Interviews
Professor interviews
Prof. dr. Wim van Oorschot
Co-chair of the Network for European Social Policy Analysis
Coordinator of the European Data Center for Work and Welfare
"My main research interest is in the field of work and social protection.
As a prime source of income and social participation, work is a very
important aspect of people’s lives. However, there are situations in
which people cannot work and earn an income, such as when they are
sick or disabled, old, have to take care of children, are made redundant,
or cannot find a job after leaving school. In such situations the welfare
state offers income support through a range of benefits and subsidies
(pensions, social assistance, unemployment benefits, etc)."
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prof. dr. Paul de Graaf
Professor in Sociology
"In the Master of Sociology many topics are studied, ranging from the welfare state to the individual life-course and from the labour market to research skills. Theory and research are always combined, and the topics cover a broad overview of current-day social problems. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this Master will help you towards establishing your place in the next generation of Sociologists."
Dr. Wilfred Uunk
Program Director of MSc Sociology
"The Master in Sociology is in an English-taught, one-year program at the Master’s level. The program focuses on the sociological analysis of problems of social inequality and social cohesion in contemporary Western societies, from a micro perspective (family, social networks, social mobility) and from a macro perspective (welfare state, solidarity). In the courses of our Master’s program, theory and research are combined, and the topics cover a broad overview of current-day social problems. The knowledge and skills you acquire in this Master will help you towards establishing your place in the next generation of Sociologists."
Student interviews
Bram van Asten, The NetherlandsStudent of MSc Sociology
"The Master’s program offers more draught into the world of Sociology, theoretically as well as methodologically. In this phase, not only learning about Sociology, but especially experiencing Sociology in the sense that you are actually performing research on topics that are of interest to you, is of great importance. Sociology offers me an open and widely orientated viewpoint on the world. I also look at certain social events more carefully and witness them more critically."
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Alumni interviews
Mirjam de Jong, The NetherlandsAlumna of MSc Sociology
“In 2007 I started working for Capgemini, an internationally based company which provides services in consulting, technology and outsourcing. This meant entering into a hectic playing field with multiple layers, and a whole new set of skills to learn. What brought me to the company was its international position and growth potential within the IT sector.
Working in projects provides me with the opportunity to work with teams from different backgrounds and cultures, which makes my job really interesting. It offers me the possibility to apply my Sociology skills to practice, which renders me a unique selling point as a consultant. Being inquisitive by nature is something that opens many doors in the business world and a quality that can be used in a lot of different ways.
Besides my regular day job I am also part of the Works Council for Capgemini Netherlands which gives me a good insight into the workings of my company. My future goals are to further my career towards project management, because I really enjoy working in the dynamic field of projects and project teams. I am sure that when I get there a new goal will appear on the horizon, because when you start working, you just continue learning.”
Global / English