Sociology 2018 Newsletter

SOCIOLOGY NEWSLETTER | Issue #3 18 The Department of Sociology offers applied degrees in four areas: Law, Crime and Social Justice; Environment and Society; Social Services; and Anthropology. Along the way to earning their degree, students in these areas must complete an internship with an organization or program that relates to their field. This year, we spoke with two students who recently completed internships related to Law, Crime, and Social Justice. Tristen Cook spent her time at the Oklahoma City field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where she worked “side by side on various projects with the diverse individuals who spe‐ cialize in various fields.” For example, she was assigned to work “on a task force that worked cooperatively with local and state law enforcement agencies throughout Oklahoma,” such as the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma City Police De‐ partment. She said that her internship solidified her belief that “this is where I belong and will pursue my career. The people, the work, and the core values for which the Bureau stands all lined up with what I want my future to look like. Some might just think the acronym only stands for Federal Bureau of Investigation but it also stands for Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity .” U n d e r g r a d u a t e I n t e r n s h i p s As a Victim/Witness Coordinator in the District Attorney’s Office, Aubrey Cruce’s work varied daily and included tasks like answering phones, sending subpoena letters, and observing court proceedings. Through her internship, Aubrey was able to see firsthand how “things that we would talk about in class…actually play[ed] out in the courtroom.” Her experience taught her that “you never know what people are going through…but being able to provide some comfort to [victims] was very rewarding.”