Why Study Sociology?
American Sociological Association's Report: "What can I do with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology?"
Students graduating with a degree in Sociology will have an excellent general knowledge of the field of sociology and a solid competence in statistics and research methods. Some skills of successful Sociology majors include:
- Ability to recognize trends and patterns.
- Strong critical thinking and analytical skills
- Data analysis skills
- Oral presentation and Interpersonal communications skills
- Research and grant writing skills
- Management, planning and organizational skills
- Ability to create concise reports and essays for different audiences
Examples of Occupations for Sociology majors
Today, sociologists embark upon literally hundreds of career paths, reflecting a growing appreciation of sociology's contributions to interdisciplinary analysis and action. Some examples of occupations for Sociology majors are:
| Marketing researchers | Marriage Counselor | Nursing Home Administrator |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | Child Welfare Worker | Personnel Manager |
| Public Relations Manager | Gerontologist | Market Research Analyst |
| Human Resources Administrator | FBI agents | News media |
| Admissions Counselor | Speech Pathologist | Social Worker |
| Customer Service | Youth Counselor | Career Counselor |
| US Census worker | Stock brokers | Probation Parole Officer |
| Advertising Manager | Sales and Customer Representative |
Types of Employers
| Banks Publishing Companies Management Consulting Firms Division of Youth & Family Services Advertising Agencies Federal Bureau of Prisons US Census Bureau Market Research Firms Hospitals |
Adoption and Child Care Agencies Educational Institutions Foreign Service Radio and TV Stations Newspapers, Magazines Correctional Institutions Federal Communications Commission Substance Abuse Clinics Retail Stores Peace Corps/VISTA |
Some Famous Sociologists
| Politics: Michelle Obama, wife of President Barack Obama Brett Schundler, mayor of Jersey City Wellington Webb, mayor of Denver Annette Strauss, former mayor of Dallas Rev. Martin Luther King Roy Wilkins, former head of NAACP Rev. Jesse Jackson Rev. Ralph Abernathy Shirley Chisholm, former Congresswoman from NY Maxine Waters, Congresswoman from LA Barbara Mikulski, US Senator from Maryland Tim Holden, Congressman from Pennsylvania Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, DC Saul Alinsky, father of community organizing Ronald Reagan (double major, sociology & economics) Emily Balch, 1946 Nobel Peace Prize winner Francis Perkins, former Secretary of Labor Richard Barajas, Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court |
Arts: Saul Bellow, novelist Regis Philbin, TV host Dan Aykroyd, actor/Blues Brother Robin Williams, actor/comedian Paul Shaffer, bandleader on David Letterman Show (and before that, Saturday Night Live) Dinah Shore, singer Ruth Westheimer, the "sex doctor" S |
Sports: Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat Bryant Stith, Boston Celtics Brian Jordan, Atlanta Braves Joe Theisman, NFL quarterback Eric Bjornson, Dallas Cowboys Bobby Taylor, Eagles cornerback Ahmad Rashad, Sportscaster |
For more information on careers in Sociology, click here: http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/careers_and_jobs/careers_in_sociology
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