Sections
In this section
Sociology

1282 Social Sciences & Humanities
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

(530) 752-0782 phone
(530) 752-0783 fax

 
Personal tools

Career Options

Many students choose to study Sociology or Sociology-Organizational Studies because they see this broad liberal arts course of study as preparation for many professions.  A degree in Sociology or Sociology—Organizational Studies can be useful in many varied facets of the job market.  Its applicability is vast.  Opportunities for students majoring in Sociology can derive from all emphases areas, but most especially the experience our world-renown faculty bring into the classroom adds a developmental/world view that may lead students to seek positions in the international job market. 

Given the breadth, adaptability, and utility of studying Sociology, employment opportunities abound for A. B. graduates.  The following list of possibilities is only illustrative – many other paths may be open to you.  Employment sectors include:

Community & Service Professions

Law, law enforcement & corrections:

  • Criminal justice
  • Investigations
  • Police officer
  • Probation officer
  • Rehabilitation officer
  • Parole
  • Law school
  • Attorney
  • Paralegal
  • Judicial affairs
  • Community program specialist
  • Dispatcher
  • Special programs officer
  • Activist
Health Services:

  • Family planning
  • Substance abuse
  • Rehabilitation counselling
  • Health planning
  • Hospital admissions
  • Case management
  • Insurance companies
  • Social service organizations
  • Social work
  • Counselling
  • Schools for autistic/mentally challenged
    children
  • Battered women’s shelters
  • Suicide prevention
  • Group work with children/youth/elderly
Urban Planning:

  • City planner’s office
  • Rural planner
  • Consultant for urban planning
  • Recreation
  • Administration
  • Community development
  • Environmental groups

















       

Business/Management

  • Advertising
  • Marketing
  • Publishing
  • Journalism
  • Editing
  • Public relations
  • Consumer research
  • Programming
  • Administration
  • Banking
  • Media (radio/television)
  • Political organizations
  • Human resources management
  • Corporate training and development
  • Hotel and restaurant
  • Insurance
  • Real estate
  • Personnel
  • Training and sales

Education

College/University:
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • Alumni relations
  • Placement offices
Research:
  • Corporations
  • Consulting firms
  • Health organizations
  • Insurance companies
  • Government agencies
  • Universities and colleges
  • Writing
Teaching:

  • Elementary
  • Secondary

Government Services

  • Local
  • State
  • Federal
  • Non-profit agencies
  • International business
  • FBI/CIA/NSA
  • Homeland Security








Adapted from Careers in Sociology, a publication of the American Sociological Association.