Creating Spaces 2021 Welcomes Industry Leaders

On April 19 and 21, students and faculty in Montclair State’s Master of Arts in Social Research and Analysis program will present Creating Spaces 2021 – a virtual series of webinars, panels, lectures and networking sessions for those seeking careers in the social sciences, research, social policy and data analysis.

The two-day interdisciplinary program, which is open to the public, is also sponsored by the University’s Department of Sociology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Feliciano School of Business, Graduate Certificate Program in Data Collection and Management, and The Graduate School.

The program includes sessions with industry leaders across sectors, including Liberty Science Center CFO and Montclair State alumnus Tamour Kousha ’05, Mathematica Senior Survey Researcher Annalee Kelly and Kantar Research VP of Strategic Growth Hannah Soar.

Other speakers include professionals in public policy, education and human services, social services and market research. Alumni and current students in professional settings from the Master of Arts in Social Research and Analysis program will also offer career advice to participants interested in potential professional opportunities in the field.

“Students and alumni across the social sciences and other fields have a chance to pick up great career guidance by joining us for Creating Spaces,” says associate professor of sociology and master’s program coordinator Christopher Donoghue. “They can also learn about the work being done by master’s students in Social Research and Analysis.”

The Master of Arts in Social Research and Analysis is a dynamic degree program that trains students to harness the power of data to improve programs, change social policies and inform business decision making.

Students in the program gain valuable skills in survey writing, focus groups moderating, ethnographic research, data analysis and data and text mining. They can tailor their program by taking electives in social policy research, business analytics, communications and media, or earth and environmental sciences.

“Attending the conference lets you hear from real professionals and ask them questions,” says Donoghue. “It’s a great way to find out if a career is right for you, or if graduate school should be in your plans.”

For more information and to register for Creating Spaces 2021, visit montclair.edu/sociology/creating-spaces-2021-conference-for-aspiring-difference-makers/.