Furman Sociology

People who have a Bachelor's degree in sociology are frequently employed in the helping professions, in business, and in various public sector positions, especially those dealing with social programs and their implementation. Usually, they are not employed in jobs with the title "sociologist," since that title requires graduate training.

Employment opportunities for those with Bachelor's degrees in sociology include entry-level positions in the following areas: administration, advertising, banking, counseling (family planning, career, substance abuse, and so forth), community planning, health services, journalism, group and recreation work, marketing research, sales, teaching (if certified), human resources/personnel work, social services, and social research.

Design your resume with the help the Furman Office of Career Service. Emphasize skills you gained from sociology courses, such as computer daya processing, quantitative skills, understanding social problems from a broad perspective, thinking analytically, understanding research design, and using social concepts. Then send copies of your resume to agencies that interest you.

Examine as many sources as possible for jobs. Begin with the career booklets in your college library or the Office of Career Service. Then consult personnel offices of business corporations, hospitals, state employment agencies, reference libraries that have career materials, social service agencies, local and state job information centers. research institutes, and local newspapers.

As you identify particular agencies and organizations that interest you, find out everything you can about them. Contact the person actually responsible for hiring, and discuss general employment requirements. Bring a resume to both informal and formal itnerviews.

Furman Sociology
Home Philosophy and Goals Faculty Students Courses The Major Advising FAQ Requirements The Research Sequence Research and Internships Library Resources Research Opportunities Furman Advantage Internship Opportunities Presentation Opportunities SOC 503 - The Internship Class IRB Awards and Honors Johnson-Webb Award James Dan Cover Award AKD Honor Society Careers / Graduate School Facilities	Opportunities in Sociology What can I do with a Sociology degree? Office of Career Services Job Search Databases Social Work Opportunities Graduate School Request for Recommendation (PDF) What can I do with a Sociology Degree? People who have a Bachelor's degree in sociology are frequently employed in the helping professions, in business, and in various public sector positions, especially those dealing with social programs and their implementation. Usually, they are not employed in jobs with the title "sociologist," since that title requires graduate training. Employment opportunities for those with Bachelor's degrees in sociology include entry-level positions in the following areas: administration, advertising, banking, counseling (family planning, career, substance abuse, and so forth), community planning, health services, journalism, group and recreation work, marketing research, sales, teaching (if certified), human resources/personnel work, social services, and social research. Design your resume with the help the Furman Office of Career Service. Emphasize skills you gained from sociology courses, such as computer daya processing, quantitative skills, understanding social problems from a broad perspective, thinking analytically, understanding research design, and using social concepts. Then send copies of your resume to agencies that interest you. Examine as many sources as possible for jobs. Begin with the career booklets in your college library or the Office of Career Service. Then consult personnel offices of business corporations, hospitals, state employment agencies, reference libraries that have career materials, social service agencies, local and state job information centers. research institutes, and local newspapers. As you identify particular agencies and organizations that interest you, find out everything you can about them. Contact the person actually responsible for hiring, and discuss general employment requirements. Bring a resume to both informal and formal itnerviews. The preceeding advice is provided in the American Sociological Association's pamphlet A Guide For Students. In addition to this pamphlet I would recommend to you: Embarking upon a Career with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and Careers in Sociology They have available to students many additional career-related pamphlets and you are encouraged to obtain them from the ASA. For these pamphlets and other information about opportunities in sociology, send for the ASA's catalog of materials by calling ((202) 833-3410 e-mail ASA_Academic_Professional_Affairs@MCIMAIL.COM) or writing: American Sociological Association 1722 N Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 Helpful Links from the American Sociological Association: A National Survey of Seniors Majoring in Sociology What Can I do with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology? Data Brief on Current Jobs Graduate School Choices of Sociology Majors For another point of view, go to SAVE SOCIOLOGY If you are just starting your major in sociology let me suggest Careers in Sociology a small (102 pages) text by W. Richard Stephens. He provides answers to specific career questions and provides profiles of 19 different career paths open to sociologists. Return to top of page Office of Career Services The Office of Career Services can be one of the most important resources available to the sociology major looking for a job. The office offers you the opportunity to assess your career goals by taking an interest inventory and personality indicator. These two inventories can be obtained by making an appointment with a counselor in the office. A second appointment will be necessary to interpret the results. The office offers a comprehensive program to assist you with a wide variety of career-related concerns. You are encouraged to take advantage of the services. It is located at: OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES: Furman Hall Furman University Greenville, SC 29613 VOICE: (864) 294-2106 FAX: (864) 294-3123 Appointments are required. All services are free of cost to Furman students. Their services include, but are not limited to: vocational assessment inventories, SIGI Plus, Experiential programs, shadow days, CareerLink, career library, placement files, mock interview programs, seminars, on campus recruiting, special events (e.g., Majors Fair, Career Day), and alumni placement services. Return to top of page On-Line Career Services In addition to the career services offices you may find these web sites to be useful in your career plans: Employment Resources and References • DHEC Department of Health and Environmental Control: Job listings for South Carolina •Job Search and Employment Opportunities: Best Bets from the Net Job openings and career development information. It includes a description and evaluation of each resource. Maintained at the University of Michigan. • Student Center career help for college graduates • Catapult Began as William & Mary's Career Service job listings Return to top of page Job Search Databases • America's Job Bank Run by the U.S. Employment Service, networks 1,800 Employment Service offices. • The Riley Guide Employment by Margaret F. Riley, Coordinator of Networked Resources, Gordon Library, Worchester Poilytechnic Institute. • CareerPath Search Newspaper employment ads from six major cities • careerWEB They even offer you a career fitness test • The Internet's Online Career Center A non-profit employer association. Post your own HTML resume. • Peterson's Education Center Provides information about educational employment opportunities at all academic levels • Helpwanted.Com Searchable index of openings compiled from companies that have paid to be listed. • Job Track On line job listings service, company profiles, and job search tips. Combined Reference and Job Search Databases • Career Resources Homepage Site contains links to various career related resources • Career Mosaic Data base of both employment openings and applicant resumes Return to top of page

