Undergraduate Studies - Student Voices
Rebecca Sickenberger (Women’s Studies Honors Student 2006-07)
While the WMST program was wonderful in its variety of courses from which to choose, I wanted to graduate feeling as though I had developed some type of focus or specialization which I felt was missing from the program. The opportunity of an organized research project over the course of a year provided that sort of specialization for which I was searching. Additionally, I was aware that by completing this research I would establish a greater relationship to the faculty of the program, allowing me to also learn from their variety of experiences and backgrounds.
The WMST program is unlike any other program that I encountered at the University. As a triple major (Psychology, Criminology, and WMST), I encountered a variety of courses. However, no course taught me to question, re-evaluate, and analyze the social underpinnings of our society like those within the WMST program. This sort of "out of the box" thinking freed me from what I deemed to be an otherwise "conventional" education. Additionally, no where else at the University did I encounter professors who so greatly inspired me to follow my dreams. The community of WMST was extremely encouraging, and the faculty go to great lengths to help students to succeed. As a first year law student, I am utilizing the writing skills I developed as I prepared my thesis. My writing improved dramatically into the analytical framework critical to legal writing. Additionally, the work has fine-tuned my interest to women's health public policy which I plan to pursue upon graduation. While the honors program is rigorous, the sense of accomplishment after completing such a tremendous project is well worth the effort. The demonstration of such effort is helpful for any future endeavors, whether they be grad school or work.
Sara Jaye’s Thoughts (Women’ Studies Honors Student and Dean’s Senior Scholar 2006-07)
I opted to do women's studies honors because I wanted something that would really challenge me my last couple of years here, and I really wanted to be able to study and research on my own. My experience working with women's studies professors was amazing. They were all incredibly supportive. It really is a unique opportunity to work with faculty who are so committed to your learning. My thesis advisor gave me a lot of freedom with the project, which was a great fit.
I would strongly recommend the BA in Women's Studies to other undergraduates, for a variety of reasons. First, far more than some liberal arts degrees, it is very grounded in concrete, contemporary issues in our society and culture. Another reason I strongly recommend women's studies is that it is interdisciplinary. This was great for me, since I had an interest in taking classes in a variety of fields. But furthermore, the degree is flexible so that you can also tailor it towards your own interests and really prepare yourself for whatever professional future you're interested in. Because of this, women's studies can be a great preparation for and complement to almost any graduate program, professional or academic.
Finally, a huge focus in every women's studies class I have ever taken is critical thinking. You really can't approach any issue from a feminist angle without being able to critically analyze it, and those skills are so necessary in every academic field (and in my experience, in life in general). I know that my training in women's studies has affected the way I see and analyze the world.
I think that my women's studies degree has been really helpful since graduating. I work for an organization that I started interning with (for women's studies credit) that seeks to improve the health of women who partner with women. My women's studies classes helped me get perspective on and learn some basics about women's health. But most importantly, since health disparities for LGBT people are so inextricably intertwined with our political status, women's studies really helped me to be able to understand and analyze the intersections of all the factors involved. If I had to describe my women's studies degree in one word, it would be relevant! Everyone should take at least one class.
Erin Reddy (Dean’s Senior Scholar 2007/08)
The WMST faculty has been nurturing, encouraging, and involved through
every step of my undergraduate career. From helping me plot my
coursework, to mentoring me in my independent study, to giving me the
courage to study abroad in India for a year, and finally in helping me
develop a thesis, the faculty has allowed me to grow in a direction
best suited for my potential while simultaneously preserving my
independence. I have found they are consistently and genuinely
enthusiastic about listening, discussing, debating, and advising
Women's Studies students.
I think that the BA in WMST works well for students who are ready for a writing intensive,norm-challenging, truth-testing discourse in an intimate academic setting. WMST is not an easy field. It will
frustrate you, defy your sense of reality, pressure you to constantly
read between the lines, and force you to reconcile with words,
thoughts, ideas, theories, and histories that once seemed clear and
straightforward. It is for these exact reasons I would recommend a
WMST degree. The most rewarding academic endeavor is often the most
difficult.
One of the strengths of the WMST department is its small size.
Particularly at a large research university like Maryland, many
students are hard-pressed to find the attention and focus they need
from faculty. WMST students do not just talk to their professors and
advisors, they get to know them. I have never been turned away by a
professor and the majority always leave their door open (even after
office hours). The faculty truly value their students.
Another strength of the program is the freedom to pursue
interdisciplinary interests and activities. As a WMST major I was able
to participate in the University Honors Program, conduct an
independent study project with a professor from the Sociology
Department, and study abroad in India for a full year. I can graduate knowing that the WMST faculty has invested in me as a student and as a person, and that is a truly wonderful feeling.
