Degrees and Careers

• What can I do with a degree in sociology?
• Getting a degree in sociology
• Graduate study in sociology

What can I do with a degree in sociology?

A quick review of your sociology textbook will illustrate how the study of sociology touches a wide variety of occupations: politics, social work, advertising and mass media, creative and non-fiction writing, family support services, recreational services, and numerous areas of business. The question is not what you can do with a degree in sociology, but what can't you do.

It's important to remember that a degree in the liberal arts is particularly helpful for developing the “soft skills” that employers demand. Despite the rising importance of technology in the workplace, employers continue to emphasize the importance of creative and critical thinking--skills developed within liberal arts programs. Technological skills are quickly obsolete in today's environment. Employers require people who can adapt quickly, learn new skills, provide thoughtful analyses, and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. A degree in sociology addresses these needs well.

To learn more about how sociology can be applied professionally, explore the following sites:

Career Development Manual Takes you through the steps necessary to start a new career

Identify Your Personality Type

A set of high quality articles addressing the changing nature of work in Canada

Extensive site that assists you in assessing your skills and how to apply them to the workforce

The Sociology Department at Clemson University in the US has an entire book, Careers in Sociology, available online.

University's job page with links to career counselling and job search resources

Resources Development Canada's (HRDC) job bank?

Try searching for jobs that may be of interest to you. For sociology- related careers, try search terms such as "Analyst" "Researchers" or "Social Policy."

Information on careers for people with a degree in sociology can be found at http://www.caps.mcgill.ca/tools/degree/sociology.php

Getting a degree in sociology

Most Canadian universities offer degrees in sociology. When choosing a school, keep in mind that not all programs in sociology are the same. In particular, you will find that some sociology departments emphasize empirical research--using statistics and fieldwork. Others are more critical--emphasizing theoretical and political issues. To earn your B.A. in sociology you will need to develop sound writing skills, learn to ask intelligent and useful sociological questions, and pay attention to current events.

To learn more about your options for obtaining a degree in sociology, visit some of the following sites:

Information on the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Fund

Information on the Canada Student Loans Program

Association of Canadian Colleges and Universities Home Page

CanLearn Interactive An excellent site to help you plan your education

This commercial site provides a great deal of information about graduate programs in Canada and the United States.

Graduate Study in Sociology

Many Canadian Masters and Doctoral programs exist in sociology. At the graduate level, your choice of universities becomes more important. Departments vary by admission standards, research focus, and reputation. Focus your application efforts on those programs that most closely mirror your own research interests.

Call the department directors or chairs and discuss this matter directly with them.

Most Masters (MA) programs in Canada require between 1 to 2 years of coursework and a thesis or research paper. Doctoral programs typically require 2 years of coursework, a comprehensive exam, and a thesis (dissertation). If you are considering studying abroad, these requirements may differ considerably.

For more information about graduate programs in sociology, in Canada and elsewhere, visit the following sites:

A list of links to all Canadian Colleges and Universities

A directory of Sociological Associations (International)

Find out more about what sociologists do both inside and outside colleges and universities by visiting some scholarly societies via the Web.

For more information about advanced degrees, use the Web to visit sociology departments around the United States and the world. One good directory is kept at Princeton. Use the A to Z index to navigate to the Sociology department at Princeton.

This commercial site provides a great deal of information about graduate programs in Canada and the United States.