Careers by Major - Sociology

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Careers for Graduates

There are many different career options available for Sociology graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Sociology graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

Government

  • Economic Development Officer*
  • Activist*
  • Border Services Officer
  • Census Field Officer
  • Citizenship and Immigration Officer*
  • Foreign Service Officer*
  • Human Rights Officer
  • Legislative Assistant
  • Civil Liberties Advocate / Lobbyist*
  • Political Aide*
  • Politician*
  • Public Policy Analyst*

Community Affairs:

  • Abuse / Crisis Counsellor*
  • Addictions Counsellor*
  • Adoption Counsellor*
  • Child and Youth Worker*
  • Community Justice Coordinator
  • Community Worker*
  • Developmental Service Worker*
  • Employment / Career Counsellor
  • Family Justice Counsellor
  • Health Care Administrator*
  • Housing Support Worker
  • Marriage and Family Therapist*
  • Mediator*
  • Public Health Inspector
  • Recreation Coordinator
  • Refugee Services Coordinator
  • Rehabilitation Counsellor*
  • Settlement Worker
  • Social Worker*
  • Street/Youth Outreach Worker
  • Urban/Regional Planner*
  • Volunteer Manager*

Teaching/Education:           

  • Child Development Worker
  • Education Policy Analyst
  • Post-Secondary Education Administrator*
  • Teacher / Professor*
  • School Counsellor*
  • School Resource Officer

Business/Communications:

  • Advertising Executive
  • Communications Specialist*
  • Diversity Coordinator
  • Fundraiser*
  • Human Resources Specialist*
  • Journalist*
  • Labour Relations Officer
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Project Manager*
  • Real Estate Appraiser*
  • Travel Agent*
  • Union Communication Specialist

Corrections/Law/Courts:

  • Aboriginal Liaison Officer
  • Bailiff*
  • Bylaw Enforcement Officer
  • Case Management Officer
  • Correctional Officer*
  • Court Administrator / Clerk*
  • Court Liaison Worker
  • Court Reporter
  • Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Criminal Lawyer*
  • Family Court Support Worker
  • Judge*
  • Legal Arbitrator
  • Paralegal*
  • Penologist
  • Police Officer*
  • Primary Worker / Kimisinaw
  • Probation Officer*
  • Social Program Officer
  • Victim Advocate
  • Victim Offender Mediator
  • Victim Services Worker
  • Youth Court Worker

Research:                       

  • Demographer
  • Librarian
  • Market Research Analyst*
  • Researcher*
  • Social Welfare Research Officer

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs graduates from this program?

  • Prisons and halfway houses
  • Political parties
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Research and policy institutions
  • Substance abuse treatment centers
  • Women’s shelters
  • Immigrant service agencies
  • Government agencies and courts
  • Mediation firms
  • Community centres
  • Newspapers / magazines
  • Police forces / RCMP
  • Public relations agencies
  • Unions and workers’ compensation boards
  • Youth shelters
  • Libraries
  • Universities, colleges and schools
  • Hospitals and medical centres
  • Consulting firms
  • Legal agencies
  • Employment service centres
  • Community development agencies

Skills developed by students in this program

Communication:

  • Develop and write reasoned reports; non-verbal communication of data using graphs, tables, diagrams; good listening, clarifying, and responding skills in interpersonal/verbal communication.

Research:

  • Planning and conducting research; collecting data with attention to details; critical analysis of statistical data; critical analysis of social phenomena and structures

Technical:

  • Knowledge/understanding/application of sociological theories on human social interaction, social problems, public policy etc; use of statistical software packages

Problem Solving:

  • Present theories/ideas/ specific viewpoints ; synthesize information; understand institutional and cultural values

Organizational:

  • Compile and organize facts and information; planning and time management; work with deadlines; work independently; work in teams/small groups

Some content adapted from:
http://www.monroecc.edu/depts/ashp/sociology/what.htm

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Youth Settlement Worker, Centre for Information & Community Services
  • Justice Policy Analyst, Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres
  • Research Associate, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793
  • ESL Teacher, Advantage Centres for English
  • Communications & Public Relations Coordinator, Bellissimo Law Group
  • Civic Awareness Project Coordinator, Agincourt Community Services Association
  • Market Research Analyst, Millennium Research Group
  • Operations Manager, Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services
  • Legal Assistant / Law Clerk, Family Law, Gillian Bentley
  • Community Health Partnership Coordinator, Canadian Cancer Society
  • Real Estate Analyst, Integris Real Estate Counsellors
  • Development Officer (Fundraiser), ErinoakKids Foundation
  • Anti Violence Youth Coordinator, Riverdale Immigrant Women’s Centre
  • Community Outreach & Development Coordinator, Parkdale Community Information Centre                                         
  • Travel Advisor/Team Administrator, Butterfield & Robinson
  • Agreement Administrator, Writers Guild of Canada
  • Human Resource Coordinator, Ehvert Engineering
  • Coordinator, Volunteerism & Diversity, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Paralegal – International Law, Appleton & Associates International Lawyers
  • Residential Support Worker, The Safehaven Project for Community Services

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want.  Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions 

