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What can I do with a degree in sociology?

Examples of Jobs taken by graduates from:
Univ. of CO at Denver
Univ. TX at Arlington
Univ.of PA
Career Fields



Employment and Career Opportunities from the University of Colorado at Denver

Sociologists embark upon literally hundreds of career paths. Although teaching and conducting research remains the dominant activity among the thousands of professional sociologists today, other forms of employment are growing both in number and significance. In some sectors, sociologists work closely with economists, political scientists, anthropologists, psychologists, social workers, and others, reflecting a growing appreciation of sociologyâs contributions to interdisciplinary analysis and action. Sociologists enter the corporate, non-profit, and government worlds as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource managers, and program managers. Practicing sociologists may be called research analysts, survey researchers, statisticians, urban planners, community developers, criminologists, or demographers.  Many sociologists become professors, teaching in colleges and universities, advising students, conducting research, and publishing their work.

What can I do a with Masters in Sociology?, from the University of Texas - Arlington

Increasingly, organizations need information about people and their social behavior. The MA in Sociology can lead to a variety of applied research positions, such as public opinion, market and/or evaluation research specialist. Recent job placements include research analyst at Harris Methodist Hospital, Head of Student Affairs at North Lake College, Senior Research analyst for J.C. Penny, and Grant Officer in the Office of the Governor. The MA degree also can be used to prepare you to enter a Ph.D. program in Sociology.

JOBS TAKEN BY SOCIOLOGY MAJORS University of Pennsylvania

Research Associate; Staff Consultant; Marketing Research Assistant; Research Asst. /Immunization Asst.; Management Associate; Teacher/Coach; Paralegal; Executive Assistant; Canvass Trainer; Special Events Coordinator; Financial Analyst; Registered Representative/Stockbroker; Secretary/Customer Service; Caseworker; Executive Marketing Associate; Secretary/Marketing Assistant; Legal Assistant; Executive Trainee; Research Assistant; Corporate Legal Assistant
 

Career Fields

EDUCATION~HUMAN SERVICES~CRIMINAL JUSTICE~COMMUNITY RELATIONS

BUSINESS~ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY~DEMOGRAPHY~GOVERNMENT

SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Preparing for your career.
In many fields a graduate degree is necessary for advancement.
Acquiring experience in your chosen career field during your college years can also benefit you.  Experience can be acquired through part-time or summer employment, volunteer work, and/or internship or practicum assignments.
What did you learn?
Examples of competencies you should have acquired while earning your degree in sociology include effective skills in conceptualization of human and organizational problems, communication skills, program design and evaluation, planning, data management, analysis and presentation, and the application of theory to organizational and research problems.
 

HUMAN SERVICES

Including jobs in: Counseling, Advocacy, Mental Health Services, Social Services
EMPLOYERS 
  • Advocacy groups
  • Federal, state and local government
  • United Way agencies/local branches of national non-profit organizations
  • Religiously-affiliated service organizations
  • Adoption and child care agencies
  • Public and private nursing homes
  • Hospitals 
 PREPARATION
  • Concentrate course work in areas of interest
  • Pursue excellent academic record
  • Emphasize research methods courses, statistics courses, computer skills, and courses in inequality and family.
  • For counseling and case worker positions take counseling courses and obtain experience. (May need master's degree in social work or counseling for counseling positions)
  • Consider business minor or double major for positions in administration, and master's in health care administration for advancement

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Corrections, Rehabilitation, Law Enforcement, Judiciary
EMPLOYERS 
  • Correction institutions
  • Court systems
  • Federal, state and local government, especially law enforcement agencies 
 STRATEGIES 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

EMPLOYERS 
  • Federal, state and local government
  • National headquarters and local branches of non-profit organizations
  • Private social service organizations
  • Religiously-affiliated service organizations
  • Child care agencies 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Learn federal, state and local government job application process
  • Obtain experience in counseling, advocacy or administration
  • Acquire knowledge of community problems and government resources
  • Gain volunteer experience
  • Take courses in public speaking, social change, development sociology, organizations, inequality, and social psychology

BUSINESS

Including jobs in: Demography/Planning, Human Resources, Management, Sales, Advertising, Marketing, Consumer Research, Insurance, Real Estate, Personnel/Training, Administration
EMPLOYERS 
  • Research departments/firms
  • Personnel/industrial relations departments
  • Marketing/management firms
  • Organizational planning departments/firms
  • International businesses
  • Manufacturing firms
  • Advertising firms
  • Consumer research/public relations firms
  • Insurance/real estate companies
  • Publishing firms
  • Consulting firms 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Focus on an occupational area: personnel, industrial relations, management, marketing, or public relations
  • Take courses in labor relations, industrial psychology, personnel management, public speaking, writing, inequality, social change, organizations, social psychology and/or business
  • Stress work experience, social skills, public speaking, writing skills, statistics and research training when interviewing 

ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

EMPLOYERS 
  • Waste management firms
  • Health agencies
  • Local planning agencies
  • Environmental advocacy groups
  • National advocacy groups
  • Environmental periodicals
  • Federal government
  • Regional, state, and local agencies
  • Consulting firms 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Take courses in general and urban ecology, statistics, development sociology, demography, organizations, social change, environmental sociology and public speaking
  • Learn skills in analytical writing

DEMOGRAPHY

EMPLOYERS 
  • Companies and organizations doing demographic forecasting and population studies
  • Companies compiling market research data
  • Consulting firms
  • Business and industry
  • International, federal and state agencies
  • Government and regional planning departments
  • Colleges and universities
  • Foundations
  • Advertising and marketing firms
  • Private research firms 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Take courses in social research methods, statistics, computer applications, demography, calculus and foreign language
  • Develop good communication skills
  • Gain experience in companies with statistical research departments

 

GOVERNMENT

Including jobs in: Social Science Analysis, Social Statistics, Demography, Administration, Management, Program Development, Policy Analysis, Personnel, Research, Investigation
EMPLOYERS 
  • Public assistance agencies
  • Federal, state, local and county government 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Learn federal, state and local government job application process
  • Obtain experience in research and evaluation
  • Acquire skills in survey and evaluation research, and specialties in such fields as health, aging, criminal justice, demography, organizations, social change, and family

SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Including jobs in: Evaluation Research
EMPLOYERS 
  • Federal government
  • National headquarters of non-profit organizations
  • Firms conducting social, market, or statistical research
  • Public relations firms
  • Professional periodicals
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Social service agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Business and industry
  • Labor unions
  • Professional sociologists
  • Universities
  • Religious organizations
  • Public opinion research polling companies 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Learn federal government job application process
  • Develop strong quantitative, statistical, writing, information gathering, and assimilating skills
  • Take courses in research methods, demography, and statistics

EDUCATION

Including jobs in: Teaching, Administration, Alumni Relations, Placement Offices, Research
EMPLOYERS 
  • Public and private schools
  • Colleges and universities 
 STRATEGIES 
  • Obtain certification/licensing to teach grades K-12
  • Volunteer as a tutor
  • Obtain Ph.D. to teach and for advanced research positions in colleges and universities
  • Secure strong personal recommendations