What Can I Do with a Sociology Degree?
Sociology studies social life primarily at the group level. Sociologists examine institutions such as the family, the economy, and religion. They look at how couples interact with each other and negotiate household chores. They look at the decline of family farms in rural areas. They explore sources of social conflict between social classes, racial or ethnic groups, or between gender groups. They ask questions about the relationships between citizen groups and local governments, between states and nations, or between industrialized and developing nations in the emerging global arena.
Sociologists use a variety of methodological tools to do their work. They may explore the relationship between gender and spirituality by using in-depth interviews. They may study suicide behavior by looking at national statistical trends. They may conduct surveys to assess people's attitudes towards welfare reform and crime.
This combination of sociological insight and research methods prepares students for a variety of professional career options. For example, it provides a general liberal arts preparation for careers in law or business. It prepares a student for entry level positions in public administration, gerontology, or research and planning departments in government agencies. In addition, students can continue into graduate programs and become community college or university faculty.
The American Sociological Association has information on their site about possible careers.
The Otterbein Career Development Center also has a web site to help students explore career options.
