A Degree in Sociology/Anthropology.
Students who wishing to begin work immediately after attaining the bachelor's degree are ready to apply for the many positions open to students with a liberal arts degree. Positions can be found in business, government and the human services. While many positions in these areas require a more specialized degree, employers are also looking for liberal arts graduates with the skills described above. There are also positions as assistants in research projects that are open to students with the skills of the applied sociology/anthropology major.
For those who wish to open up additional occupational vistas, sociology is an excellent background for many specific career opportunities that will be developed at the graduate or professional school level. People who obtain an M.A. or Ph.D. in sociology/anthropology, for example, often teach in colleges and universities. They also work in government or industry as researchers, administrators, consultants, program planners and the like. The sociology/anthropology majors also provide excellent preparation for graduate school in fields other than sociology/anthropology, such as social work, criminal justice, urban planning, law, public administration, and a range of other fields. Finally, the sociology/anthropology major is a good option for students who do not have well-defined career plans, but who wish to remain flexible and adaptable for a number of positions.
Possible Careers- Sociology
The following are illustrative of the kinds of settings in which sociologists--some with bachelors degrees, others with graduate or professional degrees--might find themselves:
- Advertising
- Banking
- Civil service positions
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Community action agencies
- Consumer attitude research
- Human service agencies
- Law
- Marketing research
- Newspaper reporting
- Personnel management
- Professional writing
- Program evaluation
- Public opinion polling
- Public relations
- Research and data analysis
- Urban Planning
- Sales
To bring some of these career opportunities in sociology a little closer to home. In the past few years, our students have gone on to graduate education in sociology, urban planning, health administration, future studies, public administration, guidance and counseling, economics and others.
Additional Resources
As for jobs, our graduates have found positions as professional social researchers, purchasers for stores, stockbrokers, video editors, consumer behavior researchers, sales coordinators for businesses, salespersons, supervisors, career counselors, child social workers, city planners, teachers, and mental health workers serving individuals with disabilities. While some positions in these settings require more specialized training, there are others that are open to graduates.
For more information, students should contact their adviser in the Sociology and Anthropology Department or the head of the department. The department has resources to help students assess graduate education, including graduate bulletins from many universities and two guides to graduate education publications from the American Sociological Association. Further assistance on career issues and decision-making can be obtained from Career Services, 3502 C.B. Hedgcock, 906-227-2800.
For additional information check out the following links:
Career opportunities in Sociology
Career opportunities in Anthropology
Possible Careers- Anthropology
The following are illustrative of the kinds of settings and careers in which anthropologists--some with bachelors degrees, others with graduate or professional degrees--might find themselves:
- Professor
- Park Ranger
- Cultural ambassador
- Tour guide
- Museum collections
- Journalist
- Social Worker
- Advertising Executive
- Advocacy Manager
- Public Relations
- Librarian
- Marketing
- Archaeology
- Cultural Resource Management
- Museum/Historical Society
- Human Resources
- Professional Writing
- Political Consultant
- Law
- Business Consultant
- Historian
- Equality/Diversity Officer
At Northern, we are finding that students with a degree in Anthropology are finding employment quickly after graduation. The department is only growing as is support from the administrative body.