Careers in Sociology

What Can You Do with a B.A. in Sociology?

(Some portions of this text were excerpted from the American Sociological Association website; www.asanet.org)

A recent study by the ASA of persons with the BA indicates that sociology majors are the most likely to be employed in government jobs, even more than political science majors.

Sociology majors are also among the most likely of the behavioral and social sciences to be employed in higher education.

B.A.s in sociology can apply the sociological perspective to a wide variety of jobs in business, health professions, criminal justice system, social services, and government.

A B.A. in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.

The undergraduate degree provides strong liberal arts preparation for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
Sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration--fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.

A bachelor's degree in sociology provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of career paths. Undergraduate training in sociology can open a variety of doors in business and human services. Sociology majors who enter the business world work in sales, marketing, customer relations, or human resources. Those who enter human services work with youths at risk, the elderly, or people experiencing problems related to poverty, homelessness, substance abuse, or the justice system.

When sociology graduates are asked to reflect on their education with the wisdom of hindsight, they say that they value most highly their undergraduate courses in social research methods, statistics, and computer skills. These courses help make B.A. undergraduates marketable, especially in today's highly technical and data-oriented work environment. In addition, sociology majors develop analytical skills and the ability to understand issues within a "macro" or social structural perspective. Learning the process of critical thinking and how to bring evidence to bear in support of an argument is extremely important in a fast-changing job market.

Consequently, as a sociology B.A., you have a competitive advantage in today's information society. The solid base you receive in understanding social change--as well as in research design, data analysis, statistics, theory, and sociological concepts--enables you to compete for support positions (such as program, administrative, or research assistant) in research, policy analysis, program evaluation, and countless other social science endeavors.

For those interested in pursuing a career in sociology either via teaching, research or some applied field it is important to understand that most people who call themselves “sociologists” or who have the word “sociologist” in their job title, have some graduate training. Our Department offers a PhD program in Medical Sociology. Its graduates have very successful careers in health-related research, teaching, administration, and business.