Choosing the Right Career

I'm earning a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in communications. What types of jobs might be a good match for me?

It may seem surprising, but liberal arts degrees like sociology serve as an excellent foundation for a wide variety of jobs. As bachelor's degrees become more and more common in the job market, employers are realizing that the value of a liberal arts education is in a graduate's ability to think and write critically, to solve problems logically and to be creative.

Sociology majors can be found in business, education, nonprofit and government work, management, journalism and just about any other field that values a well-rounded job applicant. Many professional job postings no longer request a specific degree from their applicants; they simply want to know that their potential employees are educated.

Now, if you're interested in a career specific to sociology, you'll want an advanced degree. With a master's or PhD in sociology, jobs can be found mostly in teaching and research. While jobs are available for those with bachelor's degrees in sociology, options are more plentiful with an advanced degree.

If it's not too late, you might also consider turning that comm minor into a second major. With a bachelor's degree in communications, you can qualify for a job in media, management, public relations, and various other fields within the private and public sectors. If getting to campus to take these additional classes is too difficult, consider taking them online. Most online colleges accept a certain number of transfer credits. If you do this, make sure the online college is accredited, and check with your college first to see if your credits will transfer. Good luck!