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Career Opportunities for Majors in Sociology

Introduction

Sociology is the study of social life and focuses on the interaction between human groups and institutions and their influences on each other. Sociology ranges from the study of relationships in family units in the most primitive cultures to the research of large bureaucratic institutions in major industrialized nations. Among the specialties within sociology are criminology, demography, cultural traditions, family relations, gerontology, social welfare, race relations, social status, and social change.

Sociology majors find jobs in social service agencies, Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, educational institutions, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and correctional institutions. They also find jobs in business and industry in market research, public relations, customer service, management, advertising, human resources, and sales.

While many sociology graduates work in a related occupation and obtain an advanced degree, others choose another direction. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and involvement in college activities.
 


A Sample of Related Occupations

Admissions CounselorHuman Resources Admin.Psychologist
Advertising ManagerLabor Relations SpecialistPublic Relations Manager
Career CounselorMarket Research AnalystRehabilitation Counselor
Child Welfare WorkerMarriage CounselorSales Representative
Comm. Serv. Agency Dir.Mental Health WorkerSocial Worker
Customer Service DirectorNursing Home AdministratorSociologist
GerontologistPersonnel ManagerSpeech Pathologist
Guidance CounselorProbation/Parole OfficerSubstance Abuse Counselor
Hospital AdministratorPsychiatristYouth Counselor


Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Adoption and Child Care AgenciesLabor UnionsRadio and TV Stations
Advertising AgenciesManagement Consulting FirmsReal Estate Agencies
BanksMarket Research FirmsReligious Organizations
Correctional InstitutionsMental Health InstitutionsResort Hotels
Educational InstitutionsNewspapers, MagazinesRetail Stores
Financial Service CompaniesPersonnel AgenciesSocial Service Agencies
Hospitals Publishing Companies Substance Abuse Clinics

Government Agencies
Civil Rights CommissionFederal Bureau of PrisonsLabor Department
Consumer Affairs OfficeFederal Communications CommissionNational Science Foundation
County Probation DepartmentForeign ServicePeace Corps/VISTA 
Division of Youth & Family Services Health and Human Services Veterans Administration


Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates 
Accountant, First Fidelity BankLead Telemarketer, NJ Blood Services
Administrative Assistant, World Health Comm.Mutual Funds Processing Agent, Merrill Lynch
Bank Teller, United Jersey BankPersonnel Administrator, Johnson & Johnson
Child Care Worker, Catholic CharitiesPublic Affairs/Media Research Associate, Opworld
Coordinator of Social Services, United Auto WorkersRecruitment Specialist, Spencer Gifts, Inc.
Customer Service Manager, Empire Blue Cross/Blue ShieldRetail Manager, Battleview Orchard, Inc.
Department Investigator, Middlesex Cty. ProbationSales Representative, MetLife Insurance
Director of Welfare, Mt. Olive TownshipSales Representative, New Jersey Bell
Group Teacher, Douglass Psych. Child StudySubstance Counselor, Rutgers University
Human Resources Coordinator, Easter Seals of New JerseyTeacher, Helping Hands School
Income Maintenance Tech., Union Cty. Human ServicesWebmaster/Reporter, Otsuka Oiaa Co., Ltd.
Juror Clerk, DC Superior Court  

Jobs of Experienced Alumni 
Assistant Chief of Staff, Office of NJ Governor (MS Planning & Policy)Manager, Human Resources, American Express (MS Human Resources)
Assistant Director Foster Care/Adoption, Lutheran Community Services (MSW)Marketing Manager, AT&T Network Systems (MBA)
Associate, J.P. MorganMarketing Research Executive, Pfizer Inc.
Director of Activities, Morris Hills Multicare CenterNews Reporter, CBS Inc.
Director of Development, St. Mary's ChurchPricing Analyst/Conference Rep., Maersk (MA Org. Comm. & Pub. Admin.)
Director of Psychological Services, Dept. of Corrections (PsyD Clinical Psych.)Psychiatric Social Worker, Child Guidance Clinic (MSW)
Hearing Officer, Family Court of PhiladelphiaSenior Consultant, Peat Marwick (MS Applied Psych.)
Human Factors Scientist, IBM (MS Psych.)Special Agent, FBI
Internal Revenue Agent, IRS (MA Psych.) Sr. Research Analyst, Prudential (MA Appl. Res. Meth.)
Librarian, Middlesex County College (MLS) 


Graduate Schools Attended

American University, JD, LawRutgers University, MLS, Library Science
Argosy University, MS, Forensic SciencesRutgers University, MPA, Public Administration
Boston University, MA, Public HealthRutgers University, PhD, Sociology
Fordham University, MSW, Social WorkSUNY Oswego, MA, Guidance & Counseling
John Jay College of Criminal Justice, MA, Criminal JusticeUniversity of Georgia, M.Ed, Education/Counseling & Guidance
NJ Dental School, DDS, DentistryUniversity of Maryland, MA, IT Management
Rutgers University, M.Ed, Elementary EducationUniversity of Minnesota, PhD, Psychology
Rutgers University, MA, Labor & Employment RelationsUniversity of Pennsylvania, PhD, Sociology
Rutgers University, MA, SociologyWilmington College, M.Ed, Educational Admin.
Rutgers University, MBA, Marketing 


Additionally, you may:
 


 

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Employer questions? Contact recruiting@echo.rutgers.edu

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