What can I do with a Sociology Major?
What career-relevant skills do sociology majors develop?
The skills learned through the sociology curriculum are those that employers consistently list as most desirable among new recruits.
What opportunities do sociology majors pursue after graduation?
A sociology degree helps graduates successfully enter the labor market and prepares those who are interested in advanced degrees for graduate school.
Career Preparation Courses
Soc 496 Career and Professional Development for Social Science majors.
Inter LS 210 Career Development Course in the College of Letters & Sciences.
Talk to Trained Advisors about your Future Career
- Meet the Sociology department’s career advisor
All scheduled advising appointments are 30 minutes. - Meet the College of Letters & Science’s career advisors
Schedule a 30-minute appointment for career & internship advising at SuccessWorks (3rd floor University Book Store), or at a number of satellite locations across campus.
Career Options for Sociology Majors
A sociology degree serves as an excellent springboard for careers in many diverse areas, including business, law, government, education, research, and mission-driven non-profit organizations.
Graduate Studies
Many sociology majors (about half) pursue advanced degrees, directly after undergraduate school or after working for a while.
Get Help Finding a Job
SuccessWorks is the L&S Professional and Personal Career Development Center. It includes advice about choosing and planning for careers, resources for findings internships, and information about networking events.
Handshake is UW-Madison’s primary tool to connect students with employers, job and internship opportunities, and career events and resources.
Careers of UW-Madison Sociology Alums
UW-Madison students who graduate with Sociology majors pursue a variety of interesting and rewarding career paths. Read more about some of the careers of our alumni here.
Equity, Inclusion and Employee Well-Being
Visit the Office of Human Resources’ Equity, Inclusion and Employee Well-Being website to find numerous resources, daily events, and communities to connect with on- and off-campus.
“Equity, diversity, inclusion and well-being are fundamental to the employee experience at UW–Madison. It is imperative to recognize the inextricable link between equity, diversity and inclusion with employee well-being. Employees whose emotional, mental, physical or social well-being prevent them from authentically and successfully engaging in their work may be unable to grow and thrive on campus, and may be more likely to leave the institution. This is particularly true for marginalized and/or underrepresented employees on campus.
To achieve equity and employee well-being, we must work to center the humanity of our employees through holistic, whole-person and whole-body approaches to create and sustain equitable and healthy work policies, environments and practices for employees.”