Home > Sociology Department >

Career Opportunities

Sociologists investigate behavior patterns of social, political, religious and business organizations and study the ways in which such groups influence the larger society. Graduates in sociology may enter a wide range of social-service fields, including corrections, child welfare, environmental planning, geriatrics, industrial relations, employee assistance, medical social work, public welfare and urban planning. State and county agencies employ about two-thirds of all social workers. Most of the remaining third are employed by private or nonprofit agencies, schools, hospitals and medical establishments. Professional sociologists generally hold advanced degrees and frequently work directly with research-related projects involving poverty, population studies, community development and environmental-impact studies. Colleges and universities employ most professional sociologists.