Career Choices for Sociology Majors
While studying statistics in graduate school, one of my Professors shared with the class a story demonstrating the importance of understanding the standard deviation of a data set. It seems that a university (which will remain nameless) posted the average salaries of its sociology graduates as a six-digit figure. This, of course, led to a lot of students claiming sociology as their major as they were falsely led to believe that sociologists earn an average six-digit salary. Of course, if these students were to have asked for, and understand, the standard deviation associated with the mean salary, they would have seen a very large standard deviation, as one of the students in the data set who graduated with a BA in sociology is currently an All-Pro member of the National Football League. This single salary amongst the other sociology salaries inflated the mean salary quite a bit. Most sociologists are not rich, by any means. It is a career that is relatively high in status without the corresponding high salary.
So, then, what motivates people to become sociologists? For the most part, if society and all of the structures, groups, and interactions that are a part of society fascinate you, then sociology is for you. Let no one mislead you, however, you will not, in most cases, become a millionaire as a sociologist. Students and non-students ask me all the time, "what can a person do with a sociology degree?" My answer is usually something along the lines of, "whatever a person chooses to do with a sociology degree, it can usually be accomplished."
For most, teaching and/or research is the ultimate destiny of the sociologist, however, these destinies require a graduate degree (Masters degree or PhD). There are, of course, other options for the sociology major who does not want to pursue a graduate degree. Holding a BA or BS in sociology can open the door to many other careers such as, research consulting, human resources, case worker or manager, Admissions Counselor, Guidance Counselor, Police Officer, Statistician, or most any community-related career.
For further details on career choices for the sociology major, check out the links on this page or feel free to e-mail me with questions. Study hard, prepare well, and goodluck in whatever career you choose!
