If you like the idea of learning how people interact the way they do, then a sociology degree might be for you. During your undergrad years, youll learn to think critically about social phenomena. This is a broad major, which means you have a variety of options open after graduation. Everything is open for study, like criminology, family, group interaction, work roles, aging, and more.
Getting Your Degree
You have to learn how to research the social world. Youll find and analyze data using both statistical tools and qualitative methods. Expect to communicate your research findings and include your perspective on societal issues. By refining your presentation skills, you can better share what you learned with your peers and faculty members. So how do you pay for school? Many students choose to take out private student loans for undergrad school. That often eliminates the need to get a job, giving you more time to focus on your classes. It will also give you time to explore your interests. Since there are so many career options available after graduation, think about your values and other skills so you can apply your degree to your future career.
Guidance Counselor
In this field, you will use your knowledge of the sociology of learning. You will help students navigate the world of academics. A guidance counselor communicates with families to create strategies to help students make both academic and career choices. With your problem-solving skills, you will mediate conflicts and help resolve social issues in schools. You might facilitate group sessions while telling students about substance abuse, bullying, and other social issues.
Lawyer
If you’re good at critical thinking, you might consider going to law school after graduation. Areas of law like divorce, adoption, criminal law, worker compensation, and personal injury relate to sociology. You will use your research and writing skills to gather evidence and facts to support a thesis, the same way that sociology majors do in school. Youll need to be able to present your findings clearly and convincingly to a jury or judge, similarly to presentations in your sociology classes.
Working in Business
You could also be a human resources (HR) representative or a management consultant. As an HR representative, youll need to be able to effectively communicate with a range of groups and individuals. HR professionals are responsible for hiring new employees, so its important to be able to analyze work roles and determine how suitable a candidate might be. If this career appeals to you, its important to focus on honing your interview skills. Youll also call on your problem-solving skills to resolve issues with your companys personnel. As an HR representative, you will need good decision-making skills to look at different structures for employee benefits. Management consultants research potential solutions to business issues to present answers to the clients. When you first graduate, you might get a position as a junior consultation or research assistant. There, you will support the work of the senior staff before working your way up.