Careers in Sociology
We live in a time of rapid social change - it's impossible to know what lies ahead. Fortunately, a degree in sociology gives you a broad liberal arts education that will serve as the foundation for many career paths (some of which may not even exist yet).
FHSU Sociology graduates are very marketable because of our heavy emphasis on developing the skills employers most look for - skills like critical thinking, research, interviewing, grant writing, mediation and computer application.
Many students select sociology as a major because it develops the hard and soft skills that prepare them for:
- Advanced degrees in law, education, counseling, and social research
- Entry level positions throughout the business, government, non-profit and human services areas
- Careers in research, politics, public relations, community development, non-profit management, and human resources
Students can see how the courses they take in their areas of interest can translate into a career through our Courses to Careers Guide.
Here's a sampling of careers that sociology degree holders of today are enjoying. Note that some of these, (such as Lawyer or Marriage and Family Therapist), will require an advanced degree:
Addictions Counselor
Adoption Agent
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Anthropologist
Battered Spouse Advocate
Bereavement Support Worker
Child Welfare Officer
Community Organizer
Congressional Aid
Corrections Case Worker
Crime Victim Criminologist
Director, Social Services Agency
Foster Care Worker
Gerontologist
Human Rights Worker
Juvenile Justice Caseworker
Labor Relations Specialist
Lawyer
Marriage and Family Therapist
Minority & Race Relations Worker
News Correspondent
Nonprofit Director
Peace Corps/VISTA Worker
Policy Analyst
Political Systems Researcher
Psychotherapist
Public Relations Specialist
Rape/Crisis Intervention
Recreation Therapist
Research Scientist
Secret Service Agent
Social Entrepreneur
Sociologist
Statistician
Substance Abuse Counselor
Urban/Regional Planner
Veterans Affairs Specialist
Youth Specialist Prevention Counselor
More Information About Sociology Careers
A Day in the life of a Sociologist
US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook: Sociologists
What are Sociology Graduates Doing? (PDF)
Fort Hays University Career Resources
Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center
Career Services Online Job Resources
Sociology Programs Advisors
Job Search Sites
State of Kansas Job Listings
academyhealth.org
Jobs in the Social Science Fields (Riley Guide)
Go Government
USAjobs.gov
Partnership for Public Service
CollegeGrad.com
SocialService.Com
https://addiction-counselor.org/careers-salary/
Professional Organizations
American Sociological Association
Association for Applied & Clinical Sociology
Community Development Society
Midwest Sociological Society
Population Association of America
Public Health Online
Public Sociology Association
Rural Sociological Society