Sociology Careers
Goshen College Alumni
A sampling of current positions held by GC sociology alumni:
- Voluntary Service Worker
- Research Assistant
- Editor
- Planning Manager
- Professor of Sociology
- Social Worker
- Director of Cross-Cultural Programs
- Church/Community Volunteer
- Senior Ethnographer
- Financial Analyst
- Domestic Violence Counselor
- Patient Care Advocate
- Teacher
- Store Manager
- Attorney
Overview
The American Sociological Association defines sociology as:
- the study of society
- a social science involving the study of the social lives of people, groups, and societies
- the study of our behavior as social beings, covering everything from the analysis of short contacts between anonymous individuals on the street to the study of global social processes
- the scientific study of social aggregations, the entities through which humans move throughout their lives
- an overarching unification of all studies of humankind, including history, psychology, and economics
About the coursework
The sociology major provides a knowledge base and skill in social analysis with a variety of practical applications. Sociology and courses in related disciplines such as anthropology, economics, history, political science, or psychology will make up about one-third of the credit hours required for your bachelor’s degree.
Potential courses include:
- Sociology of the Family
- Religion in Culture and Society
- Social Theory
- Human Origins/Human Nature
- Race, Class, & Ethnic Relations
- Methods of Social Research
- Intro to Women’s Studies
- Human Sexuality
Many sociology majors choose to have another major or a minor in addition to the sociology major. Some choose to do this because it will better prepare them for job, service, or graduate school opportunities, while others include additional study simply because they are interested in another area. The additional coursework is often in the field of business, foreign language, history, TESOL, peace & justice, women’s studies, or international studies.
For a full list of requirements and courses, refer to the course catalog.
GC also offers teacher certification in social studies. See the education department’s web site for additional information.
Possible career paths
Past graduates in sociology have entered positions in high school teaching, foreign and domestic community development, and professional and voluntary social services.
The majority of graduates have gone on to attend graduate school or seminary and are presently employed in Christian ministry, college teaching, community development, law and business, personnel management, public administration, public policy and program evaluation, research, social services, and urban planning.
The list below provides several career options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
- Advocacy Agency Administrator
- Career Counselor
- Child Welfare Worker
- Church Agency Administrator
- College Professor
- Community Organizer
- Community Service Agency Worker
- Consumer Advocate
- Criminologist
- Data Analyst
- Environmental Equality Advocate
- Ethnographer
- Family Life Educator
- Gender Equality Advocate
- Government Service Administrator
- Guidance Counselor
- High School Teacher
- Human Resource Specialist
- Human Rights Advocate
- International Development Worker
- International Relations Specialist
- Labor Relations Representative
- Lawyer
- Market Research Analyst
- Mental Health Worker
- Minority Relations specialist
- Parole/Probation officer
- Patient Advocate
- Population Studies Researcher
- Public Health Educator
- Public Policy Analyst
- Public Relations Specialist
- Researcher/Research Assistant
- Social Worker
- Sociologist
- Technical Writer
- Urban/Regional Planner
- Volunteer
- Women’s Services Worker
- Youth Services Worker
Additional resources
- Careers in Anthropology from the American Anthropological Association
- From the Occupational Outlook Handbook: