Working in Sociology: An In-Depth Guide

Which Types of Jobs Are Available For Those Interested in Sociology?

Sociology is the study of human social behavior, including how we as humans interact with each other, how human societies are similar and different, and how social constructions impact human behavior. Sociology is a diverse field that can range from a broad introduction to underlying principals of human behavior to a narrowly focused study of one particular society.

Sociology careers can take many forms. The American Sociological Association (ASA) conducted a longitudinal study of those who majored in sociology in college and graduated in 2005. They found 26.5 percent of those who work full-time (over 35 hours per week) have jobs in social services, or as counselors and psychologists. Other full-time and part-time positions held by sociology graduates included teachers, librarians, sales and marketing professionals, and social science researchers. Many sociology majors go on to get post-graduate and doctorate degrees.

One of the perks of degrees in sociology is that they are a good basis for many types of post-graduate degrees, including a master's in sociology. Whether you want to go into law, marketing, counseling and psychology, or education, sociology degree programs are a great launching pad.

Of course, many dream sociology jobs might not be available when you graduate. The job market can pose as a challenge to sociology majors--but that is true in any industry when unemployment in general is high. In fact, 15.8 percent of graduates in the ASA's study reported that they worked full-time in clerical or administrative support.

Formal Training Required to Work in a Career Related to Sociology

A bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree is recommended for anyone wanting to embark on a career in sociology. For acceptance into accredited sociology degree programs, a high school diploma or equivalent is required.

As a sociology student you can take basic courses the first two years including statistics--sociology research and analysis are important elements of a sociologist's job. Then upper level classes follow with more intense and specialized subject matter. Sociology programs generally require coursework in topics like race and ethnicity, gender, the family, and socioeconomic class.

The undergraduate program takes at least four years and a master's program in sociology typically takes about two years of full-time course work. If you are interested in teaching sociology or conducting advanced sociology research, you might want to obtain a PhD in sociology, which can take an addition four to seven years.

The Typical Career Path of Someone Interested in Sociology

Careers paths for sociology majors depend on your areas of interest and training. Sociology majors may go on to earn a master's degree in counseling or social work. Some entry level positions in this field may be available to those with a bachelor's degree in sociology as well.

Sociologists can also find work in community centers or non-profit organizations, working in advocacy, community organizing, or outreach work. Sociologists can also be found in corporations, particularly in human resources or diversity outreach positions.

Sociologists' knowledge of human behavior and human interaction can also prepare them for careers in marketing or product research. For those with an interest in human pathology, careers in criminal justice or forensic psychology may be possible, although they may require additional training.

Not only can you use sociology as a basis for a number of post-graduate studies, you can pair it with a certificate program in a number of fields to increase your resume strength. Writing, human resources, mediation and other short-term extension courses can complement your degree and increase your earning power in the workforce.

Though both men and women pursue sociology degrees, women are the majority. In data kept by the ASA, there were 366 women who received a PhD in sociology in 2008 compared to 235 men. This is in stark contrast from the late 1970s when there were 511 PhD's awarded to men and 220 to women.

Job Outlook and Salary Information for Those Interested in Sociology

Employment for sociologists is expected to go up as much as 21 percent over the next decade. This is much higher than expected in other careers. The advantages that sociologists have over other candidates is broad training in research and evaluation. Those with the highest level of education in the field should have the strongest job prospects.

Because there is incredible breadth in applying a sociology degree to a career, there is incredible breadth of salaries. Per the ASA, a full-time college-level sociology professor gets paid an average of $91,406 annually. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those working in community and social services had a median annual wage of $38,970 per year while post-secondary sociology teachers earned $72,060 in 2009.