The preceeding advice is provided in the American Sociological Association's pamphlet A Guide For Students. In addition to this pamphlet I would recommend to you: Embarking upon a Career with an Undergraduate Degree in Sociology and Careers in Sociology They have available to students many additional career-related pamphlets and you are encouraged to obtain them from the ASA.

For these pamphlets and other information about opportunities in sociology, send for the ASA's catalog of materials by calling ((202) 833-3410 e-mail ASA_Academic_Professional_Affairs@MCIMAIL.COM) or writing:

American Sociological Association
1722 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036

Helpful Links from the American Sociological Association:

A National Survey of Seniors Majoring in Sociology

What Can I do with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology?

Data Brief on Current Jobs

Graduate School Choices of Sociology Majors

For another point of view, go to SAVE SOCIOLOGY

Furman Hall Furman University Greenville, SC 29613 VOICE: (864) 294-2106 FAX: (864) 294-3123 Appointments are required. All services are free of cost to Furman students.

Their services include, but are not limited to: vocational assessment inventories, SIGI Plus, Experiential programs, shadow days, CareerLink, career library, placement files, mock interview programs, seminars, on campus recruiting, special events (e.g., Majors Fair, Career Day), and alumni placement services.

Return to top of page

On-Line Career Services

In addition to the career services offices you may find these web sites to be useful in your career plans:

Employment Resources and References

• DHEC Department of Health and Environmental Control: Job listings for South Carolina

•Job Search and Employment Opportunities: Best Bets from the Net Job openings and career development information. It includes a description and evaluation of each resource. Maintained at the University of Michigan.

• Student Center career help for college graduates

• Catapult Began as William & Mary's Career Service job listings

Return to top of page

Job Search Databases

• America's Job Bank Run by the U.S. Employment Service, networks 1,800 Employment Service offices.

• The Riley Guide Employment by Margaret F. Riley, Coordinator of Networked Resources, Gordon Library, Worchester Poilytechnic Institute.

• CareerPath Search Newspaper employment ads from six major cities

• careerWEB They even offer you a career fitness test

• The Internet's Online Career Center A non-profit employer association. Post your own HTML resume.

• Peterson's Education Center Provides information about educational employment opportunities at all academic levels

• Helpwanted.Com Searchable index of openings compiled from companies that have paid to be listed.

• Job Track On line job listings service, company profiles, and job search tips.

Combined Reference and Job Search Databases

• Career Resources Homepage Site contains links to various career related resources

• Career Mosaic Data base of both employment openings and applicant resumes

Return to top of page