Various resources can help you identify the kinds of work that are available for Sociologists. The benefit (as well as the curse) of the degree in Sociology is that it prepares you for nearly anything. The key for graduates is to apply the skills and knowledge that they have learned. As students begin thinking about careers, or if they simply want to explore further, they are encouraged to speak with their advisor or to any other of the Sociology faculty. Additionally, they can explore the links on this page.
Skills that can be Developed by the Sociology Degree
- Writing Skills.
- Critical Thinking Skills.
- Identification of the dynamics/complexity of change
- Conceptualize problems
- Development of research strategies
- Investigative skills (e.g., survey construction, participant observations, content analysis)
- Analytical skills (e.g., statistics, unitization).
- Problem Solving
- Computer skills (e.g., SPSS, word processing).
- Focus on behavior in groups (e.g., formal organizations, families, communities) and the impact of diversity in groups.
- Understanding of how people function as/in groups (e.g., team dynamics, leadership)
- Recognizing impact of context in which decisions are made (e.g., political, social, economic).
WI Social Work Certification for Non-Social Work (No BSW) BA/BS Students
Many students who are majoring in social sciences such as sociology and psychology are interested in working in the human services/social services field. There are many opportunities for jobs in human services/social services that do not require the job applicant to be social work certified. However, there are also jobs that require social worker certification. Individuals without the BSW or MSW must become state certified in order to take jobs that state that the individual must have social work certification. The state of Wisconsin has a website that presents detailed information on certification for non-social work degree graduates. If you have questions regarding the process, you should always check with the state department of regulation and licensing to assure that you are following the appropriate steps toward licensure.
Below are some of the state of Wisconsin Social Work License Certification webpages, the links can be confusing, so you will want to print all related documents, particularly these:
http://drl.wi.gov/prof/socw/def.htm
http://drl.wi.gov/prof/soct/form.htm
http://drl.wi.gov/dept/forms/fm2272.pdf
http://drl.wi.gov/dept/forms/fm2436.pdf
http://drl.wi.gov/prof/soct/cred.htm
http://drl.wi.gov/dept/forms/insert/hp/SWTrainCertAppNonBSWCourses.pdf
For a detailed overview of the process, please see the following document: WI Social Work Certification Information
Results of the 2001 Alumni Survey
The 2001 Sociology Alumni Survey (conducted and explored by Erin Behlen (graduated May, 2001) and Dr. Robert Bilby (Professor Emeritus) attempted to contact approximately 800 UW-L graduates who majored in Sociology. Two hundred and twenty alumni (graduating between the years 1965 and 2000) responded to the survey. The median age of those who responded was 34, 67% were female, and 85% resided in the Midwest (most in Wisconsin).
As we know, sociology majors tend to enter into a diverse number of fields. According to the survey:
Field |
Percentage |
| Medicine/Health | 5.4 |
| Educaton | 12.3 |
| Social Welfare/Social Work | 17.7 |
| Executive/Administration/Management | 25.6 |
| Clerical/Administration Support | 4.9 |
| Sales/Marketing | 7.4 |
| Service/Restraunt/Lodging | 1.5 |
| Skilled Trade/Labor | 3 |
| Police/Law Enforcement | 9.4 |
| Other | 12.8 |
Additionally:
| Income Category | Percentage |
| $5,000- $9,999 | 1.4 |
| $10,000-$14,999 | 4.5 |
| $15,000-19,999 | 7.7 |
| $20,000-24,999 | 8.6 |
| $25,000-29,999 | 9.5 |
| $30,000-34,999 | 14.5 |
| $35,000-39,999 | 11.4 |
| $40,000-44,999 | 9.5 |
| over $45,000 | 24.5 |
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