If you are a liberal arts student with a sociology degree, you may be
wondering, "What can I do with a sociology degree?" A Bachelor of Arts in
sociology prepares you for the rigors of graduate school studies, but you also
have a solid education and skill base for many other professions like law,
education, social work, medicine, and counseling. The knowledge you gain through
your degree will have a direct effect on your performance in these fields.
A sociology degree helps students explore human behavior within the
guidelines of an organizational structure. Sociology is important because
interaction between humans is so much more complex than interaction between
animals. Human behavior is influenced by many external factors—social,
religious, and legal, to start. Sociologists study and observe these behaviors
and influences that preserve some behaviors and change others. Social status,
class and criminal deviance are just a few that come to mind.
Sociology is a very broad science that touches on other social sciences such
as anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics. These social disciplines are much
more focused. The skills sociology students learn provide valuable preparation
for the business world. A sociological perspective on things is crucial when you
consider today's diverse business environment. Even an undergraduate has insight
about a variety of social factors like religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age,
education, social class, how they affect the workplace, and how organizations
operate.
Graduates may choose to enter non-academic settings such as human resources
management, employee and leadership training, marketing, advertising program
evaluation, and public policy, just to name a few. Positions like these require
an understanding of human culture and behavior.
A sociology degree provides you with the perfect skills for the social
services field. Positions in this field include rehabilitation, group work with
youth or the elderly, or administration positions.
Health services is an extension of the social services field. You can work in
family planning, counseling patients about birth control and unplanned
pregnancy. Counselors are also needed for substance abuse and rehabilitation
counseling centers, health planning, hospital admissions, and insurance
companies.
A sociology degree comes in handy in business with advertising, marketing,
sales, or consumer research. Understanding human nature is a big part of finding
success in these fields.
Government positions at the local, state, or federal levels can also be ideal
careers in such areas as transportation, agriculture, housing, and labor.
Securing an internship before or immediately after graduation gives you an
opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a particular field of interest. It
also allows you to try a career to see if you really like it, all the while
building your resume. There is a wide variety of internships available if you
have a sociology degree. You can usually find an opportunity through social and
government agencies and institutions that regularly offer internships, and maybe
even receive college credit for the experience. Even if it's an unpaid position,
it can be invaluable for the experience, skills learned, and getting your foot
in the door of a career you love.
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