What can I do
with a major in…
Careers using Sociology
Career Development Center
September 2010
Sociology Majors Have Skills…
 Understand and apply theory and
social science research methods
 Analyze and interpret information
 Collect and organize data into logical
formats
 Written and oral communication
 Knowledge of computer software and
Internet research
 Instruction
Where Do Bachelor’s Prepared
Sociology Majors Work?
 Private for profit
 Government/Military
 Education
 Nonprofit
 Self-employed
37%
25%
18%
10%
10%
Occupational Categories
of Sociology Baccalaurates
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Social Services, Counselors Psychologists
Clerical/Administrative Support
Management-related
Teachers/Librarians
Services (including Criminal Justice)
Marketing, Sales
Social Science Researchers
Other Professionals (IT, PR)
Others

American Sociological Association, 2007
26.5%
15.8%
14.4%
8.1%
8.3%
10.1%
5.7%
6.8%
4.4%
Applied Sociology Settings
 Individuals working in applied settings are
research specialists focused on using
experimental design and practice skills to find
information to improve problems in
government, industry, and other practice
environments.
 Settings include:
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Higher education
Public agencies (federal, state, community)
Business/industry
Research institutes in non-profit/advocacy sector
(i.e., NORC)
Policy Making and Administration
 As research consumers, individuals can use their
sociological background to determine policy and make
informed policy decisions, manage private and
government programs, commission further research
to determine/support their objectives.
 Settings include:
 Housing
 Transportation
 Public Health
 Law Enforcement
 Education
 Community Relations
Consulting and Business
 Individuals with sociology training use demography
and forecasting for strategic planning, implement
organizational change through training techniques and
competitive analysis, generate/use market research to
understand customers’ psyche, increase productivity
and efficiency to contain/lower the cost of doing
business.
 Settings:
 Human Resources
 Consulting
 Sales
 Management
 Marketing
Other Jobs to Consider
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Archivist
Architect
Curator & other museum-related work
Federal Agent
Foreign Service Officer
Market Researcher
Public and international affairs
Urban or Regional Planner
Work in the travel & leisure industry
Sociology Majors
and Graduate Education
 More than one-third of sociology majors earn
graduate or professional degrees.
 At the doctoral level
 40% in sociology; 25% in education and psychology
 At the master’s level
7% continue in sociology
25% earn a master’s in education
Many earn a master’s in psychology or business
75% of those who earn professional degrees study
law
 1 in 6 of those in professional school earn a M.D.
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For more information…
 American Sociological Association
www.asa.org
 Also check out:
 libguides.luc.edu/career
 Wetfeet.com
Helpful Resources at
luc.edu/career/resources_reference.shtml
#periodicals
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Bureau of Labor Statistics
Dictionary of Occupational Titles
Occupational Outlook Handbook
O*Net
The Margaret Riley Guide
National Association of
Colleges and Employers
Bibliography
 Fogg & Harrington (2004). College majors handbook.
JIST Publishing
 Spalter-Roth & Van Vooren (January 2008). What are
they Doing with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology?
American Sociological Association – Department of
Research and Development
 U.S. Department of Labor (2004-2005). Occupational
Outlook Handbook
 http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/socio/about/career.
html#research