How to Get a Job With Your Sociology Degree

As the practice of sociology continues to change and develop, so do the careers opportunities available. Working as a sociologist involves using quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyze data. Most people are familiar with the more standard jobs involving sociology degrees like being a social scientist, policy analyst, journalist or social worker. Although these are the most common career fields people with sociology degrees tend to pursue, this doesn’t mean other options aren not available. In Reflections on the Academic Job Search in Sociology, “the authors emphasize the key methods a sociologist should take up in order to stand out from other applicants, these methods being “the sociological importance of identity work, self-presentation, and [understanding] interactional patterns in the job search process.” (27) These methods advise that if one desires to get hired, they must gather information on the specific field of work they are applying for, and during the interview, must demonstrate their knowledge on that specific subject, even if it is not their specialized field of study.” (Cotten, 2001) This allows sociology degree applicants to get the most out of their interview process, offering a higher chance of success with getting the job. When it comes to what employers are looking for, they “look for a sociology major in unusual fields, such as medical industry or construction settings, and the skills that they prioritize the most mainly concern people-management, as a lot of sociology graduates are currently employed in personnel positions, along with the basic skills, such as writing or editing.” (Watson, 1982) Possessing skills in these fields will give greater opportunity to find a career with a sociology degree. Graduates possessing strong interpersonal skills that are clearly conveyed during the interview process will likely have greater success finding a career with a sociology degree.