Careers for Sociology Majors

Many students are concerned with how their major will help them obtain work after graduation. An undergraduate degree in sociology provides a broad range of analytical, organizational, critical thinking, and communication skills that are in high demand in today’s job market, regardless of the career field. According to the American Sociological Association, 87% of sociology majors go directly into the labor force after earning a degree, while the remainder pursue some type of advanced study.

What can I do with a Sociology major?

Keys to Academic and Career Success

Our sociology majors go on to do a wide variety of careers after graduation. Below is a sampling of what they are doing.

Management Trainee – Cintas
ICU Nurse – OSF
Client Specialist – Alight Solutions
Technical Recruiter – NTT Solutions
Account Executive – Yelp
DevOps Recruiter Delivery Lead – TEKsystems
Operations Manager – FedEx Ground
English Teacher in Tawain
Project Manager – Walgreens Corporate
Enrollment Advisor – Loyola Chicago
Program Assistant – the Baby Fold
Project Manager – Fieldwork, Inc.
Financial Representative – Northwestern Mutual
Associate Director of Human Resources – Marcfirst
Recruitment Team Lead, Allied Health – Medix™
Partner Resources Manager – Starbucks
Senior Business Intelligence Analyst – COUNTRY Financial
Case Manager Assistant – Carle Foundation Hospital
Trainer at Disney's Animal Kingdom – The Walt Disney Company
Data Analyst – SEIU Healthcare
Compliance Director & Research Associate – The Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute

Why Sociology?

Sociology is an ideal field for those who want a modern, competitive degree that will make them valuable in today’s changing job market. An undergraduate degree in sociology provides a solid foundation for a wide variety of occupations and professions, as well as graduate school training.

Sociology majors learn the fundamental transferrable skills and knowledge employers seek:

Analytic reasoning and problem solving skills
The research skills of collecting and analyzing data
The ability to think critically
Oral and written communication skills
Global and multicultural awareness
The ability to interact effectively in diverse teams
Teamwork
Leadership
A sense of social responsibility

What else can I do?

The most employable students are those who have completed several internships, gained volunteer and leadership experience during their college career, and who have excelled in their courses. Visit the Internship page, the Internship Database, and the Dean of Students Involvement page for more information on these opportunities.

What are my career options?

A major in sociology provides an excellent background for a variety of occupations. Consult the ISU Career Center for more information about career opportunities for sociology majors.

The fields listed below are just some of the areas sociology major have been able to find work in:

Business
Criminal Justice
Education
Environment and Health
Government
Human Services
Law
Research & Technology
Nonprofits and Foundations
More...

Where else can I find information?

The Illinois State University Career Center

The ISU Career Center is located on the lower level of the Student Services Building (across from the Bone Student Center). The Career Center offers career advisement and a wealth of information about potential careers for sociology majors.