Chris Jones
Chris Jones is quite content with the life of a sociology graduate student.
"It may sound boring, but sitting in my office reading through articles on a great topic has been one of my most rewarding experiences."
Jones was initially drawn to sociology because it offered a blend of the liberal arts with a highly valuable skill set that can be aptly applied in the community. Taking his studies to the graduate level, Jones has enjoyed the freedom to explore human behavior and society problems from multiple perspectives as well as opportunities to practically employ his education.
He's currently researching the effects of resource dependence on community development in the Yukon. Jones explains how rural communities throughout the territory tend to build their economies around natural resource industries, a strategy which has led to prosperity, but only for a fixed length of time.
"When markets shift or resource stocks diminish, communities are faced with underdevelopment," he explains. Therefore, a failure to develop in other ways can severely harm communities when the market for their chief exports turns sour. However, some researchers have recently claimed that several regions have adopted a more well-rounded phase of development, which lessens their economic dependence on natural resources. Jones is inquiring whether or not this is true of a community in the Yukon and adds that this project has offered him a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a project with real-world implications.
While undertaking his research, Jones has enjoyed employment both as a research assistant and graduate assistant. Through these well-paid positions, he's had a variety of experiences from running tutorials to tackling a project on Arctic sustainability, which will require him to travel to Iqualuit later this summer.
Though considering PhD studies following graduation, Jones is also tempted to jump into the workforce and find employment with a non-profit organization. He adds that he might not necessarily have to travel far to find a job: "Thunder Bay is a great city to live in if you're an aspiring sociologist. The region has a number of social issues, so there is definitely a need for good researchers. Plus, it's a great place to live in if you enjoy the outdoors - plenty of hunting and fishing!"