Congratulations, you have a degree in sociology! But now what? The options are so vast and so alluring. Should you start working for the government right away, or perhaps apply to grad school? Maybe you should travel or find some other job so you can get some real-world experience. Or should you just continue what you’re doing and take classes on the side.

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I Have A Bachelors Degree In Sociology Now What

Why do people do what they do? How do group dynamics work — and why do they sometimes fail? What role does gender play in employment opportunities, salaries, and leadership? These are only a few of the many questions professionals in the field of sociology think about and seek to answer. Sociology is a broad discipline in which “everything in the social realm is open for study, including family, marriage, deviance, criminology, group interaction, gender roles, sexuality, work roles, public policy, aging, social inequality, attitude development, and much more.” But, even though the field covers so many topics, what can you do with a bachelor’s in sociology?

The Versatility of a Bachelor’s in Sociology

According to the American Sociological Association (ASA), a bachelor degree in sociology “serves as an excellent springboard for a variety of careers in many diverse fields.” The skills taught in sociology programs like the online degree offered at National University can be applied in many different ways to follow a variety of different career paths.

“I’m a great example of how versatile a degree in sociology can be,” says Dr. Thomas M. Green, a professor in National University’s College of Letters and Sciences. “Teaching here at National is my third career.”

Green says he became interested in sociology early in his years as an undergraduate. “One of my sociology professors did some work at a local penitentiary and we’d go over there with him sometimes,” he recalls. “One day, as part of the work we were doing with the inmates, my school’s JV team played a basketball game against some of the prisoners and I was scared to death. In fact, none of us wanted to rebound against them because we were afraid we’d get hurt. But during a break in the action, I had a chance to talk with some of the inmates and I realized that those guys were a lot like my friends — except they’d done something wrong and had gotten caught.” That moment of understanding was a key factor in Green’s decision to pursue a major in sociology.

After graduating with a bachelor’s in sociology, Green earned his teaching certificate and taught special education classes at a local high school. “This is when the light bulb came on,” he says. “I realized that working with people in this way — helping them to learn and maximize their potential — was what I was meant to do.” However, after teaching for five years, while also earning a master’s degree in education and a master’s degree in sociology, he and his wife moved to Hawaii. During the decade they spent there, Green earned his Ph.D. in sociology and began working for the state’s attorney general’s office where he was in charge of the Uniform Crime Reporting program.

When Green and his wife moved back to southern California, he decided he wanted to combine his love of teaching with his interest in the work he had done for the attorney general’s office. This decision led him to accept a teaching position at National University, where he has had the opportunity to help hundreds of students earn their online degrees in the social sciences — including sociology.

Giving Employers and Students What They Want

The sociology curriculum at National University is based on what employers indicate they want and expect from employees. “They’re looking for job candidates with very good oral and written communication skills, a capability for critical thinking, excellent presentation skills, multidisciplinary thinking, research skills, and the ability to thoroughly evaluate information,” explains Green. “They want problem solvers — those who understand how all of the pieces fit. And that’s what we’re delivering when it comes to National students who graduate with a bachelors in sociology.”

The ASA has found that those with a bachelor degree in sociology also use additional skills and concepts they learned through their studies. They include alternative or critical perspectives, sociological concepts and theories, data analysis, research design, diversity, groups and teams, the impact of social institutions on individuals, and social problems.

While the sociology curriculum at National University is informed by the needs of employers, it’s also inspired by the goals of students. “Our sociology students are focused on making a difference,” says Green. “They like our program because it provides an understanding of diversity and an appreciation of how those who are different from us can bring things to the table that are valuable.”

Sociology majors at National University develop a deep understanding of how social institutions work — including the military, businesses, prisons, and religious organizations. “They learn about social problems and the impact they have on all of us,” says Green. “This is where a lot of sociology majors have light bulbs coming on. Because, for the first time, they begin to understand things like why there are so many kids living on the streets today, why people are complaining about police in certain neighborhoods and all kind of other social issues.”

