Career Potential

Most people who think of themselves as "sociologists" or have the word "sociologist" in their job title have graduate training - but BAs in sociology apply the sociological perspective to a wide variety of jobs in sectors such as business, the health professions, the criminal justice system, social services, and government.

What can I do with a BA in Sociology? As a strong liberal arts major, sociology provides several answers to this important question:

• Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration - fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
• Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling.  Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge that directly pertains to each of these fields.
• The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds.  Employers look for people with the skills that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
• A BA in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.

What can I do with an MA or PhD in Sociology? With advanced degrees, the more likely it is that a job will have the title sociologist, but many opportunities exist.  Many jobs outside of academia do not necessarily carry the specific title of sociologist:

• Sociologists become high school teachers or faculty in colleges and universities, advising students, conducting research, and publishing their work.  Over 3000 colleges offer sociology courses.
• Sociologists enter the corporate, non-profit, and government worlds as directors of research, policy analysts, consultants, human resource managers, and program managers.
• Practicing sociologists with advanced degrees may be called research analysts, survey researchers, gerontologists, statisticians, urban planners, community developers, criminologists, or demographers.
• Some MA and PhD sociologists obtain specialized training to become counselors, therapists, or program directors in social service agencies.

Today, sociologists embark upon literally hundreds of career paths.  Although teaching and conducting research remain the dominant activity among the thousands of professional sociologists today, other forms of employment are growing both in number and significance.  In some sectors, sociologists work closely with economists, political scientists, anthropologists, psychologists, social workers, and others, reflecting a growing appreciation of sociology's contributions to interdisciplinary analysis and action.

For more information, the American Sociological Association provides extensive information on Careers in Sociology, including advice on how to prepare for graduate school.