General Information:

Many transferable skills such as analytical, organizational, research, interpersonal, computer, leadership, teamwork and oral/written communication are associated with the sociology degree.
Internships, part-time jobs, summer jobs and/or volunteer experiences are critical.
An undergraduate degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions in business, industry and government; however, a graduate degree is likely to be more desirable in a competitive market.
An undergraduate degree in sociology is great preparation for graduate or professional education in sociology, law, counseling, psychology, social work, medicine, education, college student personnel, higher education administration and other related fields. Research pre-requisites for graduate or professional programs of interest.
To enhance graduate or professional school opportunities, maintain a high grade point average, secure strong faculty recommendations, join student or professional organizations and gain relevant experience outside of the classroom through work, internship, volunteer and research opportunities.
A Ph.D. is required for teaching at the four-year university level.
For human or social service positions, gain experience with a population of interest (i.e., children, college students, elderly adults) and develop multicultural sensitivity and understanding.
Talk with professionals working in areas of interest.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in Sociology:

Human Services: Areas & EmployersAreas – Human Services
Counseling
Case Management
Advocacy
Mental Health Services
Programming
Administration
Employers
Community service agencies
Advocacy groups
Federal, state, and local government
United Way agencies
Local branches of national non-profit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations
Private foundations
Adoption and child care agencies Nursing homes and retirement communities
Hospitals and wellness centers
Halfway houses
Vocational services
Educational information services
Insurance companies
Human Services: StrategiesStrategies
Gain experience and develop helping skills through volunteer positions. Spend summers working at camps, YMCA’s or other social service agencies. Gain experience working with diverse populations. Develop excellent communication skills. Concentrate course work in an area of interest such as youth, gerontology or poverty. Learn a second language in order to interact with non-English speakers and increase marketability. Serve as a peer mentor, resident assistant or other student leader. Earn a master’s degree in social work, counseling or other related field to increase employment opportunities. Most states require licensure or certification for positions involving the direct provision of therapeutic services to clients.
Criminal Justice: Areas & EmployersAreas – Criminal Justice
Corrections
Rehabilitation
Law Enforcement
Judiciary
Employers
Correctional institutions
Court systems
Federal, state and local government (especially law enforcement agencies)
Criminal Justice: StrategiesStrategies
Gain practical experience via part-time or summer jobs, internships or volunteer work. Volunteer to work with troubled youth. Obtain a graduate or law degree for advancement. Consider obtaining experience in a branch of the military.
Education: Areas & EmployersAreas – Education
Teaching
Research
Employers
Public and private schools Colleges and universities
Adult education providers
Education: StrategiesStrategies
Obtain certification/licensure to teach grades K-12. Become certified to teach multiple subjects and age groups for increased job opportunities. Earn a graduate degree for post-secondary teaching opportunities. Assist a professor with research. Take extra courses in research and statistics. Develop exceptional written and oral communication skills. Volunteer as a tutor. Secure strong personal recommendations, particularly from professors.
Government: Areas & EmployersAreas – Government
Social Statistics
Demography
Public Administration
Policy Analysis
Research
Program Development
Human Services
City Planning
Law Enforcement
Employers
Federal departments and agencies such as: Departments of Agriculture, Education, Interior, Commerce, Defense, Health and Human Services, Drug Enforcement Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Housing and Urban Development, Veteran’s Administration, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging
State and local government
Peace Corps
Government: StrategiesStrategies
Supplement curriculum with coursework in statistics and social research. Develop exceptional computer, communication and research skills. Gain work experience via government internships, part-time jobs or summer work. Develop a specialty such as aging, family, criminal justice or healthcare. Learn the federal job application process. Obtain a graduate degree for advanced positions. Consider beginning a career with the government by joining the military.
Social Science Research: Areas & EmployersAreas – Social Science Research
Research
Data Analysis
Demography
Market Research
Information Sourcing
Employers
Universities
Government agencies
Research institutes
Non-profit agencies
Community organizations
Private industries
Advertising and marketing firms
Consulting organizations
Information brokers
Newspapers, magazines, news agencies
Public opinion research polls
Social Science Research: StrategiesStrategies
Develop exceptional quantitative, statistical and writing skills. Learn to use statistics software packages as well as database, spreadsheet and desktop publishing programs. Volunteer to help a professor with a research project. Obtain an advanced degree in sociology for research administration positions.
Earn certification in applied social research by The American Sociological Association. Network with professionals working in areas of interest. Gain experience working on teams.
Environment and Society: EmployersEmployers
Waste management firms
Health agencies
Local planning agencies
Environmental advocacy groups
Environmental periodicals
Federal government
Regional, state and local agencies
Consulting firms
Private industry
Environment and Society: StrategiesEnhance curriculum with courses in ecology, environmental science and statistics. Join environment-related student organizations. Volunteer to work on environmental clean-up projects. Find a related internship, part-time or summer job. Obtain a graduate degree for advancement.
Business: Areas & EmployersAreas – Business
Human Resources: Training and Development, Recruiting
Management
Sales
Marketing
Public Relations
Office Administration
Employers
Insurance firms
Retail stores
Banks
Staffing agencies
Manufacturing companies
Service industries
Non-profit organizations
Healthcare organizations
Business: StrategiesStrategies
Earn a minor in business or supplement curriculum with courses in general business, accounting and finance. Gain business experience through part-time jobs, summer work and internships. Develop excellent computer skills. Learn to use software applications such as spreadsheets, databases and word processing. Hone written and oral communication skills. Join related professional associations. Seek leadership roles in student organizations.