Sociology : Career areas

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, 60% of sociology graduates were in employment in the UK or overseas with a further 8% combining work and further study. These graduates entered a wide variety of jobs. Nearly 15% went into social and welfare professions and about 8% went into public and private sector management.

Interestingly, 20% entered occupations not categorised, which could include those working in not-for-profit organisations, project-based work and those using employment as a ‘stepping stone’ to gain experience for a specific career. There were also relatively high numbers employed in clerical and secretarial positions (14%) and in retail, catering and bar work (24%), which may indicate students gaining work experience as they decide their further career path.

Where are the jobs?

While many sociology graduates enter work in the public sector in a social or welfare role, others go into a variety of jobs throughout the public and private sector. Some employers include local and central government, industry, commerce, the NHS, education authorities, further and higher education, and charitable, counselling and voluntary organisations. Opportunities also exist in the civil service and graduate management training schemes. Sociology graduates work with a varied and diverse client group.

Start researching the employment market to see what opportunities are available at:

• Goodmoves Local Government Careers
• Guardian Jobs  
• Local Government Careers  
• Local Government Jobs in Scotland  
• Volunteering England  

For further insight into some potential employment areas see:

• Education - includes schools, further and higher education.
• Government and public administration - includes social services, emergency services, youth work and community education.
• Social care - employers in the sector help people overcome a range of difficulties and barriers. Includes social work and probation services.

See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.

Statistics are collected every year by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, with the data being collected within just six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do?  and your degree...what next?