Download What can I do with a degree in Sociology?

What can I do with a degree
in Sociology?
Sociology.
Planning your career
Choosing a career involves more than just
finding out what is open to you. Knowledge
about yourself is central to the process. It’s
worth looking at your personal goals, abilities,
values, interests, and skills to relate study and
career options to you. The suggestions here are
only an aid to this decision-making process.
Most employers look for generic skills such as
leadership, communication skills, interpersonal
skills, customer-focus and the ability to work
in and contribute to a team. Some of these are
developed during your degree, while others have
been developed through extra-curricular activity
such as sports, community, or cultural groups.
As more and more employers are developing
jobs that are particular to their own
environment, it is more difficult to provide a
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definitive list of possible career options. The
ones that follow are illustrative rather than
exhaustive. Some career opportunities may
require graduate or postgraduate study or
additional work experience.
Some career paths and degrees have
recommended pathways from school. To
download the ‘Best Preparation for University’
information sheet go to
www.canterbury.ac.nz/liaison/best_prep.shtml
What is Sociology?
Societies seem to be firmly established but
change rapidly. We seem to be under the
control of organisations but organisations
are constantly restructured. As sociologists
attend to these kinds of puzzles, sociology is
the rigorous study of society. They investigate
the structure of societies, organisations and
groups. Their subject matter ranges from the
intimacy of the family, the criminal gang,
activities at the rugby game and rock festival,
through to divisions of ethnicity, gender
and class. All of these and many more areas,
including globalisation, postcolonialism, cities,
technologies, environment, health and the
social organisation of death are included in the
Sociology programme taught at UC.
The programme uses multi-media styles of
teaching delivery and that draw on lecturers'
own research to deliver interdisciplinary and
innovative approaches including cultural
analysis, feminism, postcolonialism and the
analysis of human-machine interactions. The
programme at UC is distinctive in its strong
commitment to the integration of theoretical
analysis and investigative work at all levels of
teaching and in encouraging research-based
assignments by students.
‘Sociology is the rigorous
study of society. Sociologists
investigate the structure of
societies, organisations and
groups.’
What skills have our
graduates gained?
Through their Sociology degree, graduates
develop a valuable set of skills that are
transferrable to a range of careers, including:
• Thinking critically, creatively and challenging
ideas
• Understanding the influences of human
behaviour
• Logical and quantitative thinking
• Practical application of sociological theory
• Problem solving skills adaptable to differing
contexts
• Interpretive and analytical thinking
• Oral and written communication
• Research and computing.
Opportunities to apply your learning outside the
classroom through work and other experiences
also exist and can deepen your skills set and
employability. Work and other experiences
can also support and inform learning and skill
development in the classroom.
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Where have our
graduates been
employed?
Sociology graduates are employed in a diverse
range of occupations in the private and public
sectors. Their skills are drawn upon in private
sector research organisations, consultancies,
media firms and a wide range of social
movements. They also carry out research for
government departments on topics such as
the distribution of income and wealth and
gender and ethnic equality. Employment in
government departments can also involve
policy development and analysis, drafting new
legislation and analysing the pros and cons of
different social policies. They also teach and
research in universities and polytechnics and
teach in schools.
For more examples of employers who recruit UC
students and graduates go to
www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
For more information about UC student and
graduate opportunities, go to UC CareerHub:
www.careerhub.canterbury.ac.nz
What jobs and activities do our graduates do?
Graduates with this degree are employed in a range of jobs including consumer researcher, counsellor
and human rights officer.
Some of the jobs listed may require further study at postgraduate level. Postgraduate study can
contribute to your employability. It enables you to extend your knowledge and skills, indicates your
motivation and ability to persevere at a high level academically and can make you more competitive
in the job market. Postgraduate study may be a prerequisite for certain jobs.
Social researcher
Market researcher
• Designs and develops research projects to
meet specific objectives
• Develops research strategies
• Understands and uses a range of quantitative
and qualitative methods
• Analyses and interprets data to be written in
published reports
Community development worker
• Recognises problems and concerns within
communities
• Assists in the development of local
programmes to address community issues
• Analyses and evaluates results and
information
• Provides advice and recommendations
Advocate
• Advises and represents individuals or groups
• Examines and drafts contracts
• Researches and provides relevant information
to clients
Career counsellor
• Raises awareness of issues to promote
community cohesion
• Assists clients in developing career decision
making and job search skills
Human resource advisor
• Provides information about education and
training options
• Understands the recruitment requirements of
a business
• Delivers career education seminars
• Manages advertising of vacancies
Police officer
• Advises on workplace policies and procedures
• Investigates crimes
Policy analyst
• Patrols communities and events
• Researches and analyses information to assist
in policy planning and development
• Reviews and interprets existing policies
• Prepares and presents reports
Community corrections officer
• Provides assessments of the suitability of
offenders for parole
• Manages, supervises and monitors the
behaviour of paroled offenders
• Provides access to services and programmes
Assistant language teacher
• Prepares and delivers instructional activities
and lessons
• Observes and evaluates performance in order
to provide feedback
• Develops and marks tests and assessments
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• Writes reports
Entrepreneurship and innovation are
increasingly becoming an important part of the
world of work and should be considered as a
career option. For more information about UC
student innovation & entrepreneurship, related
internships, scholarships, courses and activities
go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
For further information on job titles, please see
the latest UC Graduate Destinations Survey
(www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers)
For additional graduate destination information
go to www.graduatecareers.com.au or
www.prospects.ac.uk
What professional
bodies and organisations
do our students and
graduates link to?
