Career Services

What Can I Do With A Major In...

Sociology

Skills and Abilities - What are the skills and abilities needed for careers in Sociology

Potential Career Paths - a list of possible career path and links to potential employers

For More Information - Additional links for information about careers as well as books available in the Career Services Library

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Skills and Abilities

Analytical and critical thinking and writing
Knowledge of issues of diversity, race, gender, and inequality
Presenting information effectively both orally and in writing
Presenting alternative explanations
Applying research and theory to practical problems
Planning and designing projects and programs
Working as part of a team
Identifying social/cultural relationships
Recognizing social processes
Evaluating theory, ideas, and evidence
Preparing reports
Research skills
Developing services
Representing others
Understanding components of complex problems

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Potential Career Paths

Career Area	Employment Settings	Sample Employers & Internship Sites
RESEARCH
Legislative/Social Policy	Social policy research organizations	MDRC
Market Research	Market research firms	Arbitron, Inc.
EDUCATION
Secondary Teaching	School districts	Teach For America
College/University Teaching	Colleges or universities	Any college or university, including community colleges
Service/Volunteerism	Government programs	American Foreign Service Association Americorps Peace Corps
Community Outreach	Community centers/agencies	Planned Parenthood of NYC AIDS Council of Northeastern New York
Student Services	Alumni Affairs Departments Student Life Offices Admissions Offices Career Centers	Any college or university, including community colleges
Training & Development	Companies or training firms	M&T Bank
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/LAW ENFORCEMENT
Corrections	Federal detention centers Correctional facilities Probation/parole	Federal Bureau of Prisons New York State Dept. of Corrections County Probation Department
Law Enforcement	State or city police depts. Federal agencies	New York State Police FBI
HUMAN SERVICES
Social Change	Government agencies Non-profit agencies	Americorps Peace Corps
Crisis Intervention Social Work Case Management Advocacy Program Development & Management	Community agencies Hotlines Domestic Violence Programs Runaway Shelters State agencies Advocacy groups Non-profit and United Way agencies	Middle Earth Equinox, Inc. NYS Coalition Against Sexual Assault Center for the Disabled Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council Hunger Action Network YMCA
BUSINESS
Management Customer Relations	Retail/service companies	Enterprise Rent-a-Car Macy's
Human Resources Recruiting	Corporations Staffing agencies	State Farm Insurance Snelling Personnel
Consulting	Management consulting firms Independent consulting firms	Accenture
Special Events	Hotels/conference ctrs. Entertainment facilities Radio stations	Marriott Times Union Center (Pepsi Arena) WQBK-FM
Fund-Raising	College alumni offices Development offices Professional associations	UAlbany Annual Fund
Marketing/Promotion	Non-profit agencies Corporations	American Red Cross
Insurance	Insurance agencies	Northwestern Mutual Life
Retail	Department, drug & specialty stores/companies	Lord & Taylor
Sales	Any company	WHRL-FM
LAW-GOVERNMENT-POLITICS
Politics	Staff/Legislative Offices	NYS Senate NYS Assembly
Program Development	Government agencies	NYS Division of Housing & Community Renovation
Legislation/Advocacy	Lobbying Organizations	NYPIRG
MEDIA
Advertising	Advertising agencies Corporate advertising depts.	Eric Mower & Associates CDPHP
Publishing	Magazines Newspapers Publishing houses	Delmar Publishers Metroland Magazine
Web Design	Web design firms	Spiral Design Studio
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For More Information

University at Albany Department of Sociology
American Sociological Association
Socialservice.com - "The place to find: Social Work Jobs, Social Service Jobs, Mental Health Jobs, Counseling Jobs, Psychology Jobs, Non-Profit Jobs, Case Management Jobs & More"
UAlbany Sociology Club
CDC Library Resources:
- 100 Jobs in Social Change
- Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types
- Opportunities in Social Science Careers
- Days in the Lives of Social Workers
- Great Jobs for Sociology Majors
- Social Work Career Development: A handbook for job hunting and career planning

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Contact Us
Science Library G-50	Phone: 518-437-4900
Fax: 518-437-4906	Email: career@uamail.albany.edu