Alumnae

So what can you do with a sociology major? When students (and parents) ask this question, they typically want to know what types of jobs are open to those who major in sociology. Based on what our alumnae tell us, the answer to this question is pretty clear – any job you can possibly think of! Here is a small sampling of occupations held by sociology alumnae over the years:

Director of Development Operations, Director of Religious Education, Health Care Administrator, Associate Marketing Manager, Elementary School Administrator, Computer Software Designer, Clinical Director of Pediatrics, Retired Chief Operations Officer, Administrative Law Judge, Human Resources Manager, Secondary School Administrator, Executive Director, Youth Development Volunteer, Associate Professor, Director of Marketing, Tax Compliance Specialist, Database Administrator, Health Administrator, Social Service Administrator, Education IT Consultant, Elder Care Worker, Author, Managing Vice President, Clinical Psychologist, ESL Teacher, Analyst, Management Consultant, Retail Manager, Retired Executive Vice President, Interior Designer, Ranch Management, Ambassador Translator, Newspaper Editor, Public Policy Director, Research Analyst, Primary School Teacher, Flower Grower, Vice President, Psychiatrist Lawyer, Teller, Clinical Social Worker, Attorney Recruiter, Non-Profit Administrator, Realtor, Bookkeeper, Actress, VP of Sales, CEO, Nurse Principal, Travel Agent, Financial Analyst, Insurance Executive, Minister, Dermatologist, Market Analyst, Designer, Hospitality Worker, Program Officer, Physical Therapist, Software Developer, Account Executive, Banker, Teacher, Potter, Physician, Law Clerk, Buyer, Horticulturist, Clinical Social Worker, Journalist, Ophthalmologist, Professor, Decorator, Psychologist, Non-Profit Trustee, Social Worker, Financial Planner, Editor, Assistant VP, Market Research, Lecturer, Pediatrician, State Auditor, Accountant, Probation Agent, Real Estate Broker, Homemaker, Managing Director, Police Officer, Public Relations Executive, Senior Vice President, Museum Worker, Industry Executive, Protective Services Worker, Landscape Architect, CFO, Hotel Executive, Research Associate, Managed Care Coordinator, Administrator, Correspondent, Marketing Owner/Executive, Strategic Research Manager, Foreign Service Officer, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Senior Political Affairs Officer, Graphic Designer, Financial Aid Counselor, Secondary School Guidance Counselor, Geriatric Social Worker, Regional Account Manager, Elementary School Teacher, Director of Admissions, University Administrator, Director of Human Resources, Computer Science Administrator, COO and Director of Strategy, Associate Director of Human Resources, Government Administrator, Film Producer and Director, Director of Government Affairs, Director of Business Development

As you can see, Wellesley College sociology majors pursue careers in an enormous variety of fields. The majority also earn graduate degrees of one kind or another. Alumnae tell us that their undergraduate courses in sociology have helped them to better understand and navigate their workplaces as well as to develop and refine “meta-skills” – skills like writing, critical thinking, evaluating evidence, etc. – that have been indispensable for learning new fields, doing their jobs well, and acquiring new job-specific skills. Moreover, thinking sociologically has enriched their lives in ways far beyond what they do for work. Here is what one of our alumnae from the Class of 1993 had to say about majoring in sociology:

 

My sociology degree has been tremendously helpful over the years. It has helped me to navigate corporate America with a more open mind and understand the motivations of various groups with whom I interact. When I took on a management role in our Costa Rica office a few years back I once again found myself relying on my training in sociology to better understand the dynamics of my team. It has also been useful knowledge during my travels to different countries, helping me to have deeper experiences than I would otherwise. And I find myself thinking of the topic more and more these days – I've recently become a parent and there are endless opportunities for the sociologist to study group pressures and agendas in this new land I've entered.

 

Top 10 most-earned graduate degrees by our sociology alumnae:

  1. MA (Master of Arts)
  2. JD (Juris Doctor)
  3. PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
  4. MBA (Master of Business Administration)
  5. MS (Master of Science)
  6. MSW (Master of Social Work)
  7. MED (Master of Education)
  8. MD (Doctor of Medicine)
  9. MPH (Master of Public Health)
  10. MPA (Master of Public Administration)

 

Top 10 most-attended graduate schools by our sociology alumnae:

  1. Harvard University
  2. Boston University
  3. Columbia University
  4. Yale University
  5. University of Chicago
  6. University of California-Berkeley
  7. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
  8. University of Pennsylvania
  9. University of California-Los Angeles
  10. Simmons College

 

You might find it informative to look at what some of our majors have been up to since graduation. This link will bring you to short bios that have been sent in by alumnae. Most have provided contact information and expressed an interest in answering questions and offering advice. You will see that the kinds of jobs and graduate programs they report are as interesting as they are diverse.

Wellesley College Department of Sociology Alumnae Bios

Please note: This document is only available to current Wellesley students and alumnae with approved access – this is to protect the privacy of those who have posted a bio. Please contact Joe Swingle at jswingle@wellesley.edu if you are an alumnae and would like access and/or to add a bio of your own...which we would love to include!