WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...SOCIOLOGY

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so·ci·ol·o·gy

1. The study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins, organization, institutions, and development of human society.

2. Analysis of a social institution or societal segment as a self-contained entity or in relation to society as a whole.*

*“sociology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 7 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sociology>.

Sociology Majors Study

• Characteristics, changes, causes and consequences of human behavior in groups

• The structure and dynamics of social systems

• Effects of gender, ethnicity, class, religion, and community on individuals and groups

• Critical thinking skills helpful in complex problem solving

...and more

Specializations

Population Studies Marriage & Family Crime & Delinquency Human Resources

Management

Public Relations Social Inequality Gender Roles

Most undergraduate programs offer only a general course of study. However, many specializations can be pursued with further study. These include (but are not limited to):

Sociology Degrees Available At The University Of South Carolina

Ph.D

MA

BS

BA

Sociology At The University Of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Options Graduate Options

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Bachelor of Science (BS)

The university also offers a Minor in Sociology

Master of Arts (MA)Thesis required.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D)Dissertation required.

Sociology Majors Develop Skills In

• Critical analysis• Oral and written

communication• Interpersonal relations• Understanding of

different cultures• Problem solving• Observing individuals in

various types of group settings

• Working cooperatively with others

• Adapting to varied and changing conditions

• Conflict resolution • Adapting cultural

theories to other populations

• Intentional interviewing

Employment

Bachelor's Degree/Entry Level– Business – Communication – Education – Law Enforcement– Recreation– Social Services

Further Education– Law– Public Policy– Social Work– Psychology

The sociological perspective is crucial for success in today’s multicultural and multinational work environments. Thus, a background in sociology is valuable preparation for careers in almost any modern organizational setting including:

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Account Executive• Community Relations

Representative• Corporate

Merchandising Manager• Customer Service

Representative• EEO/AA Specialist• Junior Market Analyst

• Labor Relations Manager

• Marketing Director• Mediator• Operations Manager• Recruiter• Regulatory

Administrator• Statistician Analyst

Employment Settings

• Consulting:

Includes historical and ethnographic research; political and population surveying, social/cultural assessments, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula; assessing services, and more.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Consulting

• Bicultural Curricula Developer

• Business Consultant• Community Planner• Corporate

Communications Consultant

• Employee Relations Specialist

• Marketing Strategist

• Mediator• Management

Consultant • Policy Analyst• Public Health Advisor• Public Relations

Consultant• Recruitment Consultant• Training Specialist

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions evaluator• Author/writer• Career counselor• College or university

professor• Financial aid director• Guidance counselor • Health educator

• Lecturer• Primary school teacher• Residence hall director• Secondary school

teacher • Student affairs

professional

Employment Settings

• Social Services: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social

Services

• Art Therapist• Career Planning

Professional• Child Psychologist• Community Worker• Corrections Worker• Crisis Intervention

Counselor• Expressive Therapist

• Mental Health Coordinator

• Non-Profit Agency Coordinator

• Occupational Therapist• Parole Officer• Public Health

Statistician• Social Worker

Distribution Of Employed Persons With A Bachelor’s Degree In

Sociology By Sector

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Government/ Military, 25%

Self-Employed, 10%

Education, 18%Non-Profit, 10%

Private-for-profit, 37%

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s

Degree In Sociology

1 Top- and mid-level managers, executives

2 Social Workers

3 Other administrative (i.e. record clerks)

4 Other management-related occupations

5 Sales (including retail) 6 Sales (including retail)

6 Other marketing and sales occupations

7 Receptionists, typists

8 Personnel, training and labor relations specialists

9 Insurance, securities, real estate, business services

10 Accountants, auditors, other financial specialists

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Pursue an excellent academic record

• Obtain part-time, summer, or internship work experience

• Volunteer with service and counseling organizations

• Become fluent in a foreign language

• Obtain a minor in a related area (i.E. Criminal justice, psychology, gender studies or education)

• Obtain an advanced degree and/or certification to perform counseling

• Develop strong writing and speaking skills

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills

• Become comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and cultures

• Take courses focusing on inequality and families

• Become active in peer mediation groups if available

• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups

• Obtain teaching certification

• Acquire survey and evaluation skills

Books And Web Resources

BooksCareers in Sociology by W. Richard Stevens Jr

Great Jobs for Sociology Majors by Stephen Lambert

Careers Serving Families and Consumers by The Elizabeth Kendall Sproles and George B. Sproles

Websites

American Sociological Association - http://www.asanet.org/

The SocioWeb: Sociological Resources on the Internet - http://www.socioweb.com/

SocSite - http://www.abacon.com/socsite/index.html

  

Resources For More Information

Department of Sociologywww.cas.sc.edu/socy

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Sociology related websiteshttp://www.sc.edu/career/la/socio.html

CAS Career Development websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career center contact information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)