Introduction
A common question among students in sociology is, “what jobs can you get with a sociology degree?” While sociology isn’t a direct vocational degree, it does offer valuable skills and knowledge that may transfer to various job positions. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 careers and in-demand skills for sociology graduates, highlight some surprising jobs that may leverage a sociology background, and provide insightful interviews with sociology alumni on how they leveraged the degree in their career paths.
Listicle: Top 10 Jobs You Can Get with a Sociology Degree
1. Policy analyst – sociology graduates may bring analytical and research skills to policy analysis positions, evaluating the effectiveness of policies and developing and recommending changes to further the goals of organizations.
2. Criminal justice – sociology majors may leverage their understanding of social norms, social inequalities, and deviant behaviors to work in criminal justice positions as probation officers, social workers, or victim advocates.
3. Social services – sociology graduates may work in social services positions like counselors, community service representatives, or program coordinators to develop, implement, and evaluate programs to meet social needs.
4. Research analyst – graduates may apply their quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills to research analyst positions, such as market research, survey research, or academic research.
5. Human resources – sociology graduates may work in recruitment, training, or organizational development positions in human resources to try to recruit talent with diverse backgrounds, with knowledge of social issues.
6. Education – graduates may work in education as teachers or administrators.
Students’ understanding of diverse cultures, education, and social problems may lend itself to educational planning and development.
7. Public relations – sociology graduates may find public relations positions for various organizations, applying their understanding of social norms, social inequalities, and deviant behaviors to analyze and influence social trends, public opinion, and ethical practices.
8. Healthcare services – graduates of sociology can work in the Healthcare industry as health educators, in hospitals, community health agencies, or health insurance providers based on their knowledge of social norms, social inequalities, and deviant behaviors.
9. NGO’s and non-profits – sociology graduates may work in government agencies or non-profit organizations as grant writers, program developers, or administrators.
10. Marketing – sociology graduates may apply their understanding of social trends, cultural values, and lifestyle choices to marketing positions, creating campaigns to appeal to diverse demographic groups.
A Day in the Life of a Sociologist
Sociology majors may take many different career paths, leading to a range of positions in government agencies, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and for-profit businesses. Here are a few individuals who discuss their experiences:
– Criminal Justice: Sherry Arthur works as a Probation Officer and states: “I acquired unique skills in my sociology degree by understanding human behavior, diversities, culture, and class differences, which has helped me in my work.”
– Social Services: Maria Martinez works as a Social Worker, and she says: “I work with different vulnerable populations, and the sociology degree has helped me interact and communicate with clients and their families pro
– Policy Analyst: Jerry Lee, a policy analyst at a public policy think tank, states “A sociology degree helped me with constructing logical arguments and presenting complex ideas for lay audiences.”
– Research Analyst: Sanjana Shah, an analyst for a market research firm, says, “My sociology training gave me a unique outlook on how to approach questions and problems, which helps me develop innovative research methodologies
Surprising Jobs You Can Get with a Sociology Degree
Sociology majors can bring a variety of skills and knowledge to many industries and positions, some of which may not immediately come to mind when considering the job potential of a sociology degree.
For example, graduates may work as Consumer Behavior Researchers for large multi-nationals to make sense of changing demographics and social trends. Additionally, Sociologists can work as User Experience Researchers for tech companies, working to understand how consumers interact with technology and other services.
Statistical Evidence for the Demand for Sociology Majors
According to the National Survey of College Graduates, Sociology majors have one of the lowest unemployment rates (4.9%) among humanities and social science disciplines, indicating high employer demand. Moreover, graduates have a starting median salary of at least $33,700 and a median annual salary of $65,000 after ten years.
The demand for sociology majors is projected to grow by 10%, which is faster than the average for all occupations due to essential policy work, research and consulting, social services, and more.
Storytelling Approach: Interviews with Sociology Alumni
Here are some alumni of Sociology providing useful advice on leveraging their degrees:
1. Roxy Stewart
Roxy is the Chief Diversity Officer at a non-profit helping to develop and execute new diversity initiatives that help employees excel while also satisfying customer needs. According to Roxy, “The sociology degree prepared me well for my role by providing an excellent foundation for exploring social diversity, stratification, and inequality.”
2. Vasily Petrov
Vasily holds a position as a researcher in applied sociology focusing on research methodology and evaluation. Petrov notes, “A sociology degree equipped me with useful skills, including research design methodology, data management, and statistics.”
3. Max Gonzalez
Max holds a Public Policy Analyst position.
“Being a sociology major allowed me to refine my skills in analysis and report writing, both of which are needed in my work,” says Max.
Conclusion
Sociology is an increasingly in-demand field that may lead to various job opportunities in diverse industries. Graduates of sociology programs can bring diverse perspectives, analytical skills, and research techniques to the positions they hold. Consider a sociology degree for a career path if you value understanding social problems, societal norms, and the interactions between individuals and society.
