School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Tom Siller '12

Job: Lawyer Major(s): Sociology

An interview with Tom

What was your hometown when you came to TCNJ?

Cherry Hill, NJ

Where do you currently call your hometown?

South Philadelphia

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

I had no clue. And that's the great thing about a degree in sociology, it gives you the flexibility to pivot and carve your own path.

What was your first job after graduating?

City Year (AmeriCorps Program)

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

As an attorney representing indigent clients, my sociology background shows up everyday. I was a public defender for 5.5 years, and now I represent tenants facing eviction in landlord tenant court. My background in sociology gave me a broader appreciation for why people end up in the situations they do once I meet them in court.

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

My favorite memory from my time as a sociology major would honestly be all of the really interesting electives I got to take. The sociology program was very flexible and allowed me to take classes that I was interested in. Many of these electives were also interactive and had robust discussions - which I really enjoyed. Specifically, in the sociology department I took an elective on education systems in America and we visited/toured an inner city school in Trenton, and then visited/toured a highly touted prep school. I also took an elective within the sociology department that was based on crime and punishment and that class was actually held at the Mercer County Jail alongside Mercer County inmates. I found both of these classes absolutely fascinating, these are experiences that are unique to the sociology department and I am very grateful for them.