What Can I Do With A Major In Sociology?
A field that is broad enough to encompass all various interests in fields as diverse as criminology, poverty, aging, urban development, media, medicine, science, race and gender, you may find that the sociology major is right for you. Sociology not only provides individuals with training in contemporary human inquiry, but also allows them to develop the critical thinking, analytical, writing, research and fieldwork skills essential for professional success. Students are well-prepared for graduate school, the human services field, development work, and social and academic research and civic leadership.
Possible Career Options
(Some may require further education/specialization)Anthropologist
Caseworker
Clinical Social Worker
Community Relations Director
Community Resource Coordinator
Community Service Agency Worker
Corrections Officer
Counselor:
Abortion & Alternatives
Adoption
Battered Spouse
Children’s Services
Chronic Disease Services
Employee Assistance
Pregnancy
Rape/Crisis Intervention
Rehabilitation
School
Senior Citizen/Elderly
Services Worker
Substance Abuse
Crime Victim Criminologist
Customer Service Representative
Elder Care/Recreation Worker
Gerontologist
Human Resources Administrator
Infant Mental Health Specialist
Labor Relations Specialist
Market Research Analyst
Men’s Services Worker
Minority and Race Relations Specialist
Missionary
Peace Corps/VISTA Worker
Penologist
Political Systems Researcher
Population Studies Researcher
Probation/Parole Officer
Psychotherapist
Public Health Statistician
Seminary Director
Social Services Agency Director
Social Worker
Urban/Regional Planner
Vocational Services Worker
Women’s Service Worker
Youth Services Worker
Types of Employers
Private & Non-Profit Organizations
Adoption and Child Care Agencies
Advertising Agencies
Banks
Correctional Institutions
Education Institutions
Financial Service Companies
Hospitals
Labor Unions
Management Consulting Firms
Market Research Firms
Mental Health Institutions
Newspapers/ Magazines
Personnel Agencies
Publishing Companies
Radio and TV Stations
Real Estate Agencies
Religious Organizations
Resort Hotels
Retail Stores
Social Service Agencies
Substance Abuse Clinics
Government Agencies
Civil Rights Commission
Consumer Affairs Office
County Probation Department
Division of Youth and Family Services
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Communications Commission
Foreign Service
Health and Human Services
Labor Department
National Science Foundation
Peace Corps/VISTA
Veterans Administration
Transferrable Skills
General Skills
Possesses proficiency in interpersonal communication and networking
Conducts and explains sociological research clearly
Establishes and maintains rapport
Knows community resources
Maintains composure in stressful situations
Displays sensitivity to and understanding of human development and behavior
Understand socio-cultural forces impacting human behavior
Possesses awareness of the processes involved in dynamic person-environment interactions
Research Skills
Operates and uses information derived from computers
Evaluates, integrates and applies knowledge
Observes and analyzes introspectively
Develops strong quantitative and statistical skills
Problem Solving Skills
Evaluates problems and makes appropriate decisions
Analyzes concepts, definitions, arguments and complex problems
Organizes ideas, deals with questions of value, and extracts information
Distinguishes fine differences between views and discovers common ground
Generates ideas and formulates solutions
Communication Skills
Interprets and clearly explains psychological research and tests of all types
Presents ideas through well-constructed, systematic arguments
Listens and responds to others objectively
Expresses a distinctive view and explains difficult material
Eliminates ambiguities and vagueness in communication
Establishes and maintains rapport through interpersonal communication skills
Articulates problem solving and goal oriented results
Experiential Education
Answering a crisis hotline and providing support to callers
Serving on mission trips to foreign countries
Organizing, planning and implementing activities for senior citizens
Working as a supervisor at a juvenile detention center
Leading units of campers at a summer camp
Serving as an advocate for rape victims
Professional Associations
American Sociological Association,
asanet.org
International Sociological Association,
isa-sociology.org
Rural Sociological Society,
ruralsociology.org
Social Science Research Council,
ssrc.org
Society for the Study of Social Problems,
sssp1.org
Enhancing Your Employability
Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills
Participate in internships and field experience placements
Add a minor or double major
Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks
Plan on a graduate degree for advancement
Take part in mock interview opportunities