Where and How Sociology Majors are Making a Difference

In a study conducted by the American Sociological Association, researchers looked at why students choose to pursue a bachelor’s in sociology. They categorized responses into two groups. The first group pursued the degree “to help change society, to understand their own lives, and to understand the relationship between social forces and individuals.” The second group pursued the degree “to prepare for a job or to prepare for graduate school.” At National University, students tend to fall into these two groups.

Regardless of a student’s major, “it’s not the knowledge or information that’s particularly useful,” says Green, it’s how you apply it.” At National University, sociology majors are taught how to take the skills they learn — such as problem-solving, research, empathy, and critical thinking skills — and find ways to successfully apply them to any work environment.

“A lot of our graduates who earn their bachelor’s in sociology work in law enforcement, doing everything from helping at-risk youth to serving as probation officers,” says Green. “We have students who are working as nurses, but want a bachelor’s in sociology so that they can expand their multicultural understanding of the patients they’re working with.” According to Green, other career paths that National University’s sociology majors take include health services, coaching, global NGOs, community service, program evaluation, health and social policy analysis, and education.

The American Sociological Association conducted a study of 2012 graduates with a bachelor degree in sociology to see what types of career paths they would choose. Job categories included social services/counselors, administrative support/clerical, sales/marketing, teachers/librarians, service occupations, other professional fields, management-related careers, and social science researcher.

Work descriptions provided by some of the 575 study respondents reflect the variety of career options open to someone with a background in sociology:

1. “I work as an advocate for victims of domestic violence in a public assistance office.”
2. “Provide support within different parts of Human Resources (including recruiting, benefits, payroll, and director of HR).”
3. “I sell survey software – specifically I sell 360 feedback software.”
4. “Assessed the performance of social media strategies as they relate to traffic growth, reader engagement, SEO, sales, and marketing. Created quantitative analyses using advanced Excel, Omniture, Google Analytics, and WordPress.”
5. “Counselor for homeless and runaway youth in a shelter.”
6. “I plan the events and do all marketing and communication for the mentoring and career services office…”
7. “I manage a before and after school program for elementary students that includes activities, lessons, and enrichment.”
8. “I am a Kindergarten teacher: I instruct students in the Spanish language.”

The study not only looked at what respondents were doing but where they were working. It found that work environments for these sociology majors included private for-profit companies; private non-profit, tax-exempt, or charitable organizations; local government (e.g., city, county); state government; U.S. government as a civilian employee, U.S. military, and some were self-employed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), states with the highest employment level in the sociology field include California, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Texas. The BLS that the states that the job outlook for sociologists is projected to remain stable through 2026.

Salaries in the field vary depending on where you work and whether you go on to pursue a master’s degree or a Ph.D. The BLS puts the annual median salary of sociologists at $79,650 nationally and $95,550 in California, but most jobs at those salary levels will require advanced education.

With additional study beyond a bachelor’s in sociology, majors in this field can also go on to pursue careers in social work, law, market research, counseling, public relations, polling, media planning, and other areas.

For students who have already chosen a career path that’s not directly related to sociology, deciding to pursue a bachelor degree in sociology can still be very beneficial. “By studying as a sociology major, students who are currently working full-time can gain a broader perspective about the role they’re in,” says Green. “For example, if they’re enlisted in the military, they might find themselves in a culture they’re not used to and are wondering how to get along with those they don’t have much in common with. Studying the principles of sociology can give them the skills they need to succeed.”

Finding a Job in Sociology

It’s clear that a bachelor’s degree in sociology can open up many different career paths. But, how do you find the job that’s right for you?

The ASA offers a number of tips for students who are graduating with a bachelor’s in sociology. First, do your research. What are recent graduates in the field doing? A study conducted by the ASA found that sociology grads with the highest job satisfaction tend to be employed in social services or as counselors, and they also tend to be applying the sociological concepts they learned in school. But, finding the career that fits your particular interests is the goal. “The key is describing how your degree offers the skills employers want.”

Second, the ASA recommends looking at online job boards to search for entry-level positions that are similar to the type of job you want. Once you get your foot in the door, you can work your way up.

Finally, asking for an informational interview with a company or organization you’re interested in provides a wonderful opportunity to expand your network — as does reaching out to professional colleagues you already know. Social media platforms — especially LinkedIn — can be another effective way to make connections with those who are in your field.

