Sociology graduates have a range of skills that are in demand, including communication and information gathering and analysis – but they need to know how to sell their strengths to employers.

Many sociology graduates are drawn to working in areas such as law, health and education, as well as social and welfare professions. For some of these roles, further study is required in order to qualify. Sociology graduates who want to work in business may find that roles in marketing are a good match for their skills and interests.

This guide should help you think about the skills you have and graduate job roles that might suit you. You will also find out about employment rates for recent sociology graduates and the career areas they found work in, as well as the types of work that sociology students are interested in.

Skills for your CV

You will have gained the ability to do the following things:

• think and act creatively
• maintain a flexible mind
• read pages of text and pick out the essential points
• conduct research and evaluate sources with a healthy scepticism
• lead and participate in discussions
• develop opinions, propose ideas and theories
• maintain objectivity, particularly towards other people
• play devil’s advocate
• have confidence in your opinions
• base conclusions on statistical research.

Job roles and career areas you could work in

A sociologist’s ability to form and defend an argument, regardless of personal opinions, could be helpful for a career in marketing. Sociology graduates would also be well suited to jobs in the Civil Service and politics.

With further training or qualifications you could succeed in the following job roles:

• charities administrator
• Civil Service administrator
• health service manager
• human resources officer
• journalist
• marketing executive
• political party research officer
• public affairs consultant (lobbyist)
• retail manager
• secondary school teacher
• solicitor