Sociology Department Seeking Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Communications and Outreach Coordinator

Sociology Department, U Mass Lowell

The Sociology Department is looking for someone to serve as communications and outreach coordinator to continue the fantastic work begun by Jacqueline DiPersio last year. The job is working in the Department offices in Dugan 205 for 7-10 hours a week during the academic year. The primary responsibilities:

1)     Department outreach and publicity

a.      Establish connections with faculty to keep up a steady flow of communication about Department events and other story ideas

b.     Establish relationships with College Communications Director and Web Office to support ongoing work

c.      Maintain Department Facebook page

                                                    i.     Develop story ideas for FB page, conduct interviews, and write stories to post on FB page

                                                  ii.     Maintain activity of FB page by posting stories or relevant links daily or almost daily

                                                iii.     Do outreach to increase Likes/Engagement on FB page

d.     Maintain and further develop Department web page

                                                    i.     Get trained in Website development program

                                                  ii.     Make changes as needed

                                                iii.     Explore adding additional multimedia components

e.      Work with College Communications and Department Chair to develop new print materials for Department outreach

f.      Support the development of networks and community among current students through the creation of a Sociology Club or other mechanisms

2)     Alumni outreach

a.      Support Department efforts to create network of alums through Facebook, events, and other mechanisms

b.     Maintain alum database

c.      Maintain and update list of alums willing to be contacted about careers

We are looking for someone who is a self-starter, a good writer, detail-oriented, and social media savvy. The person also must have excellent in-person communication skills and be able to build relationships with critical people on campus as well as reach out to alums and others to gather information for stories. Creativity is a must, and an understanding and love of our Department is a positive!

If you are interested please contact Department Chair Mignon Duffy at mignon_duffy@uml.edu.

Congratulations to our very own Jacqueline DiPersio!

I recently started a new job as an Outreach and Communications Director for State Representative Linda Campbell of Methuen. My main duties are handling constituent issues within the district, representing my boss at various meetings pertaining to legislature in the State House, attending district events and meetings, and maintaining her social media presence. I also conduct research on legislation and advise the representative on policy creation and policy decisions. By far, the best part of my job is helping out constituents. Before taking this job, I never realized that people call their local representatives with serious issue and that we, the representative and her staff, can play a major role to help. My first case, I was able to help a women increase her food stamp benefits after they were cut significantly.  She was very low on funds and could hardly afford to eat everyday. After many phone calls and emails , we were able to provide proper documentation and reinstate her benefits. There are no words to describe the feeling of being able to help someone out in this way. I was able to make a huge impact in one person's life. Although I just started, I am grateful and excited for this opportunity to help people.

I have found that the world view I developed through studying sociology has helped me excel in this job so far. The perspective I bring to the table is a good balance with the strong political perspectives of my co-workers. The deep compassion and empathy sociologists develop towards others has also proven to be beneficial for this line of work. One thing sociology has taught me is that policy is important in shaping peoples lives.   I am humbled that I can help contribute to the political process to actually help people.