What Can I Do With My Sociology Major?

Sociology provides a launching pad for a variety of jobs for additional education.

The American Sociological Associatiopn in their brochure “Sociology, a 21st Century Major” lists the following areas sociology students might find careers and ways to strengthen their experience or gain additional skills:

  • Human Services (Counseling, Advocacy, Case Management, Mental Health Services, Programming, Administration)—Gain experience through volunteer positions; develop excellent communication skills; earn a Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling or other related fields; gain experience working with diverse populations.
  • Criminal Justice (Corrections, Law Enforcement, Rehabilitation, Judiciary)—Gain experience from part time jobs, internships or volunteer work; obtain a graduate or law degree; consider gaining experience in the military.
  • Education (Teaching, Research)—Obtain certification to teach in K-12 or multiple subjects; earn a graduate degree for college or university opportunities; assist a professor with research; volunteer as a tutor; develop excellent oral and written communication skills; take extra courses in research and statistics.
  • Government (Social Statistics, Demography, Public Administration, Policy Analysis, Research, Program Development, Human Services, City Planning, Law Enforcement)—Coursework in social research and statistics; gain work experience through government internships or part time work; learn the federal job application process; obtain a graduate degree; consider gaining experience in the military.
  • Social Science Research (Research, Data Analysis, Demography, Market Research, Information Sourcing)—Learn to use statistics software such as SPSS; work with a professor on a research project; obtain an advanced degree in Sociology for research administration positions; gain experience working on teams; network with professionals in your area of interest; develop excellent quantitative, statistical and writing skills.
  • Environment and Society –Take courses in Ecology, Environmental Science and Statistics; join environment related organizations; obtain a graduate degree; gain work experience from environmental clean-up projects.
  • Business (Human Resources, Management, Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, Office Administration)—Take courses in accounting; develop excellent computer skills; gain experience through internships and part time jobs; join related professional associations; seek leadership roles in student organizations; develop excellent written and oral communication skills.
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The American Sociological Association in their brochure “Sociology, a 21st Century Major” lists the following ways that Sociology will give you the tools to navigate the changing world:

  • Conduct research and analyze data.  In Sociology you use both qualitative and quantitative research methods.  Learn to recognize trends and patterns and produce social statistics such as those used in market research, opinion polling, program evaluation, sales and countless other applications.
  • Communicate skillfully.  Learn how to convey your ideas effectively in writing and in presentations.  Strong communication skills are essential for success in the 21st century.
  • Practice critical thinking.  Learn to look beyond the surface of issues to discover the “why.”  Build your analytical skills. Solve problems and identify opportunities.
  • Gain a global perspective.  Learn about different cultures and how to analyze the interaction of groups and societies through a global and historical perspective.
  • Prepare for graduate school.An undergraduate major in sociology provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in a wide range of fields including law, business, social work, medicine, public health, public administration and, of course, sociology.