Peer advisors

Contact any of the peer advisors for a student perspective on the major!

Interested in becoming a peer advisor? It's a great way to be involved in the major, meet new people, and spread the word about sociology! Applications are due every May.

Karina Gonzalez

Email: karinag0 [at] stanford.edu (karinag0[at]stanford[dot]edu)

Area of Study: Sociology BAH with a secondary major in Urban Studies

Why I majored in Sociology? I chose to major in Sociology because I have always been fascinated by how our social context shapes our experiences and opportunities, especially when it comes to education. As a first-generation student, sociology has helped me better understand the world around me and recognize how our behaviors, perceptions, and life choices are shaped by the social groups we are a part of as well as the institutions that surround us.

My favorite Sociology class: SOC 149: The Urban Underclass with Professor Michael Rosenfeld! I loved how the course created such an enriching conversation around the ways policies surrounding residential segregation decades ago continue to shape our communities. The class also introduced me to critical literature and renowned authors within Sociology that I continue to re-visit due to their valuable insight.

My post-Stanford plans: After Stanford, I hope to continue to explore my interests surrounding educational formation and how our residential contexts shape our educational experiences by pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. Long term, I hope to apply what I’ve learned through my research and varied coursework by becoming a Sociology professor to continue to explore these questions with future students.

Citlali Ayala-Martinez

Email: %20cayala27 [at] stanford.edu ( cayala27[at]stanford[dot]edu)

Area of study: BAH Sociology Traditional Track with a Spanish minor

Why I majored in Sociology? Sociology gave me a new lens through which to understand the experiences, behaviors, and assumptions that I had once considered simply “normal.” As I continued taking sociology classes, I noticed that I felt genuinely enthusiastic about going to class and engaging with the material.That enthusiasm helped me realize that Sociology was a field I wanted to pursue beyond the classroom. I was also drawn to the flexibility of the major, which allowed me to connect my interests in race, culture, and identity with my interest in psychology.

My favorite Sociology class: SOC 189: Race and Immigration with Professor Asad (I highly recommend taking a class with Professor Asad at least once during your time at Stanford!)

My post-Stanford plans: After Stanford, I hope to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually build a career as both a researcher and psychologist. I am interested in how cultural identity shapes mental health symptoms and influences individuals’ decisions about seeking and engaging with professional treatment. I hope to contribute to the still-limited body of research on Latino mental health, while also serving Latino communities as a psychologist.

Rosario Chavez

Email: rosarioc [at] stanford.edu ( rosarioc[at]stanford[dot]edu)

Area of Study: BA Traditional Track

Why I majored in Sociology: I've always loved observing the social contexts around me and studying Sociology has helped me to articulate many of my observations. It has also led me to read studies about similar contexts and findings, which has been extremely fascinating.

My favorite Sociology class: The Changing American Family with Professor Rosenfeld! The class is very well thought out and introduced me to thinking about the sociology of the family, which led me to dive deeper into the study of gender as well!

My post-Stanford plans: After Stanford, I hope to pursue a law degree and potentially go into civil rights law. I am particularly interested in voting rights law and sex discrimination law, especially given how much the two have evolved in recent years.