersey Shore studying how communities used art to rebuild following Hurricane Sandy. This branch of sociology is called visual sociology and we even published an article in a book!

What is some advice you would give to your undergraduate self?

Don't underestimate the power of studying in groups. Sometimes hearing a topic explained in a different way or teaching it to a peer is more effective than independent study.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would encourage any student to seek internship and/or research experiences early and often. The skills I developed through these experiences were helpful in the job application process. They helped me to stand apart from other applicants and secure a job that started the week after graduation. I also have a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University with concentrations in Information Management/Analytics and Finance. The skills from SOC 399 really helped me to succeed in analytics. These skills are very desireable in the corporate world.