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A degree in Sociology provides many career opportunities. Below is a list of potential ares of employment, employers and strategies for obtaining a position. Remember however, that choosing and finding a career is a full-time job!

AREA	EMPLOYERS	STRATEGIES*
Environment & Society	Health Agencies Waste Management Firms Local Planning Agencies Environmental Advocacy Groups National Advocacy Groups Environmental Periodicals Federal Government Regional, State, & Local Agencies Consulting Firms	Take courses in Social Problems, Stratification, American Society and Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Criminology, Collective Behavior and Social Movements, Sociology of Disasters, Sociology of Science, general and urban ecology, statistics, and public speaking. Learn skills in communication networking, electronic mail, and analytical writing. Gain experience via part-time or internships and volunteer work. Attend the Federal Employment Tutorial hosted by JSU Career Services every Fall and Spring semester Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Criminal Justice Corrections Rehabilitation Law Enforcement Judiciary	Correction Institutions Court Systems Federal, State, & Local Government Law Enforcement Agencies	Take courses in Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency, Drugs and Society, Social Problems, Deviant Behavior Race and Ethnicity, and Theories of Gender Gain essential practical experience via part-time, internships, & volunteer work. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Emphasize research methods, statistics and computer skills. Attend JSU CJ Career Fair held the 1st Wednesday of each March, hosted by JSU Career Services and Criminal Justice Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Demography	Companies & Organizations doing demographic forecasting and population studies. Companies compiling market research data. Consulting firms Business & Industry International, Federal & State Agencies Government & Regional Planning Departments Colleges & Universities Foundations Advertising & Marketing Firms Private Research Firms	Take courses in Social Movements, Race and Ethnicity, Social Problems, and advanced courses in research methods, statistics, Computer and Data Analysis and computer applications. Develop good communication skills. Gain essential practical experience via part-time, internships and volunteer work. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Attend the Federal Employment Tutorial hosted by JSU Career Services every Fall and Spring Semester Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Human Services Counseling Advocacy Mental Health Services Social Services-- -Administration -Programming -Recreation	Advocacy Groups Federal, State, & Local Government United Way Agencies/Local Branches of National Non-Profit Organizations Religiously-Affiliated Service Organizations Adoption & Child Care Agencies Public & Private Nursing Homes Hospitals	Take courses in Stratification, Race and Ethnicity, Gender, Social Psychology, American Society and Culture and Public Speaking. Concentrate course work in area of interest. Pursue excellent academic record. Emphasize research methods, statistics and computer skills. Obtain counseling courses and experience for counseling and case worker positions. Acquire related experience. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Attend the Federal Employment Tutorial hosted by JSU Career Services every Fall and Spring semester. Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Business Demography/Planning Human Resources Management Sales Advertising Marketing Consumer Research Insurance Real Estate Personnel/Training Administration	Research Departments/Firms Personnel/Industrial Relations Departments Marketing/Management Firms Organizational Planning Departments/Firms International Business Manufacturing Firms Advertising Firms Consumer Research/Public Relations Firms Insurance/Real Estate Companies Publishing Firms Consulting Firms	Take courses in Stratification, Theories of Gender, American Society and Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Social Psychology, labor relations, sociology of work, personnel management, public speaking, and writing. Focus on an occupational area: personnel, industrial relations, management, marketing, or public relations. Gain related experience. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail Stress work experience, social skills, public speaking, writing skills, statistics & research training when interviewing. View the list of organizations attending the JSU Business Career Fair View insurance jobs that alumni have posted in JLink Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Education Teaching Administration Alumni Relations Placement Offices Research	Public & Private Schools Colleges & Universities	Take courses in sociology of education, social psychology, Social Problems, Race and Ethnicity, Juvenile Delinquency, Theories of Gender and developmental psychology. Volunteer as a tutor. Obtain certification/licensing to teach grades K-12. Secure strong personal recommendations. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Attend the Education Fair hosted by JSU Career Services every Spring Semester. Obtain Ph.D. to teach and for advanced research positions in colleges and universities.

Social Science Research -Market Research Analysis -Evaluation Research	Federal Government National Headquarters of Non-Profit Organizations Firms conducting social, market, or statistical research Public Relations Firms Professional Periodicals Newspapers & Magazines Social Service Agencies Hospitals Labor Unions Professional Sociologists Universities Religious Organizations Public Opinion Research Polls	Take courses in Stratification, Race and Ethnicity, Theories of Gender, Computer and Data Analysis, and advanced courses in research methods, data analysis and statistics. Learn federal government job application process Develop strong quantitative, statistical, writing, informa-tional gathering, and assimilating skills. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Acquire related experience. Obtain graduate degree for advancement and specialized areas.

