James Condo

How did you choose your degree program?

I chose my degree program during my first semester of Freshman year. I was in an Honors College research course and I was researching the school-to-prison pipeline. I realized that the majority of the existing literature on the topic was in the field of Sociology, and I wanted to pursue a degree in a discipline that examined the sources of inequalities and social injustices, and potentially ways to mitigate these injustices.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

My academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have had a hugely positive impact on my personal and academic growth. The multiple research opportunities alongside rigorous educational experiences in the theory and practice of Sociology have been influential in my way of thinking and understanding the world, as well as influential on my career aspirations.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my participation in the Democratizing Northern Virginia Project as part of the Next System Fellowship, in which the team was given a Seeds of Change award by Social Action and Integrative Learning for Community Engagement. I am also proud of having received an Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from the department of Sociology and Anthropology.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

A faculty member who has made a major difference during my Mason career has been Dr. Ben Manski, who has been a great mentor. During the Next System Fellowship at Mason Square in the Spring of 2022, Dr. Manski was an excellent teacher and mentor, and he continues to do so as my supervisor in my role as Communications Specialist for Next System Studies, and my mentor for the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program with OSCAR at GMU.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

Between graduation and attending graduate school, I plan on working as a substitute teacher, as this is a very needed service and will be great for temporary work. In the long-term, I am currently applying to graduate programs in Sociology and Urban Planning. If Sociology is the best route, I will pursue a career in academia. If Urban Planning provides the best financial opportunities for graduate education, I will work for a municipality or the private sector as either a transportation or environmental planner.