CASAE has provided professional opportunities for over 54 students enrolled in the Sociology program at Humboldt State University. Most of these opportunities included work on one of CASAE’s program evaluations. The involvement of over half of the students has been based on paid employment. The amount of time students have been involved in paid activities has varied widely, but the estimated minimum has been ten hours per week for one year. Non-paid students have been involved through course related or independent study projects, with effort leveraged by graded academic credit. There are a number of opportunities at CASAE for those interested in applied research and/or program evaluation. CASAE projects and/or evaluations have paid, unpaid and internship staff positions available.
A number of students involved with CASAE have based major projects and/or theses on work they have done at the Center. At least eight graduate students have based their major thesis or project on a CASAE evaluation. The topics have ranged from cultural competency in program evaluation to democratic dialogue in participatory program evaluation to specific topics related to CASAE’s evaluation of juvenile justice programs and drug court as well as Healthy Start programs in the local area.
Students involved with CASAE have the following to say about their experiences:
“The opportunity to work at CASAE has allowed me to learn evaluation techniques and date gathering via secondary analysis - two very important methods for research. The experience has afforded me the edge needed to get a good research job here at Wayne State University, at the Center for Urban Studies, as part of an evaluation team studying the Early On early intervention program for special needs children (a collaborative effort with the Michigan Department of Education). I didn't realize how important the skills I gained at CASAE were until I applied for the current position, but it reflected in the knowledge I have gained and subsequently shared with my colleagues. CASAE is a good institution to work for and from which to gain applied experience for the future, whether it be in academia or in the private/public sector.”
-Farnad J. Darnell
Center for Urban Studies
Wayne State University
“In the last decade, the Sociology Department at Humboldt State University has actively taken an applied approach to Sociology in the hope to equip students with the skills and knowledge to make positive changes in our society. At the heart of this endeavor are several research centers that supply ample opportunity for applying Sociology, this includes the Center for Applied Social Analysis and Education (CASAE).
As a graduate student, and then later a Sociological Practitioner, I had the opportunity to learn and refine my skills in evaluation research at CASAE. Sociology's emphasis in analysis and research make it a perfect discipline for teaching evaluation research as just one of the many practices of Sociology. Evaluation continues to be greatly needed at both the State and Federal levels of government.
The experiences I have gained through course work at Humboldt State and
employment with CASAE have prepared me for a career in the public sector
and provided me with an academic background that was highly desirable
in obtaining a second graduate degree at the University of Southern California.
I am currently working at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG),
Criminal Justice Division as an Associate
Researcher.”
-Regina Misch
Students interested in pursuing an internship or volunteer position with CASAE are encouraged to stop by or contact the office. We’d be happy to help.