So, what can you do with a sociology degree?

Thanks to the far-reaching nature of sociology, students can often choose the direction their degree program takes, particularly if it’s possible to specialize in a particular field of interest after the first year of study.

The specializations you take during your sociology degree will not only help you focus on a particular area but could also help make you more employable within specialized fields. Sociology careers in rehabilitation, for instance, may be easier to pursue with a specialization in crime and punishment.

Read on for insights into a range of different careers in sociology, with information on what to expect in each sector.

Sociology careers in the community and youth work

Community and youth development are common yet incredibly important fields in which to pursue sociology careers. The focus here lies with social welfare amongst young and vulnerable people as well as the wider community, on both a local and a national scale. Often these roles have close involvement with social politics, particularly regarding social care, education, community involvement, poverty, rehabilitation and healthcare.

Studying sociology will help develop the broad knowledge needed to work in community development, including awareness of how laws and regulations affect society and strong interpersonal skills. Common roles in community and youth work include community officer, social worker, carer, youth worker, equality and diversity officer and sports development officer.

Sociology careers in counselling and therapy

If you’d like to work within your community in a more intimate capacity, studying sociology could provide a way into counselling and therapy careers. While a psychology degree is a more typical route into professional psychology careers, counsellors and therapists can come from numerous backgrounds. The main attributes required are strong interpersonal, communication and critical thinking skills and an ability to empathize without judgment.

Counselling and therapy roles mean working closely with a diverse range of people – individuals, couples and/or groups – helping them to talk through and overcome an array of problems. It is also worth noting that a professional qualification may be needed to develop further in this industry, and an additional medical qualification should be considered for anyone who wants to pursue a career in mental health.

Sociology careers in education

For careers in primary and secondary education, a sociology degree could provide you with relevant knowledge of education in society, as well as the child development process, and even the laws of the playground. Although a background in sociology provides a solid foundation for careers in education, a professional teaching qualification is also often required, usually taking one year to complete.

For careers in higher education, postgraduate qualifications are often a prerequisite – you’ll typically need at least a master’s degree, and often a PhD. At this level you’ll likely be working within your own specialization in a teaching and/or research capacity. Job roles include lecturer, tutor and researcher; many of those working in academia combine several of these functions, while focusing on writing papers for publication in journals.

Sociology careers in public servic

Careers in public service often focus on similar issues to those addressed in community development roles. Potential public service jobs for sociology graduates include roles in social and welfare services, public health services, the voluntary sector, criminal justice, probation and prison services, rehabilitation and housing services.

Social researchers are also needed to track societal developments across the public service sector. Employers often look for analytical and critical thinking skills, cross-cultural understanding, ability to collate and present complex information, awareness of current laws and regulations in the sector and solid interpersonal skills.

Other careers with a sociology degree

Careers in business

Combining a background in sociology with a career in business opens up a huge range of potential career paths and sectors. Business careers span every industry, incorporating roles in marketing, statistics, research, public relations (PR), recruitment, human resources (HR) and more. Those who study sociology are likely to have the strong analytical skills needed to make it in the business world, as well as the critical thinking skills needed to make connections and find solutions to business issues.

Careers in marketing

A knowledge of the complexity of human societies and behavior is extremely helpful for pursuing careers in marketing. Marketers focus on targeting messages to different sections of society, identifying the needs of different demographics and acting accordingly. An understanding of how to categorize and analyze different subsections within society will help with the creation and targeting of marketing campaigns, with the statistical and analytical skills gained during a sociology degree providing an excellent background for effective work in this field.

Careers in politics, activism and the charity sector

Sociologists’ knowledge of society, patterns of social relationships and the culture of everyday life is important in order to question the status quo in society, in matters such as race, class and gender equality. If you want to use the skills and knowledge gained during your degree to make society better, you could consider careers within the charity sector, local and national politics, or by becoming a political activist.

Entry-level roles in professional politics may require a relevant postgraduate degree. But many roles are available to bachelor’s graduates who can demonstrate their passion for the sector alongside skills in conducting research and analyzing complex data, awareness of current affairs and the ability to argue, reason and persuade.