Opportunities with a Sociology Degree

Along with the College's Career Services office, the sociology faculty at Roanoke College are prepared and want to help students with their career interests and to tailor an educational program for them. Ninety-five percent of Roanoke College seniors get jobs or pursue graduate school within six months of graduation. Sociology majors pursue a wide variety of jobs and careers, including the following:

In local and state governments, as well as the Federal government, working in areas such as housing, health, welfare, minority affairs, and population.

In the business world, working in management, public relations, community affairs, real estate, and insurance.

In social services, working directly with children or the elderly, offenders, the poor, or the physically and mentally ill, or working in an agency that administers services.

In policy making and administration in all types of employment settings -- from government agencies to community relations to health agencies to law enforcement.

In education as teachers in elementary or secondary schools.

In numerous other fields, ranging from college admissions and student services to working for a research organization to working in the media.

• Assistant Director of Admissions, Roanoke College
• Mental Health Counselor, Cedar Springs Hospital
• Supervisor, Metro Research Services
• Marketing and Sales Coordinator, Stouffer Harborplace Hotel
• Health Educator, Roanoke Memorial Hospital
• Social Worker, Massachusetts Dept. of Social Services
• Teacher, Roanoke County & City Public Schools
• Systems Analyst, Orkand Corporation
• Customer Accounts Manager, Essex Savings Bank
• Educator, Planned Parenthood
• Social Worker, VA Medical Center
• Operations Manager, Calvin Klein
• Case Manager, Roanoke Valley VASAP
• Retail Sales, Dillard Paper
• Director of Activities, Richfield Retirement Center
• Preschool Assistant, Make A Mess
• Legal Assistant, Carter, Brown, and Osborne
• Project Director, Audits and Surveys
• Claims Adjuster, Allstate Insurance Company
• Academic Grants Coordinator, Roanoke College
• Quality of Life Study Coordinator, UVA
• Financial Services Representative, NBC Bank
• Promotion Assistant, Fox 21/27 Television
• Assistant Manager, Davidsons
• Layout Artist, Roanoke Times & World News
• Case Manager, FMRS Mental Health Counselor
• Counselor, Positive Lifestyle
• Police Officer, Roanoke City Police Department
• Marketing Representative, Unifirst Corporation
• Sports Reporter/Anchor WDBJ TV
• Social Worker, Lexington Dept. of Social Services
• Paralegal, Hartlaub, Dotten, and Connelly
• Supervisor of Telemarketing, Tweeds
• Settlement Administrator, Trident Mortgage Company
• Executive Director, Child Abuse and Neglect Council
• Sales Consultant, Jack Hartman/Microage
• Administrative Assistant, Power Component Systems
• Mental Health Assistant, Behavior Research Institute
• Environmental Issues Group, Digital Equipment Corporation
• Social Worker, Inner City Development
• Case Worker, Child Protective Services
• Office Manager, Reuben Allen and Associates
• Care Manager, Senior Center
• Teacher, The Children's Way
• Data Coordinator, Syndicated Collection Agency
• Assistant Bank Branch Manager
• Marketing Representative, Paxton Van Lines
• Computer Analyst, Wellman Corporation
• Case Worker, Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Many sociology majors, either immediately after graduation or within the next several years, choose to extend their formal education. While some choose to enter doctoral or masters programs in sociology or anthropology, an even greater number enter programs in areas such as law, education, criminal justice, social work, public health, health administration, counseling, and urban studies.

• The University of Virginia (sociology, education, and public policy departments, as well as the law school)
• Virginia Tech (sociology, public administration, health administration, family studies, and urban studies departments, as well as student services)
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (sociology, public health, and social work departments)
• George Washington University (urban studies)
• Washington and Lee University (law school)
• Columbia University (social work and public health)
• Wake Forest University (law school)
• Virginia Commonwealth University (sociology and social work)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte (counseling)
• Hofstra University (law school)
• Rider University (education)
• Indiana University (health administration)
• Hollins University (liberal studies)
• University of South Carolina (social work and health administration)
• Long Island University (counseling and development)
• University of Puget Sound (law school)
• University of North Florida (sociology)
• Duke University (sociology)
• University of Maryland (social work)
• Emory University (sociology)
• University of Denver (sociology)
• Northern Illinois University (sociology)

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