The sociology major provides a solid foundation in understanding society and systems and helps students to develop a diverse skill set that can be applied to various careers and industries. Here are a few examples of the types of careers that studying sociology can potentially prepare graduates for.

Careers in Business

  • Marketing and Advertising
    • Types of jobs: Market research analyst, Advertising sales representatives, survey researcher
  • Economy, Work and Management Studies
    • Types of jobs: Business consultant, Industrial sociologist

Careers in Criminal Justice

  • Types of organizations:
    • Federal Agencies
      • Drug Enforcement Agency
      • Border Patrol
      • National Security Agency
      • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
      • Central Intelligence Agency
      • Federal Bureau of Investigation
      • Customs & Immigration
      • Department of Agriculture
      • U.S. Postal Service
    • Local and State Agencies
      • Parole Departments
      • Prosecutors’ offices
      • Probation Departments
      • Criminal Courts
      • Juvenile Justice Courts and Agencies
      • Correctional facilities
    • Business and Social Organizations
      • Insurance companies
      • Law firms
      • Colleges and universities

Careers in Service in the Non-profit Sector

  • Philanthropy, Non-profit Organizations and Community Service
    • Types of organizations:  Public Health Organizations,  Charitable Organizations, Community Health Organizations, Community Education, Religious Organizations, Local governments, Social Policy organizations
  • Urban Studies
    • Types of jobs:  Real estate developers, architectural firms, Community organizations, Local & state governments, Consulting firms
  • Social Work
    • Types of jobs:  Advocacy for victims of crimes and/or domestic or family violence; disability services, family services
    • Types of organizations: Half-way houses, rape crisis centers, suicide prevention centers, family courts, probation departments, state youth and family services
  • Community and Individual Health
    • Types of Jobs:  Health Coverage Advocates, Crisis intervention, Drug Abuse and Prevention

Careers in Law, Social Policy and Politics

  • Law and/or Legal Careers
    • Types of jobs:  Lawyers, Legal investigators, Legal assistants
  • Politics & Social Policy & Advocacy
    • Types of jobs:  Politician, Policy analyst, social science research associate, Pollster, social science analyst, demographer
    • Types of organizations:
      • Pollsters, civil rights and community organizations:
      • Religious organizations:
      • Professional organizations:

Sociology as Preparation for Post-graduate Studies

The Sociology curriculum provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in a wide range of areas. It provides knowledge and skills needed for professional degrees, such as business administration, criminal justice, education, health administration, human resource management, law, marketing, social policy, social work and counseling, sociology, and urban studies and planning.