Crit_Sociology

Hi, I think I am posting this question/concern in the right place? Also, I preemptively apologize for this long post ... here we go My background: graduated 5 years ago from undergrad and am 100% on going back to graduate school in the next year. I was not the best student in undergrad until I found sociology (which I minored in) my 3rd year. Cumulative GPA is 2.88 but counting only anthropology and sociology classes (5 classes total) it is more like 3.5. Why I want to attend grad school: Ideally I would like to teach sociology in some capacity at a community college. If that doesn’t work out I think that developing my skills in quantitative methodology would be useful in research for a non-profit, labor union, or government department. Having said that, I am much more interested in qualitative but don’t see how that is necessarily helpful in a career outside of academia. Current interests: Social justice and social stratification including race, class, and gender are main topics in my thinking but not necessarily the specific areas that I want to study. I do know that I have deep interest in Marxism and critical theory which I think will guide my thinking in many ways. Having said that – I am not really well versed in either topic. In addition to that I am interested in automation, radical politics, commodity chain valuation, labor politics, “work”, social movements, and the non-profit industrial complex. Current dilemma: Feeling a but lost in the entire process of finding the “right” graduate program as well as feeling like I am a bit behind in my academic “credibility”. It seems like everyone is very specialized in their areas and I am struggling to find a focus. I did recently get into Northeastern University Graduation program for sociology – but that was my undergrad and it feels like that played a major role in their decision to accept me. Questions: Does anyone have suggestions as to how to narrow their interests? How do you go about finding the program that is right for you when your interests are so broad? Will my undergraduate GPA make it more difficult for me to get into a reputable program? Basically I’m looking for any advice from someone who has been in my position. I know this is all rather vague – but any advice / support will be helpful. Thanks!