#  Francesca Smith  

 



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 ![Francesca Smith](/sites/g/files/omnuum1481/files/sociology/files/smith_francesca_2.jpg)

 

**Francesca Smith, '14  
Albert M. Fulton, Class of 1897 Prize, class of 2014, for her project entitled "Navigating Barriers, Mobilizing Strengths: How Immigrant Parents' Perceptions of School Involvement Translate into Action"  
  
What have been some highlights of your Sociology experience these past four years?**

The biggest highlight was definitely writing and completing my thesis. Taking lead on my own research project from start to finish was incredibly challenging and so rewarding. I really enjoyed conducting my interviews and getting to see themes from classes and readings come to life as I did my research. Working closely with my adviser and attending tutorial were also a great experiences, and I felt supported every step of the way. It was also an honor to have my thesis read by extremely accomplished sociologists and receive their feedback on my work. I had read a couple of Mary Waters's books and some of her research guided my own question-formation and literature review, so it was especially exciting to have her read my thesis and receive her feedback! I also enjoyed how I was able to take a somewhat interdisciplinary focus in my course of study by taking WGS and HGSE classes as part of my electives.

**What are your post-grad plans?**

I will be working as an education programs coordinator at a community-based non-profit called IBA (Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion). Based in the South End's Villa Victoria neighborhood (which now-Harvard sociologist Mario Small wrote a book about!), IBA works to build community power through education, economic development, technology, and arts. I will be helping with program management/strategy and evaluation for the education-focused programs (preschool, youth/teen programs, and adult education programs). In a few years, I hope to attend grad school to get a degree in social work or education... we'll see!

**Did sociology play a role in helping you select your next opportunity?**

Definitely--the classes that I was able to take on themes of inequality, education, poverty, and race cemented my belief that I wanted to engage in some sort of social justice/service work, and it gave me an academic/intellectual lens to think about the public service work I was doing during college and will continue to do after graduation at IBA. I'm considering a PhD in Education and other graduate school options because of my thesis research/writing experience. I feel like I've grown into a much more socially aware/conscious person because of my sociology experience, which will continue to guide career opportunities I make in the future.