What Can I Do With a Major in Sociology?
Whether they will admit it or not, most sociology students are at least a little bit nervous about what their employment options will be after college. Sure, they love the subject that they’re studying, but will it help them get a job?
In many ways, yes! After all, the streets aren’t lined with unemployed sociology majors. And even though their studies don’t directly prepare them to work in a specific occupation, sociology majors normally have a very flexible skill set. Graduates from these programs go on to work in many diverse fields.
Very few students who major in sociology go on to work in an occupation that’s related to their major. In fact, sociology majors go on to work in many different industries and are able to do many different types of work.
Many graduates from sociology programs work as teachers. Others work as guidance counselors, editors, marketing directors, consultants, salesmen, social workers, and many other things.
The truth is, the success of anyone’s career is dependent on planning. You don’t have to decide what you want to do with the rest of your life while you’re in college, but you should come up with a plan for what you want to do now (or even two years from now).
Often times, getting an internship can be an incredibly beneficial way to figure out what you want to do with yourself after graduation (and it provides the work experience and networking connections you will need to find full time employment). To learn more about available internship opportunities, stop by your college’s career services center.
Career Options for Sociology Majors
Below are some of the most common career choices for people who earn an undergraduate degree in sociology. This is not a comprehensive list, but it should give you a good idea of the types of things you can do with a degree in sociology.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Median Hourly | Current jobs | Outlook | Required Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropologist | $54,230 | $26.07 | 5,790 | Good | Master’s degree |
| College Professor | $62,050 | $29.83 | 1,756,000 | Good | Graduate Degree |
| Editor | $51,470 | $24.75 | 129,600 | Normal | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Elementary School Teacher | $51,660 | $24.84 | 1,549,520 | Good | Bachelor’s Degree |
| High School Teacher | $53,230 | $25.59 | 1,109,500 | Good | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $48,800 | $23.46 | 179,520 | Normal | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Lawyer | $112,760 | $54.21 | 759,190 | Good | Law Degree |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,660 | $29.16 | 249,810 | Good | Bachelor’s degree |
| Middle School Teacher | $51,960 | $24.98 | 659,460 | Good | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Probation Officer | $47,200 | $22.69 | 93,200 | Normal | Bachelor’s degree |
| Public Relations Manager | $91,810 | $44.14 | 56,720 | Normal | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Public Relations Specialist | $52,090 | $25.04 | 258,100 | Good | Bachelor’s degree |
| Recreation Worker | $22,260 | $10.70 | 327,530 | Good | On the job training |
| School Counselor | $53,380 | $25.66 | 281,400 | Good | Master’s degree |
| School Psychologist | $66,810 | $32.12 | 152,000 | Normal | Graduate degree |
| Social Service Manager | $57,950 | $27.86 | 130,560 | Normal | Bachelor’s degree |
| Social Worker | $42,480 | $20.42 | 350,500 | Good | Bachelor’s degree |
| Sociologist | $72,360 | $34.79 | 4,920 | Good | Master’s Degree |
| Statistician | $73,720 | $35.44 | 22,560 | Normal | Master’s Degree |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | $38,120 | $18.33 | 85,500 | Good | Master’s degree |
| Urban Planner | $67,090 | $32.25 | 38,400 | Normal | Master’s Degree |
| Writer / Author | $55,420 | $26.64 | 145,900 | Normal | Bachelor’s Degree |
