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Liberal Arts Advisement & Careers

Sociology

Looking Forward

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Resources for Looking Forward
Competencies and Careers
Value of My Degree
Grad School

Competencies and Careers

Competencies Developed in the Program
Students in the Sociology program can expect to develop strong Communication, Critical Thinking, and Cultural Navigation competencies. Want to know more about these professional competencies?
Career Readiness

Common Career Fields
A sociology degree prepares graduates for a variety of careers focused on understanding and addressing social behavior, institutions, and inequalities. Many work in social services, such as case management, community outreach, or counseling. Others enter public policy, research, or government, analyzing data to inform social programs or advocate for change. In the nonprofit sector, sociology majors often work in program coordination, advocacy, law, or development. The degree is also valuable in business settings, especially in human resources, marketing, and diversity, equity, and inclusion roles.
See More

Explore these handouts that dive into specific career areas:
- Law & Criminology

- Public Policy & Administration

- Social Work & Human Services

- Data Analytics

Meet with your Advisor!
Do you have a career option in mind, but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Matt Armstrong!
Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!

Meet with your Career Director:
Your Career Director can help you get connected to alumni, find companies that are hiring, hone your resume, and strategically look for jobs. Set up an appointment with Sara Larson here.

Search for jobs online:
ONet Online: This database helps you explore jobs, find similar jobs under related job titles, search for jobs in specific locations, and connect to professional organizations.
Handshake: The ultimate job board for internships and entry level jobs. Use it to search for jobs, connect with alumni, and research companies.
BYU Career Services: This office offers many job search resources for your job search, including job and internship fairs, networking events, resume reviews, and online helps. Check it out here.

Articulating the Value of Your Degree

What professional competencies have I developed by studying Sociology?
Learn more here about the professional competencies that you have and employers want!

Who can help me create a resume, cover letter, and/or LinkedIn profile that highlights my strengths and skills?
There are many people on campus who can help you create a resume, cover letter, or professional profile! You can use the Career Studio, your Academic and Professional Development Manager, your Career Director, or career fair prep events.

Who is my career director?
Sara Larson. You can contact her here.

Who is my Academic and Professional Development Manager?
Matt Armstrong. You can contact him here.

Grad School

Are you considering grad school? Your best resource is your faculty. Reach out to your professors about exploring grad schools, gaining the proper experience, and building a strong application. Faculty contact info can be found on the Sociology Department website.

You can also talk with your Academic and Professional Development Manager about grad school. Is it necessary for your career goals? What types of programs should you consider? How can you best prepare for that program? What is your application timeline? Do you need to take an entrance exam? You can talk through all of these questions and more with your advisor.

Grad School Prep handouts
Pre-Professional Advisement Center
Peterson's Guide to Grad School
Grad School Handouts

Beyond the Office

I'm not planning on working full-time. How can I use my Sociology degree in meaningful ways outside of being employed full-time?

Freelance Resources

You can take on freelance, part-time work projects. Sometimes these are called "side gigs." There are lots of ways to put your competencies and interests to work, even if it's part-time or temporary/project-based.
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Freelance Jobs | UpWork

Find Remote & Online Work
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Twine

Freelance Job Search Engine
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How to Start a Side Hustle

Article to provide information on side hustles
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30 Side Hustle Ideas That Don't Need Experience (2025)

Shopify
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Volunteer Resources

Find part-time volunteer opportunities that help you maintain and build your competencies!
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Community Needs

Volunteer Opportunities
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UServeUtah

Volunteer Opportunities
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What to Do in Provo

Volunteer Opportunities
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Volunteer.gov

Volunteer Opportunities
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Mormon Women For Ethical Government

Volunteer Opportunities
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Manage A Household

Use your degree to effectively manage a household and purposefully raise a family.

Parent Strategies for Improving Their Child's Reading and Writing

Your degree can boost learning outcomes for your kids
  • Model good habits by reading and writing in front of your child.
  • Make reading materials—ones they will truly care about—readily available for your child
  • Talk with your child. Children expand their vocabulary and understanding of sentence structures through conversations with others.
  • Give your child authentic writing tasks to help them find their voice and develop their sense of power

Helping Parents Get a College Education Helps Children Succeed

“European researchers have shown that the positive effects of parental education can be seen as early as age 4 and persist through graduation. Comparing the effects of parental education, socio-economic status, and income over the life course, the same researchers confirm that parental education matters, with maternal education having its strongest effect in early childhood, especially on cognitive development and the associated long-term benefits.”

FAQ's

  • Start with your Career Director, Sara Larson.
    You can also take a class on job search strategies: STDEV 317.

  • There are many ways to make the most of the years between undergrad and grad school! Your Career Director, your Academic and Professional Development Manager, your professors, and the advisors at Pre-Professional Advisement can all help you find meanignful work that will move you toward your goals.

  • There are resources on campus to help you find time to apply for jobs and still be successful in your classes.

    Your Career Director has a lot of resources to make your job search productive and efficient.

    You can check out these online resources from Careers Services to help you be strategic in your job search and application process.

Links

Exploring the Major
Engaging in the Major
Looking Forward
FAQs