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Job Prospects for Sociology Graduates: Essential Skills and Career Paths

Discover job-related skills acquired by sociology graduates and how to apply them in government jobs, nonprofit organizations, and other sectors. Learn about career planning tips, including writing application letters and resumes for competitive advantage.

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Job Prospects for Sociology Graduates: Essential Skills and Career Paths

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  1. ( Findings from Three Waves of ASA’s Bachelor’s and Beyond Research Project 2005-2009 “WHAT CAN I DO WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY?” A National Survey of Seniors Majoring in Sociology

  2. Top Job-Related Skills Gained by SOC majors • Understanding of people’s experiences as they vary by race, class, &/or gender • Sensitivity to effect of culture & society on the personal lives of individuals • Ability to view issues & problems from alternative perspectives • Ability to develop evidence-based arguments & use available data to take informed position on an issue • Critical thinking and analytical skills that aid in problem-solving

  3. Job-Related Skills & Job-Hunting • GOV’T JOBS • www.usajobs.gov • --can narrow search by city, state, zip code, gov’t agency name, or occupation • --useful occupation keywords: Administrative support; administration; management; human resources; social services; social sciences • --reasonable expectations: G-5 = entry level jobs for those w/ college degree; “foot in the door” jobs • State job websites: for ex., JobCenterofWisconsin.com • NON-PROFIT JOBS • www.idealist.org: search by occupational categories • www.cof.org (Council on Foundations: a org. serving foundations that make grants)

  4. Job application letter & resume • BEGIN CAREER PLANNING NOW! • --use course electives wisely--contemplate utility of an internship • --develop relationships with those whom you plan to ask for letters of recommendation • Application letter & resume: MODIFY, MODIFY! • --should fit job specifics • --highlight skills most relevant to job • --highlight coursework most relevant to job

  5. Resume YOUR NAME • Address: Phone: Email: • Seeking …. (type of job that you are seeking) __________________________________________________________ KEY SKILLS • __________________________________________________________ • EDUCATION • Name of high school; year of graduation • Name of college(s) attended; years of attendance; degree awarded • Major &, if applicable, Minors • Relevant coursework: • ____________________________________________________________ • JOB EXPERIENCE • ____________________________________________________________ REFERENCES

  6. Seeking a Competitive Advantage • Only one in 18 undergraduate sociology majors completes a Master’s degree • Value of MA degree to career advancement in many different fields; NOT just for those on path to PhDs and professorships! • Grad School admissions: 3.0 GPA, decent score on GRE, & 3 letters of recommendation • Financial cost of graduate school • Career Planning in grad school: picking your electives wisely; selecting a thesis topic

  7. Most Common Jobs of SOC Majors • Social services: 27% • --BA level: eligibility case worker; educ. outreach personnel; support staff in social service agencies • MA advancement opportunity: Directors of non-profit organizations; caseworker supervisors in gov’t agencies • Administrative Support: 16% • --BA level: administrative assistant; lower-level management • Administration/Management: 15% • Mid & upper-level management in gov’t agencies; non-profit directors • Opportunity optimized with a MA

  8. Some Anecdotal Info on UW Sociology Majors • Post-BA professional programs: Dunlap; Jacobs; Wing • Best “tracking info” is on grads of our MA program • Administration—Educational: Muecke (PhD), Rottweiller (PhD) • PhD/Professors—Armstrong, Asiedu, Bentel, Coon, Dommaraju, Dunham, Fertig, Koeber, Melichar, Stuhlsatz, & Yoshida • Research Analysts: Butler, Dorssom, Hahn, Jacobsen-Ashman (PhD), Johnston (PhD), Kasper-Wolfe, & Rohde • Social Service agencies/non-profits: Eastman; Prehn • Program Directors: Berg; Utz

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