Undergraduate Alumni
Our department seeks to support and build upon the richness and diversity of the region in which we are embedded. Our alumni report that our core classes in theory, research methods, and social statistics gave them meaningful skills that they use in their daily work. Are you interested in being profiled? We're always looking to connect with our alumni! Contact us at [email protected].

BA Sociology and Political Science, 2018
Current Position: Director of Leadership Programs at LatinoLEAD in St. Paul, MN
I just moved back from Los Angeles, CA after completing my masters (University of Southern California, Sol Price School of Public Policy) and now live in St. Paul, MN. I serve as the Director of Leadership Programs at LatinoLEAD. LatinoLEAD is a non-profit organization that creates programs and support policies for Minnesota Latines to move toward leadership, equity, achievement, and development.
I majored in sociology and political science. I grew up in a working class, mixed status immigrant household, and was the first person in my family to go to college. Ever since I was a kid, I knew there were a lot of inequalities in our world. I [studied] Sociology and political science to [learn] why these problems exist, and my education and experience within and outside the classroom to learn how to fix these problems.
I have been a public servant for almost 10 years, and my ability to critically understand the research, the complexities, and most importantly, the people [related to that work] is rooted in a liberal arts education. You need to be holistic, inclusive, inquisitive, and be able to honor your lived experience while challenging your own biases when you serve the public. Ultimately, I want to make the world a better place for you and for me!

BA Sociology of Law, Criminology & Deviance, 2015
Current Position: Criminal Investigator for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office
The first thing I realized post-grad is how thankful I was to have such an encompassing major. Sociology of law, criminology, and deviance provided me with a great opportunity to learn more about my passions in criminology and criminal behaviors while tying in the Sociology aspect studying the development, structure, and functions of human society in general.
With a major and classes tailored to study criminology, I was able to get an internship with the Minneapolis Police Department my senior year in the financial fraud/narcotics unit. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had personally and academically. As an extra perk, being a sociology major provided me with many scholarship opportunities to finance my internship. The combination of studying criminology and experiencing criminal behaviors first hand solidified that I had chosen the right major and future career path. Before graduation, I was offered my dream job of being an Investigator for the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. I investigate allegations of Medicaid fraud as well as allegations of vulnerable adult abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. I love what I do; I am constantly learning and I get to study criminology in the real world every day.

BA Sociology, 2012
Current Position: PhD student in sociology at UMN
I am one of the few people I know who actually gets to do what he loves. My undergraduate sociology degree at UMN was instrumental for getting into and succeeding in graduate school. I am currently a second-year PhD student in sociology at the U of M. Ultimately, I plan to become a professor at a college that emphasizes teaching. Some of the things that really helped along the way… My theory class with Professor Teresa Gowan and my honors proseminar course with Professor Joachim Savelsberg gave me the writing skills and foundational knowledge to be an effective sociologist. Research methods was not my favorite class, but it paved the way for me to get an undergraduate research assistantship—in retrospect, I appreciate its value. I was also an undergraduate teaching assistant, which has made a positive difference in my ability to teach writing skills to current undergraduates. I gained a lot at UMN through my time in various classes, student organizations, and campus life, but there is no place that has better prepared me for where I am today than the sociology department.

BS Sociology; Minors in Social Justice and Public Health, 2018
Current Position: JD/MPH student at Georgetown Law and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Through my educational and advocacy experiences, I have learned that many health issues are legal issues and that providing this bridge of legal support can help in reducing health disparities. For my honors thesis, I examined how healthcare-legal partnerships (HLPs) are challenging the biomedical paradigm in medicine through interviews with HLP advocates and focus groups with patients, who are the most important stakeholders in this process and yet, their voices are missing completely from health care research and policies. I wish to expand on my current work and navigate creative and effective ways to advance health equity as I pursue my JD/MPH from Georgetown Law and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The Department of Sociology has supported me immensely in my educational pursuits and journey through several scholarships and countless hours of guidance. The unwavering support of my professors, peers, and colleagues has helped me in developing a strong sense of self and in reflecting on my lived experiences. It is with this support that I feel determined to foster global and brave conversations, build equitable systems and communities, and make healthcare an affordable and accessible human right for all.
View Prashasti's inspiring story "Brown, Female, & Proud" on YouTube.
Ways to Connect with CLA Students
Students are looking to connect with you, our alumni. They're looking for advice, career stories, mentors, informational interviews, internships, and even jobs. Can you help? A day, an hour, or even the few minutes it takes to answer an email can make a big difference. Learn how you can connect with CLA students.