What Jobs Can Sociology Get You? Sociologists are trained to think in ways that help them predict how individuals and groups will behave. As opposed to more technical fields like engineering, sociology seeks to understand the reasons behind human behavior. Sociologists try to figure out how people make decisions because many of those decisions can be explained by understanding society as a whole.
Sociology is a great choice for anyone who wants to work in the social sciences, or for those who are interested in pursuing a career in the medical field.
Sociology majors can find jobs in a variety of fields, including:
- Social services
- Governmental agencies (including police departments)
- Non-profit organizations (such as homeless shelters)
- Higher education (as professors or researchers)
- Businesses (marketing firms, consulting firms)
What jobs can sociology get you
Introduction
The sociology field of study is infinitely more vast and varied than one might imagine: While sociology majors can go on to law school or medical school like any other major, the experiential education and research opportunities available to them are far more interdisciplinary. As a result, sociology has emerged as an excellent degree for students who want to choose from a wide range of career options. Since these fields are so different, we’ve broken them down into four main categories based on their specialization:
Jobs for students situating themselves for law school.
Law school is the best place to learn how the justice system works, how our legal profession operates, and how to advocate for a cause. As such, it’s one of the most popular career paths for sociology students.
If you’re interested in pursuing law school after your bachelor’s degree, consider taking classes that teach about jurisprudence and research methods (for example: “Law & Society,” “Principles of Sociology,” or even “Introduction to Social Research”). These classes will help you become more familiar with legal terminology while also preparing you to conduct original research on your own. You should also take advantage of networking opportunities within sociology departments when they arise—these can lead directly into post-graduation internships that could help get your foot in the door at firms like Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP or Latham & Watkins LLP (PDF).
Jobs that focus on sociological research.
Research jobs are available in universities and private companies, as well as the public sector (government), nonprofit sector, and private sector.
In academia, sociologists study social structures and their influence on individuals’ lives. In addition to conducting original research on topics such as prejudice or domestic violence, they often teach at universities and colleges. Academics can also work for think tanks or policy organizations that promote changes in public policy based on sociological research.
Those who want to work outside of academia can find employment in fields like social services, where they might conduct research into human behavior and apply it toward helping clients address their problems more effectively; marketing firms interested in targeting specific groups; consulting firms that advise businesses on how best to market themselves; or polling companies looking for survey data on issues ranging from political preferences to health care needs of families with young children
Jobs that focus on community advocacy and interaction.
If you’re interested in working with communities and helping those who are marginalized, sociology can be a useful degree. Sociology graduates may choose to work for non-profit organizations or the government, as well as private companies that focus on advocacy and community interaction. Some jobs include:
- Social worker
- Human rights lawyer
- Peacekeeper
- Environmental researcher
Jobs that focus on sociological practice and social work.
Jobs that focus on sociological practice and social work. Sociology graduates can find jobs in a wide range of areas, including:
- Community outreach. Sociology graduates may find themselves working with a non-profit or government organization that helps people in the local community. The job might involve working with the community to identify problems and work towards solutions, such as improving access to health care or creating better systems for providing mental health support.
There’s a spot for every type of sociology student in the job market.
As a sociology student, your options are limitless. You can work in government, business or the non-profit sector; you can have a role that requires you to be on the front lines of addressing complex social issues or one that requires more desk work; and you can work anywhere from urban areas to rural ones. The point is that there’s a spot for every type of sociology student in the job market.
Conclusion
Sociology can be an extremely extensible and applicable undergraduate major, with jobs covering a wide range of interests and backgrounds. Don’t focus on the number of jobs available for graduates; focus instead on how your own interests align with the possibilities of what you can do.
