art-socy building at UMD

The University of Maryland BA Sociology graduates have been successful in many different fields post-graduation, including law, business, education, consulting, medicine -- not to mention social work, politics, and public administration. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge directly concerning each of these fields. Using information from the annual University of Maryland Graduation Survey, we have compiled details about SOCY majors, such as their post-graduation adventures. 

Use this information as a place to start exploring your career interests. Review additional resources below and on the Feller Center's website. 

Start Exploring Career Titles/Work Areas

Use the sample job and internship titles (mentioned above) to start exploring career paths. The links below provide a short overview of the positions. Review more career areas related to this major as well as tips to succeed. 

Resources: Career Planning & Graduate School

Explore career path options with these resources:

Policy:

The list below offers a brief overview of some of the more popular graduate degree programs and institutions our SOCY undergraduates have attended.

Sociology

  • North Carolina State University, Ph.D.
  • The Johns Hopkins University, Ph.D.
  • The Ohio State University, M.A/ Ph.D.
  • University of Maryland, College Park, Masters
  • University of Maryland, College Park, Ph.D.
  • University of Maryland, Baltimore Clinical Social Work, Masters

Law

  • Harvard, J.D.
  • University of Delaware, J.D.
  • University of Baltimore, J.D.
  • The University of Denver, J.D.

Medical

  • Nursing, Masters: Johns Hopkins University
  • Therapeutic Herbalism, Masters: Maryland University of Integrative Health

Graduate programs listed by area, degree, & institution:

  • Business and Management, MBA: University of Maryland
  • Clinical Psychology, Masters: Walden University
  • Counseling, Masters: Johns Hopkins University
  • Counseling, Masters: Niagara University
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice, Masters: University of Maryland
  • Education, Masters: Johns Hopkins University
  • Education, Masters: University of Maryland
  • History, Masters: University of Maryland
  • Pastoral Studies, Masters: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Public Policy, M.P.P: University of Maryland
  • Public Policy, Masters: University of Maryland
  • Public Policy, Masters: University of Southern California
  • Rabbinical Ordination, Masters: Jewish Theological Seminary of America
  • School Counseling, Masters: Trinity Washington University
  • School Counseling, Masters: John’s Hopkins University
  • Social Work, Masters: Widener University

Graduate School Resources: 

Learn about the Licensing process:

Application tips:

Market Skills Developed: SOCY Major

Skills lead to jobs. Which skills do you possess?

  • Assess your skills, abilities, interests, and values and explore how they relate to career options.
  • Skills inventory - get started identifying your unique assets.

Sample list of skills developed in class by Sociology majors.

  • Critically thinking
  • Assessing/examining information
  • Use of sociological concepts and a social science mode of argument
  • Ability to use research tools to conduct and assess research literature
  • Understanding of the role of theory in the construction of sociological inquiry
  • Ability to apply statistical concepts
  • Knowledge of social science model of evidence and argument
  • Social science statistical techniques
  • Data analysis
  • Organizing and presenting information
  • Lead research project
Linkedin Learning

Add to your skills with LinkedIn Learning's skill based videos. 

Gain Experience

Internships are a great way to try out an interest, regardless if they are directly related to your major. Employers tend to favor job seekers who have had an internship in the field they are hiring for. 

Sample internship sites and titles:

  • American Planning Association, Public Relations Intern
  • ANH Refractories Company, HR Intern
  • Cold Spring Elementary School, Child Development Intern 
  • Columbia Heights/Shaw Collaborative, Quality Assurance Intern
  • Common Ground Multicultural Dialogue Program, Peer Dialogue Leader
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Policy Assistant- Pathway Intern
  • Korea Institute for Future Studies, Program Intern
  • Majestic Relations Inc., Intern
  • Montgomery County Correctional Facility, Intern
  • Montgomery County State’s Attorney, Gang Prosecution Intern
  • National LGBTQ Task Force, Research Fellow
  • Orbital TMS, Human Resources Intern
  • Rural Migrant Ministry, Intern
  • U.S. Dept. of Justice: DEA Newark Division, Intern
  • U.S. Investigative Services, Student Intern/Record Searcher
  • USIS, Intern/Record Searcher
  • Washington National Cathedral, Project Manager
  • Women’s Right Information Center, Intern

Sample list of opportunities: Start your search with these tips 

The UMD Department of Sociology offers:

Prepare to applyTips to customize your resume, cover letter, etc. 

 

 

Sociology Internship Directory

Review this comprehensive list of organizations where past UMD Sociology students have successfully acquired internships.

Build Connections

After researching career paths, consider talking with people working in your field of interest to gain inside information. The links below provide sample events where you may be able to meet professionals in your field of interest. Use these opportunities to learn more about your field of interest, establish new networking contacts, and informational interviews.

Consider reviewing state and national sociology related associations to access career path information and even attend association sponsored events to network with professionals in your field of interest.

  • American Sociological Association, working at the national and international levels, the Association aims to articulate policy and implement programs likely to have the broadest impact.
  • InterAction, is an alliance organization in Washington, D.C. of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and works to end poverty and help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, produces many resources for a wide variety of audiences.
  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world.
  • American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) is a multi-partisan organization of political and public affairs professionals dedicated to improving democracy.
  • National League of Cities, the NLC is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents.
  • Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology, offers resources on sociology degree programs and career information.
  • Society for International Development, is a global network of individuals and institutions concerned with development, which is participative, pluralistic and sustainable.
  • Society of Human Resource Management, comprehensive resource for all topics on human resources.  
  • Sociologists for Women in Society, is a nonprofit professional feminist organization dedicated to: Encouraging the development of sociological feminist theory and scholarship; Transforming the academy through feminist leadership, career development, and institutional diversity; Promoting social justice through local, national, and international activism; Supporting the publication and dissemination of cutting edge feminist social science.

View More Connections