Community Relations	Federal, State, & Local Government National headquarters & local branches of non-profit organizations Private Social Service Organizations Religiously Affiliated Service Organizations Child Care Agencies	Take courses in Stratification, Race and Ethnicity, American Society and Culture, Theories of Gender, Social Problems, social psychology, Sociology of Family, Juvenile Delinquency, Criminology and public speaking. Learn federal, state and local government job application process. Obtain experience in counseling, advocacy or administration. Acquire knowledge of community problems and government resources. Gain volunteer experience. Attend the Federal Employment Tutorial hosted by JSU Career Services every Fall and Spring Semester Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Obtain graduate degree for advancement.

Government Social Science Analysis Social Statistics Demography Administration Management Program Development Policy Analysis Personnel Research Investigation	Public Assistance Agencies Federal, State, Local, & County Government	Take courses in Criminology, Drugs and Society, Juvenile Delinquency, Social Problems, Social Movements, Deviant Behavior, Computer and Data Analysis as well as advanced courses in statistics and data analysis Learn federal, state and local government job application process. Learn skills in communication networking and electronic mail. Obtain experience in research and evaluation. Acquire skills in survey and evaluation research, add specialties in such fields as medical/health sociology, aging, criminal justice, demography, and family. Gain experience via co-op programs and volunteer work. Attend the Federal Employment Tutorial hosted by JSU Career Services every Fall and Spring semester. Obtain graduate degree for advancement.
		*In addition to the courses listed Sociological Theory and Methods give the general skills necessary for all fields.

This list was originally prepared by the Career Planning staff, Career Services at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1994) and revised by the USI Department of Sociology. It has been updated and altered by Jacksonville State University Sociology Program to better fit the needs of JSU sociology students (10/03/12).

Career Services through Jacksonville State University provides information on current career opportunities locally, in the region and worldwide.

For information on possible careers with a major in Sociology see the American Sociological Association website.

Here is information on where sociology majors are employed, annual salaries, and career outlook: Career Thoughts

In addition to employment, also look for internships. Internships can provide experience and connections. Over 60% of students that do internships are hired by the employer they intern with. JSU and the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce have invested in a partnership with internships.com. This lists JSU as the primary school and a list of internships available to JSU students will be available in addition to internships worldwide, with recognizable names like MTV.

Although networking is the best place to begin a career, you will need a solid resume. The Resume' Builder shows you how to create a resume that will provide a better opportunity to gain the career of your choice. The Resume Builder Or, schedule an appointment with a Career Counselor in JSU Career Services at 256-782-5482.

DC Job Source The Washington D.C. Job Source provides information on Federal Government careers around the United States and the world.

Monster.com another source for careers.

State Government Jobs provides information on State Government careers throughout the United States.

Government Jobs provides information on local, county, and state Government careers.

Yahoo Careers provides a wide range of career opportunities and information.

College Grad provides information on diverse career opportunities and additional information.

Social Service Jobs provides information on social service careers throughout the United States.

Human Service Careers provides information on a variety of human and social services careers throughout the United States.

Idealist Careers Action Without Borders provides information on a variety of issues where career opportunities and activism converge.

Institute for Women's Policy Research provides a variety of information for professional women and researchers to understand the dynamics of the workforce for women.

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides information on careers and other issues surrounding domestic violence.

Social Work Job Bank provides a variety of information regarding career opportunities in the social services.

Police Employment provides information on Federal, State, and City police officer openings, as well as Deputy Sheriff and other law enforcement career opportunities.

SalaryList.Com Salaries are always important in your career plans. This link will assist you in understanding the pay scales.

Salary Calculator Enables you to perform a salary data search for the occupation and region in which you are seeking employment

Students that plan to continue their education in graduate or professional school can benefit from a Sociology major. Professional programs such as Law, Business and Management, and the Ministry recognize the value of an education in Sociology. Finally, graduate students in Sociology can find employment in applied positions such as government service, market research and data analysis, as well as the more traditional position of university professor.

For information on where sociology majors are employed, annual salaries, and career outlooks, check out: Career Thoughts

To become registered with Career Services at JSU, create an account in Jlink

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