Read “Personal Experiences and Public Issues””by C.W.Mills in Readings in Sociology ( pg.13) .  I do understand that this is a difficult reading for some students. We will discuss it in class in detail. It is a very important work and the essence of the discipline. This essay will help you start thinking like a sociologist for rather than emphasizing the individual, the focus is on society (social forces).  I will give you an example of how a sociologist thinks: In the mid 1990s I had a good friend who wanted to get a job in the travel industry. She took courses at a technical school  so she could acquire the skills needed for jobs in that field.  She got her certificate and tried to  find a job.  She had no luck.  She kept blaming herself stating that she did not have the proper experience to  find a job.  By stating this, she was looking at psychological (individual) explanations for her failure to find work.  The reality was  that American Airlines’ employees were  threatening to strike.  Whenever there is rumor of a strike in the industry, a hiring freeze goes into effect.  No one was hiring in any of the  travel related jobs at the time my friend was looking for a job. The threat of a strike impacted my friend’s ability to find work.  This was something beyond her control as an individual.  Once the freeze was lifted, she had several job offers.   Another example to consider: Why are there so many women in nursing?  Everyone may  have  a personal reason but a sociologist would look at it in broader terms. Women are socialized to be nurturing and caring.  This may be ONE reason.