Carolina Ribeiro, '18
Business Analyst, McKinsey and Company, NY

Concentrating in sociology was without a doubt the best decision I made at Harvard. Everyone in the department cares deeply about the undergraduates, and I loved getting to take classes on real-world issues that I felt personally connected to. Completing my senior thesis was definitely the highlight of my college experience. Throughout the research process, I felt very supported by my advisor, peers, and the department as a whole. Writing a thesis taught me about persistence, time management, and critical thinking. I also learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of. I actually grew very emotionally attached to my thesis, so I was a little bit sad to turn it in! I felt so proud that I had taken real ownership of something and driven it all the way to the end. Overall, the thesis experience gave me a newfound confidence to take initiative on projects and see them through to completion, no matter how challenging they seem.

As far as post-grad plans, I am excited to be joining McKinsey and Company's New York City office as a Business Analyst. I know that no matter where my career takes me, sociology has prepared me to take on leadership roles. Sociology has taught me about how people make decisions and how organizations function, which is incredibly important knowledge no matter what field you are in. Sociology has also taught me how to collect, analyze, synthesize, and present data to both experts and non-experts. But I think the most profound way that sociology has impacted my career is by giving me a moral compass to help me shape my goals. In an era when society is growing increasingly cognizant of social injustice, sociology has inspired me to advocate for inclusivity and equality no matter what my job is.