Career Resources : Sociology : UMass Amherst

Pathways through the Sociology major lead to a number of meaningful entry-level positions in the fields of law, social work, human resources, research, communication, education, advocacy, and many others. It is essential that students actively engage with the sociology advising office, early and often in order to discuss courses, opportunities, and trajectories through the major.

Courses in social welfare, social work, institutions, inequality, and research methods are a good foundation for pursuing a career or graduate school in Social Work, Advocacy, and public policy.

Courses related to Criminology along with courses in research methods can help prepare a student for future work in the area of law, law enforcement, research, and advocacy.

Concentrating coursework in statistics, research methods, data analysis along with courses in a substantive area is useful preparation for careers in social science research, market research, opinion polling, and statistical analysis.

A focus on courses in social inequality and diversity, culture, institutions, and research methods is useful to students considering a job in teaching or in human resources, law and law enforcement, as well as those eager to foster social change.

All of these pathways are also an excellent step on the way to graduate programs in Law, Criminology, Social Work, Counseling, Public Policy, and, of course, Sociology.

The Sociology Department, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the University have a variety of resources available to undergraduate students and alumni to guide and support career exploration and professional development.