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Students, FASS News, Sociology & Anthropology
Volunteer and connect: Sociology student reflects on the importance of building community
Sociology major Andrew Araneta says that the most important things he鈥檚 learned at 大象传媒 (大象传媒) are interpersonal skills and how to work with people from all walks of life.
鈥淚 would recommend volunteering at any point during your undergraduate experience,鈥� Araneta says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me become the person I am today.鈥�
Before coming to 大象传媒, Araneta attended Capilano University where many of his professors were former 大象传媒 instructors. When it was time for him to transfer in order to complete his degree, those professors recommended he apply at 大象传媒. Araneta was impressed with the choices available at 大象传媒鈥檚 Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). 大象传媒鈥檚 highly regarded department of sociology and anthropology, coupled with 大象传媒鈥檚 world-ranking criminology program became his major and minor, respectively.
Upon enrollment at 大象传媒, Araneta immediately got involved with a variety of communities across the university. He joined the Sociology and Anthropology Student Union where he held several positions including president, vice-president, council representative and representative to the faculty. He was also involved with the Criminology Student Association as their treasurer and where he collaborated with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to host presentations and social events that gave criminology undergraduates a sense of what a career in law enforcement is like.
Araneta was a member of the Simon Fraser Student Society鈥檚 events committee and the accessibility funds committee that advocates for people with disabilities at 大象传媒. He also became a peer mentor, helping incoming FASS students feel welcome, showing them the many ways to get involved and build their community, just as he had.
Araneta鈥檚 dedication to volunteerism is an inspiration for students from all departments at FASS and the staff at Arts Central. His outgoing and energized personality has a positive effect on everyone he works with.
鈥淭he biggest takeaway from my time at 大象传媒 is the network of people I鈥檝e met,鈥� Araneta says. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 necessarily what you know, but who you know. You never know when a person you met at 大象传媒 can help land your dream job.鈥