Andy Holmes
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose to do an honours degree in Sociology and minor in Critical Studies in Sexuality at UBC because I had profound questions about social inequalities in our world I wanted answers to. Doing an honours degree allowed me to work with two professors (who are leaders in their field) to hone my own research and analytic skills to do original research that is now being published in a peer-reviewed journal. What I loved about studying Sociology and learning from Critical Studies in Sexuality was that everything that was taught was done through passion and a desire to understand how we can make our world a better place through rigorous research and theoretical analyses of emergent social issues.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
Some of my most meaningful experiences at UBC involved Imagine Day (I won’t ever forget that sense of inspiration when in Thunderbird Arena); understanding the importance of reconciliation for Indigenous peoples in what is now Canada; simply walking down the tree-lined beauty of Main Mall; and visiting the Rose Gardens and seeing the breath-taking views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean. There is something incredible about being able to learn in such a remarkable environment.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
My choice of minor and honours degree at UBC provided me with the opportunity to continue studying sociology at the University of Toronto. I have no doubt that my research training at UBC has helped prepare me for my future career journey through graduate school in hopes of one day entering the field of academia.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first job after graduating from UBC has been working for the University of Toronto as a teaching assistant in the department of Sociology. Prior to this job, I was a teaching assistant at UBC. Prior to working at the University of Toronto and UBC, I also worked at McDonalds for nearly three years, as well as eight months at H&M.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I remember being in my second year of university at UBC and I had just finished doing readings for my courses when I told my parents I wanted to become a professor. Having been the first person in my immediate family to have graduated from university only provides me further passion to continue my research ambitions to address social inequalities I care deeply about.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
Being a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto would not have been as easy had I not received extensive experience as a teaching and research assistant at UBC.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
The value of having an Arts degree has been the ability to not only ascertain the reliability or credibility of claims made by media outlets or other researchers, but also, to be able to produce research when needed. Furthermore, the analytic and communication skills through writing and public speaking about social issues are ones that I would not have learned had I not done an Arts degree.
Are there any other achievements or activities you would like to highlight?
While I was at UBC, I was the youngest person appointed to the City of Vancouver’s 2017-2018 LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee where I met monthly at Vancouver City Hall to provide policy advice. One of my proudest moments was having been part of the drafting of a city motion that was passed in 2018 to ban ‘conversion therapy’ on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity for minors and adults in Vancouver (which set a national precedent). I was able to connect my studies with very real tangible outcomes through policy advising for the City of Vancouver.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Do research about what you are passionate in, not what you imagine other people to want to see. This can be tough to balance sometimes, but believe me, nothing will get you closer to producing outstanding research than a topic that keeps you up at night because you simply are baffled by the implications of a lack of societal knowledge in a particular field.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Visit the office hours of your professors and teaching assistants more!
Andy Holmes
Why did you choose your program at UBC and what did you enjoy most about it?
I chose to do an honours degree in Sociology and minor in Critical Studies in Sexuality at UBC because I had profound questions about social inequalities in our world I wanted answers to. Doing an honours degree allowed me to work with two professors (who are leaders in their field) to hone my own research and analytic skills to do original research that is now being published in a peer-reviewed journal. What I loved about studying Sociology and learning from Critical Studies in Sexuality was that everything that was taught was done through passion and a desire to understand how we can make our world a better place through rigorous research and theoretical analyses of emergent social issues.
What were some of your most meaningful experiences at UBC?
Some of my most meaningful experiences at UBC involved Imagine Day (I won’t ever forget that sense of inspiration when in Thunderbird Arena); understanding the importance of reconciliation for Indigenous peoples in what is now Canada; simply walking down the tree-lined beauty of Main Mall; and visiting the Rose Gardens and seeing the breath-taking views of the mountains and Pacific Ocean. There is something incredible about being able to learn in such a remarkable environment.
What choices did you make at UBC that contributed to your career success / journey?
My choice of minor and honours degree at UBC provided me with the opportunity to continue studying sociology at the University of Toronto. I have no doubt that my research training at UBC has helped prepare me for my future career journey through graduate school in hopes of one day entering the field of academia.
What was your first job after graduation and what other jobs did you have before your current position?
My first job after graduating from UBC has been working for the University of Toronto as a teaching assistant in the department of Sociology. Prior to this job, I was a teaching assistant at UBC. Prior to working at the University of Toronto and UBC, I also worked at McDonalds for nearly three years, as well as eight months at H&M.
Is your current career path as you originally intended? What challenges did you face in launching your career?
I remember being in my second year of university at UBC and I had just finished doing readings for my courses when I told my parents I wanted to become a professor. Having been the first person in my immediate family to have graduated from university only provides me further passion to continue my research ambitions to address social inequalities I care deeply about.
What do you like about your current job and what do you find challenging? How does it relate to your degree?
Being a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto would not have been as easy had I not received extensive experience as a teaching and research assistant at UBC.
From your experience, what has been the value of having an Arts degree?
The value of having an Arts degree has been the ability to not only ascertain the reliability or credibility of claims made by media outlets or other researchers, but also, to be able to produce research when needed. Furthermore, the analytic and communication skills through writing and public speaking about social issues are ones that I would not have learned had I not done an Arts degree.
Are there any other achievements or activities you would like to highlight?
While I was at UBC, I was the youngest person appointed to the City of Vancouver’s 2017-2018 LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee where I met monthly at Vancouver City Hall to provide policy advice. One of my proudest moments was having been part of the drafting of a city motion that was passed in 2018 to ban ‘conversion therapy’ on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity for minors and adults in Vancouver (which set a national precedent). I was able to connect my studies with very real tangible outcomes through policy advising for the City of Vancouver.
What advice would you give to students and alumni interested in breaking into your industry?
Do research about what you are passionate in, not what you imagine other people to want to see. This can be tough to balance sometimes, but believe me, nothing will get you closer to producing outstanding research than a topic that keeps you up at night because you simply are baffled by the implications of a lack of societal knowledge in a particular field.
What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Visit the office hours of your professors and teaching assistants more!
