A sociology degree provides you with a broad background suitable for a wide range of jobs in human resources, education, social services, government, business, sales and marketing, international development and public policy analysis.
York sociology students will also receive the methodological preparation needed to take on research jobs that are increasingly in demand at advertising and market research firms. Furthermore, sociology provides students with the critical thinking and analytic skills necessary to take on advanced analysis in all employment sectors.
What do you gain with an undergraduate sociology degree?
- Critical thinking and writing skills
- Advanced analytical skills
- Social inquiry skills to understand social problems, social processes and their effects
- Practical research skills such as in-depth interviewing, focus groups, ethnography, survey and statistical methods, archival research and content analysis
Sociology Alumna
Jessica Rizk
Occasional K-10 Educator
“Education is everything that I live, breathe, and do. An education has allowed me to grow as an educator – teaching future generation of learners.”
Sociology Alumna
Breanne Williams
Child and Youth Worker
“The discipline of sociology is so important. It forces us to deconstruct social structures and institutions in ways that allow one to reconsider: why things are this way?”
Common career paths for sociology majors
- Community work for social service organizations, nonprofits, child-care or community development agencies or environmental groups
- Social services in rehabilitation, case management, group work with youth or the elderly, recreation or administration
- Corrections in probation, parole, or other criminal justice work
- Advertising, marketing and consumer research, insurance, real estate, personnel work, training or sales
- Post-secondary admissions, alumni relations or placement offices
Common career paths for sociology majors
- Health services in family planning, substance abuse, rehabilitation counselling, health planning, hospital admissions and insurance companies
- Publishing, journalism and public relations in writing, research and editing
- Government services in federal, state and local government jobs in such areas as transportation, housing, agriculture and labour
- Teaching in elementary and secondary schools, in conjunction with appropriate teaching certification
- Teaching in college and university institutions, with additional masters or Ph.D. degree attainment
- Sociology graduate studies at York
Sociology Alumna
Athena Sham
Marketing Specialist
“Sociology pushes students to think outside the box. It helped me gain a new tool that I have applied constantly into many of my life and work experiences after graduating.”