  • Orientation Coordinator, UTM Students’ Union
  • Marketing Researcher, Children’s  Aid Foundation
  • Community/Youth Support Worker, Parkdale Community Information Centre
  • Summer Research Assistant, Higher Education Strategy Associates
  • Drop-In Support Worker, Canadian Red Cross
  • Student Border Services Officer, Canada Border Services Agency
  • Legal Assistant, Speigel Nichols Fox LLP

Part-Time Positions

  • English Conversation Facilitator, University Settlement
  • LGBTQ Coordinator, UTM Students’ Union
  • Tutor, Central Learning Centre
  • Community Outreach, U of T – OISE
  • Outreach Volunteer Coordinator, Students for Barrier-Free Access
  • Residential Counselor, Dowling Community Service Residence
  • Career Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Legal Assistant, James S. Marks, Barrister & Solicitor

Work-Study Positions

Previous postings have included:

  • Student Liaison, UTM Department of English and Drama
  • Community Outreach Assistant, UTM Department of Psychology
  • Quantitative Data Analyst, UTM Department of Sociology
  • Research Position (Specialized Courts), UTM Department of Sociology
  • utmONE Evaluation Support, UTM Office of the Dean
  • Team Leader: Mental Health, UTM Health and Counselling Centre
  • Program Assistant, UTM Department of Physical Education, Athletics & Recreation

Extern Job Shadowing Program

Extern is a career exploration program that offers you the opportunity to meet with people working in your preferred career area for placements of 1-5 days.

Samples of previous Extern placements include:

  • Social Program Specialist, Ministry of Children and Youth Services
  • Criminal Lawyer, GC – Department of Justice
  • Guidance Counsellor, Wa Porter Ci High School
  • Human Resources, Ontario Ministry of Labour
  • Settlement Counsellor (Immigration), WoodGreen Community Services

Volunteer Positions

  • Apprentice Special Needs Instructor, The Bodiworks Centre
  • Legal Assistant, Abraham Top
  • Community Educator, Centre for Social Justice
  • Big Brother or Big Sister, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
  • Program Coordinator, Youth Social Innovation Capital Fund
  • Volunteer Site Supervisor/Back-Up Tutor, Working Women Community Centre
  • Marketing Coordinator, Journalists for Human Rights
  • Administrative Help, St. Mary of Egypt Refuge
  • Grant Researcher, LetsStopAIDS

Internships

Ontario Internship Program
The Ontario Internship Program is not like other internship or co-op programs. As an intern with the Ontario Public Service, you’ll be paid a competitive salary to complete challenging and rewarding job assignments in areas including: Policy Development, Human Resources, Communications, and Project Management, among many others.

Career Edge
Career Edge offers graduates with an opportunity to intern with leading Canadian employers. Internships are paid and benefits graduates with time after their studies to gain experience in a variety of fields.  Ideal placements are available for individuals with a background in Marketing, HR, Finance, and Economics among many others.

Sociology Internships Abroad
The Intern Abroad site offers students in Sociology and related fields several opportunities to gain experience.  Thousands of postings are listed and updated through this database on a daily basis.  Placements are available in several countries.

Research Opportunity Program (ROP)

UTM's Research Opportunity Program (ROP) allows students in their second and third year to earn one full course credit by participating in a faculty member's research project. Check the ROP website for information about the program including application deadlines.  2012-2013 projects included:  “Factors Affecting Recidivism among Young Offenders”; “Constructing Citizenship and Belonging: Media Debates on Sharia and Immigrant Credentials; “Employment Prospects for Ex-Prisoners in the GTA; “Cartographies of Gender – Global Stratification in Gender-Related Refugee Case Law” among others.

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume.  In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market.  It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field.

Canadian Sociological Association (CSA)
“CSA is a professional association that promotes research, publication and teaching in Sociology in Canada. Its members include people from universities, government agencies and businesses. The membership has many student members.”

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
“CCPA is a national bilingual association that strives to increase awareness about the role of the profession in all healthcare, educational and industry sectors.  CCPA’s membership includes experts and specialists in numerous mental health areas ranging from ADHD and learning disabilities; marriage counselling; eating disorders; stress, depression, and anger; grief and infertility; weight management and body image; addiction; Aboriginal issues; family counselling; career development and management, and much more.  Student membership is available.”

Canadian Criminal Justice Association (CCJA)
“Founded in 1919, CCJA is an independent national voluntary organization working for an improved criminal justice system in Canada.  Recognizing that the criminal justice system must serve the needs of all people, the CCJA is an umbrella organization representing all elements of the criminal justice system, including the public. It exists to promote rational, informed, and responsible debate in order to develop a more humane, equitable, and effective justice system.”

Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
“The CCSD is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, which was founded in 1920.  Their mission is to develop and promote progressive social policies inspired by social justice, equality and the empowerment of individuals and communities.  They do this through research, consultation, public education and advocacy.”

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • Career Cruising
  • Great Jobs for Sociology Majors
  • Great Jobs for Criminal Justice Majors
  • Careers in Social Rehabilitation Services
  • Careers in Community Development
  • Careers for Good Samaritans & Other Humanitarian Types
  • Great Jobs for Liberal Arts Majors

Web Links:

Panel Packages

  • Networking Night: Non-Profit Industry (2011)
  • Sociology & Criminology Career Panel (2008)
  • Alternatives to Law (2008)
  • Diversity Matters: A Wealth of Career Opportunities (2008)
  • Careers with a Conscience (2006)
  • Careers in Counselling

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).