Sociology - Academic Advising - Careers
FAQs · Enrollment · Campus Resources and Links · Careers
What can I do with my degree?
Enter the work force, research, attend graduate and professional programs, perform a year or two of public service, or explore other options.
All of the positions listed below are open to and appropriate for sociology graduates, because they require the skills and theoretical perspective secured through sociological training. Your special interests, course choices, experiences, and work-setting preferences will direct you to the career you wish to pursue.
Research Employment Opportunities for Graduating Sociology Majors
Sociology majors can find research positions at a variety of private firms and governmental agencies conducting social science research throughout the country. Researchers are employed at the PhD, MA/MS, and BA/BS levels. Jobs in data collection are also available for non-college graduates. Individuals entering a research position with a BA/BS degree are frequently employed in data collection management positions and as entry-level analysts on a research team. While many senior employees have advanced graduate training in sociology and other disciplines, experienced researchers with a BA/BS degree can attain project director and senior analyst positions. Graduate admissions committees look favorably on full-time research experience, and many individuals work for a few years and subsequently acquire advanced degrees.
Many of these companies also offer fellowship programs for students, and have relationships with universities to support degree completion while working. Of course, the academic sector has thousands of research centers at universities and colleges across the US , which are staffed by faculty and graduate students. Attending graduate school expands one's research opportunities greatly.
JOB TITLES FOR SOCIOLOGY MAJORS
You can follow up on interesting job titles at the Academic Career Information Center , 14 Holton Hall, http://www.k-state.edu/acic/ , 532-7494. Some of these job titles may require additional education and/or training.
Business and Industry
- Advertising Staffer
- Banker
- Computer Analyst
- Consumer relations worker
- Control Engineer
- Data Entry Manager
- Human Resources Manager
- Insurance Agent
- Labor Relations Staffer
- Market Analyst
- Merchandiser/Purchaser
- Planning Assistant
- Production Manager
- Project Manager
- Public Relations Staffer
- Publishing Staffer
- Quality Control Manager
- Real Estate Agent
- Recruiter
- Sales Representative/Manager
- Technical Writer
- Telemarketer
- Trainer/Training Assistant
Community and Social Services
- Case Manager
- Caseworker/Aide
- Child Care Worker
- Child Development Technician
- Community Aide
- Community Organizer
- Environmental Organizer
- Family Planning Worker
- Fund Raising Assistant/Director
- Group Home Worker
- Homeless/Housing Worker
- Hospital Administrator
- Housing Coordinator
- Medical Records Coordinator
- Occupational/Career Counselor
- Public Administration Assistant
- Public Assistance Worker
- Public Health Supervisor
- Recreation Worker
- Rehabilitation Program Worker
- Resident Planning Aide
- Rural Health Outreach Worker
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Youth Outreach Worker
Education
- Admissions Counselor
- Affirmative Action Assistant
- Alumni Relations Worker
- College Placement Worker
- Extension Service Specialist
- Public Health Educator
- Student Personnel Worker
- Teacher
Government
- Affirmative Action Worker
- Employee Specialist
- Foreign Service Officer
- Human Rights Officer
- Information Officer
- International Worker
- Legislative Aide
- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Personnel Coordinator
- Program Supervisor
- Special Agent
- Urban Planner
Research
- Census Research Assistant
- Consumer Researcher
- Criminology Assistant
- Data Analyst
- Demographer Assistant
- Interviewer
- Market Researcher
- Social Research Assistant
- Statistician
- Survey Research Assistant
Federal Law Enforcement
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Inspector
- Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Special Agent
- Customs Aide
- Customs Canine Enforcement Officer
- Customs Import Specialist
- Customs Inspector
- Customs Patrol Officer
- Customs Pilot
- Customs Special Agent
- Deputy U.S. Marshal
- Drug Enforcement Special Agent
- Environmental Conservation Officer
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent
- Federal Investigations Investigator
- Federal Protective Service Officer/Criminal Investigator
- Fish and Wildlife Service, Special Agent
- Immigration and Naturalization Service, Border Patrol Agent
- Immigration and Naturalization Criminal Investigator
- Immigration and Naturalization Deportation Officer
- Immigration and Naturalization Inspector
- Inspector General Investigator
- Internal Revenue Criminal Investigator
- Internal Revenue Internal Security Inspector
- Naval Investigative Service/Criminal Investigator
- Park Police (United States)
- Postal Service Inspector
- Secret Service Agent
- Secret Service Uniformed Officer
State and Municipal Law Enforcement
- Deputy Sheriff Investigator ( State County , Municipal)
- State Police Officer/State Trooper
- Police Officer (Municipal)
Careers in Corrections
- Correctional Treatment Specialist (Federal Prison)
- Corrections Counselor
- Corrections Officer
- Juvenile Justice Counselor
- Parole Officer
- Pre-Release Program Correctional Counselor
- Pre-Release Program Employment Counselor
- Pre-Release Program Halfway House Manager
- Probation Officer
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Warden
- Other Related Corrections Occupations
- Clinical Psychologist
- Vocational Counselor
- Recreational Counselor
- Academic Teacher
- Caseworker/HIV Specialist
- Education Counselor
- Substance Abuse Specialist
- Classification and Treatment Director
- Management Coordinator
- Inmate Records Coordinator
- Correctional Facilities Specialist
- Facilities Specialist
- Prisoner-Classification Interviewer
- Penologist
CAREERS IN FORENSIC SCIENCE / CRIMINALISTICS
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Criminalistics
Ballistics Specialist / Toolmark Specialist
Serology Specialist / Fingerprint Specialist
Arson Specialist / Document Specialist
Polygraph Specialist
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The Crime Laboratories
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
U.S. Customs Service
Drug Enforcement Administration
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CAREERS IN PRIVATE SECURITY
Diverse Employment Opportunities
- Retail Security
- Commercial Security
- Institutional Security
- Industrial Security
Job Responsibilities
- Administrator/Manager
- Investigator
- Technician
- Protective Specialist
*Adapted from the American Sociological Association's "Embarking Upon a Career with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology" and from data supplied by Career Placement Offices and Sociology Departments at major institutions of higher education in the United States .