As they progress in their studies and into a
career, our students and graduates often join
professional bodies specific to their area of
interest. These organisations offer graduates
the opportunity to network and collaborate
with others within the same community. Other
relevant organisations are also listed.
• The Australian Sociological Association
(www.tasa.org.au)
• The International Sociological Association
(www.isa-sociology.org)
Social media networks, such as LinkedIn
(including LinkedIn groups), Facebook and
Twitter can provide avenues for students and
graduates to keep up-to-date with current
industry knowledge and ‘best practice’,
networking opportunities, industry-related
events and job vacancies.
What further study can I
do after my degree?
It is possible to study at postgraduate and
graduate level in subjects both directly and
indirectly related to your degree. For a list of
postgraduate and graduate study options, go to
www.canterbury.ac.nz/courses
Sociology graduates may continue on to
the one-year Bachelor of Arts with Honours
programme. Students who have completed an
honours degree may proceed to the masters
or doctoral programmes (PhD), both of which
involve thesis work. If you wish to develop your
career in social service occupations, consider a
postgraduate course in Social Work. Many Arts
graduates do additional training in teaching,
library, journalism or management.
Postgraduate study can also lead to an academic
career pathway in teaching and research.
Carefully consider your motivation for study,
how it fits in with your long-term career
plans and whether it is likely to enhance your
employment prospects.
Moana Mauauri
that will last a lifetime. Being surrounded by
like-minded people who were aiming for a better
future was an encouragement in itself. I loved it
and will miss it for sure.’
Having recently graduated, Moana is currently
working in South Korea teaching English to
pay off her student loan, travel the world and
gain some experience. She says her degree in
Psychology and Sociology has equipped her well
for this by training her to understand the human
mind and the behaviours and attitudes of a
person, enabling her to work with people from
different backgrounds.
‘My courses also provided a hard working ethic
that has definitely prepared me for what I am
doing now and for what I am going to do.’
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology
English Teacher, South Korea
It’s not all about being intelligent, it’s about
having the drive for something better, says
Moana, who has realised since coming to UC
that the desire to succeed is what’s important.
‘You don’t have to be the smartest person to
study at university. You just have to be hungry
for something better. So if you want to make
something of your life, or make yourself and
your family proud, come and study,’
she encourages.
‘At UC you feel anything is possible. A bit
cheesy I know, but true. It is not just a place for
intellectuals but a place for growth in all aspects
of one’s life. There is so much help on campus
and various groups to join. What I enjoyed most
about Canterbury was meeting different people
from all over Christchurch, New Zealand and
the world. I made some amazing friendships
Moana’s long-term goal is to work with youth.
‘Although I was born in Christchurch, I am a very
proud Cook Island girl and I want to work with
children of various ages, especially Pacific Island
adolescents. I want to encourage teenagers to
strive for a better life, to believe in themselves
and to accomplish great things,’ she says.
‘I want to encourage
teenagers to strive for
a better life, to believe
in themselves and to
accomplish great things.’
‘In regards to studying, my advice is to read,
read, read. Read your textbooks, your handouts
from class, online articles, your class notes,
newsletters – absolutely everything and
anything that you need to further equip yourself
for your studies.
‘Finally, no matter where you come from or
where you want to go, or how intelligent or
social you are, if you want a better future or
life then study hard, interact with others and
embrace what you learn at university.’
‘I don’t know exactly what my career will be, but
I do know that I want to encourage, empower
and influence young adolescents in New Zealand
to be better people with a better future for
themselves and their families that would benefit
their communities and the wider society.’
Moana has plenty of advice for prospective
students, especially anyone who is unsure
exactly what they want to study.
‘Take the chance to experiment. A Bachelor of
Arts degree allows you to take classes from
different subjects so you learn about numerous
and various things, and can figure out what
exactly you want to study if you don’t already
know.
More information
College of Arts
Careers, Internships & Employment
Student Liaison
Telephone: +64 3 364 2176
Email: [email protected]
www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz
Telephone: +64 3 364 3310
Email: [email protected]
www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
University of Canterbury, Christchurch
Telephone: +64 3 364 2993
Email: [email protected]
www.canterbury.ac.nz/liaison
Careers, Internships & Employment offers
intending and current students and recent
graduates a wide range of services, including
individual career guidance, seminars,
career resources, and student and graduate
employment opportunities.
www.careerhub.canterbury.ac.nz
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Student Liaison provides intending students
with information about the university system in
general and the courses, qualifications, support
and facilities at the University of Canterbury.
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