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:
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:
- MA (Master of Arts)
- JD (Juris Doctor)
- PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- MS (Master of Science)
- MSW (Master of Social Work)
- MED (Master of Education)
- MD (Doctor of Medicine)
- MPH (Master of Public Health)
- MPA (Master of Public Administration)
Top 10 most-attended graduate schools by our sociology alumnae:
- Harvard University
- Boston University
- Columbia University
- Yale University
- University of Chicago
- University of California-Berkeley
- University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of California-Los Angeles
- 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!