Career Opportunities for Sociology Majors
The great thing about sociology degrees is that there are so many options available upon graduation. Sociology offers you a background in research design, data analysis, statistics, and sociological concepts. With this strong set of skills you can look for positions in research, policy analysis, program evaluation, and other social science-oriented jobs. Additionally, you’ll be well prepared to further your education in graduate school.
If you’re just starting a degree program in sociology, you may be unsure what you want to do with your degree, and that’s okay! Sociology degree programs cover a wide variety of topics, exposing you to different areas of the field. And hopefully you’ll have an opportunity to intern at an agency or organization to further develop your area of expertise.
Below you find a wealth of information about the different areas of work for sociology majors in addition to career stats and other projections from The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Areas of Work for Sociology Majors
There are many different jobs available for sociology majors within different areas of work. The following are some industries a sociology major could work in, as well as possible job positions:
Human Services:
- Counseling
- Case Management
- Advocacy
- Mental Health Services
- Programming
- Administration
Criminal Justice:
- Corrections
- Rehabilitation
- Law Enforcement
- Judiciary
Education:
- Teaching
- Research
Government:
- Social Statistics
- Demography
- Public Administration
- Policy Analysis
- Research
- Program Development
- Human Services
- City Planning
- Law Enforcement
Social Science Research:
- Research
- Data Analysis
- Demography
- Market Research
- Information Sourcing
Business:
- Human Resources
- Management
- Sales
- Marketing
- Public Relations
- Office Administration
Career Opportunities as a Sociologist
There are also job opportunities working as a sociologist, studying human society and social behavior, or studying various social, religious, political, and business organizations. Typically jobs as sociologists require a higher level of education. The following are the most lucrative industries for a sociologist as marked by The Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Scientific Research and Development Services
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
- Local Government (OES Designation)
- State Government (OES Designation)
A great way to learn about career opportunities is to speak to your professors or college advisor. They may know of vacancies or people to contact to learn more about internships, research opportunities, or other positions of interest.
Finding the right job opportunity takes time, and you may not find the perfect employment match right out of college. But with a little perseverance and hard work, you’ll land the job of your dreams. Sociology is a field with dynamic and rewarding opportunities. Whether you want to teach or work for a non-profit, this field offers exciting prospects. If you can land an internships, great. If you can work as a research assistant, don’t pass up the opportunity. You never know what might turn into a full-time job!
