Career Information for Sociology Majors

It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some specific knowledge and transferable skills you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on Sociology.

Specific Knowledge Skills
Valuable Transferable Skills
Some Career Options for Sociology Majors

Potential Employers
Websites
 

Specific Knowledge Skills

  • An understanding of human behaviour, communication and interaction from a social perspective
  • Awareness of social or community behaviour and expectations and related public policy
  • Awareness of current social, community and ethical issues and relevant policy
  • Knowledge of behavioural components of sociological theory and the skills to apply this knowledge
  • Understanding of the interrelationships of various social, cultural and community groups
  • Ability to conduct, explain and interpret sociological and information research clearly and to apply this information to changing situations
  • Knowledge of various governmental, community and social institutions and their roles, and an ability to provide information and direction to assist in making informed decisions
  • Sensitivity to and understanding of social problems and the human condition

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Valuable Transferable Skills

Information-gathering and Communication Skills

  • The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
  • The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
  • Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
  • The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology

Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills

  • The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations
  • The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
  • Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
  • Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals

Teamwork and Management Skills

  • Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team
  • An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project
  • The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks

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Some Career Options for Sociology Majors

Social Policy Researcher
Public Information Officer
Policy Analyst
Urban Planner
Community Relations Specialist
Public Relations Officer
Probation Officer
Market Research Analyst
Case Manager 
Public Affairs Specialist
Journalist/Reporter/Critic
Career/Employer Counsellor
Market Research Analyst
Social Worker
Job Analyst
Media Buyer
Program Co-ordinator/Manager
Project Co-ordinator
Child/Youth Worker
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Gerontologist
Social Statistician
Labour Relations Mediator
Public Administrator
Human Resources
Lawyer
Quality Control Specialist
Mediator/Labour Relations
Retail Sales Supervisor/Manager
Office Administrator
Law Enforcement
Event Planner
Corporate Trainer
Demographer
Activist/Lobbyist
Teacher/Professor
Addicitions Counsellor
Sociologist
Management Trainee
Criminologist
Healthcare Administrator
Diversity Consultant
Marriage and Family Therapist
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Disability Services Worker
Fundraiser
Community Worker
Legislative/Parliamentary Assistant
Admissions Officer
Student Life Co-ordinator
Real Estate Appraiser/Agent
Advertising Copywriter
Media Analyst/Researcher
Victims Advocate
Community Development Co-ordinator
Recreation Planner/Co-ordinator
Recreation Planner/Co-ordinator

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Potential Employers

 

Non-Profit Organizations

Social Services Agencies

Human Resource Departments

Government

Chambers of Commerce

Public Relations Firms

Community Agencies

Marketing Firms

Media Organizations

Labour Unions

Political Parties

Real Estate Firms

Law Enforcement

Educational Institutions

Hospitality Industry

 

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Websites

Social Science & Humanities Research Council of Canada

Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology

Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Canadian Council on Social Development

Human Resources Professional Association

Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association

Aboriginal Canada Portal

Canada Council for the Arts

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

International Sociological Association

International Development Research Centre

American Sociological Association

Access to Justice Network

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