Jaide Talmadge '20
Equal Opportunity Specialist
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 

When I started at Harvard, I was not exactly sure what I wanted to study- all I knew was I had a passion for service instilled in me from my family and high school community. Sociology gave me the opportunity to explore and eventually zero in on my interests.

My first sociology class, Introduction to Global Social Change, revealed to me just how much the concentration aligned with my interests and passion. Since then, other courses such as SOCIOL 1167 Sociology of Law, SOCIOL 1144 Economic Sociology, SOCIOL 98WE Poverty, SOCIOL 1131 Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector, allowed me to focus on just how I wanted to contribute to the world post-graduation.

Currently, I work as an Equal Opportunity Specialist with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. My experience in Sociology with critically thinking through and assessing real world issues has helped me immensely as I navigate my role in affirmatively furthering fair housing.