Jeylan Erman

What are you doing now?

I am in the final year of my PhD in Sociology and Demography at the University of Pennsylvania and finishing my dissertation on migration and family change in Europe.

How did you get to where you are today?

I developed an interest in research while working on independent research projects in college. Afterwards, I took on a few research assistantship roles which helped further my interest. When I began learning about the field of demography, I decided to go back to school.

How did our Master's Programme in Demography help you realize your professional goals?

The program helped me build a stronger research and technical background. Taking courses was certainly one way I built skills but it was really the opportunity to carry out research collaborations (with Professors Juho Härkönen and Marie Evertsson) that taught me the most. You learn best by doing and that was certainly the case for me. In general, the SUDA community is super welcoming, friendly and helpful, which all propelled me. 

How did you like living and working in Stockholm?

I really loved living in Stockholm. It's a beautiful city where one can have a really high quality of life. Also, the traditions are great -- I miss fikas and chokladbollar!

How come you chose SUDA and Stockholm University for your master studies?

I knew I wanted to try a master’s program before going forward with a PhD and that I wanted to do so in Europe (where I was living at the time). Besides having a very reputable program, SUDA had (and still has) a strong focus on family demography, my area of interest. Studying in the beautiful city of Stockholm was a definite plus.