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(. Findings from Three Waves of ASA’s Bachelor’s and Beyond Research Project 2005-2009. “WHAT CAN I DO WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY?”. A National Survey of Seniors Majoring in Sociology. Top Job-Related Skills Gained by SOC majors.
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( Findings from Three Waves of ASA’s Bachelor’s and Beyond Research Project 2005-2009 “WHAT CAN I DO WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY?” A National Survey of Seniors Majoring in Sociology
Top Job-Related Skills Gained by SOC majors • Understanding of people’s experiences as they vary by race, class, &/or gender • Sensitivity to effect of culture & society on the personal lives of individuals • Ability to view issues & problems from alternative perspectives • Ability to develop evidence-based arguments & use available data to take informed position on an issue • Critical thinking and analytical skills that aid in problem-solving
Job-Related Skills & Job-Hunting • GOV’T JOBS • www.usajobs.gov • --can narrow search by city, state, zip code, gov’t agency name, or occupation • --useful occupation keywords: Administrative support; administration; management; human resources; social services; social sciences • --reasonable expectations: G-5 = entry level jobs for those w/ college degree; “foot in the door” jobs • State job websites: for ex., JobCenterofWisconsin.com • NON-PROFIT JOBS • www.idealist.org: search by occupational categories • www.cof.org (Council on Foundations: a org. serving foundations that make grants)
Job application letter & resume • BEGIN CAREER PLANNING NOW! • --use course electives wisely--contemplate utility of an internship • --develop relationships with those whom you plan to ask for letters of recommendation • Application letter & resume: MODIFY, MODIFY! • --should fit job specifics • --highlight skills most relevant to job • --highlight coursework most relevant to job
Resume YOUR NAME • Address: Phone: Email: • Seeking …. (type of job that you are seeking) __________________________________________________________ KEY SKILLS • __________________________________________________________ • EDUCATION • Name of high school; year of graduation • Name of college(s) attended; years of attendance; degree awarded • Major &, if applicable, Minors • Relevant coursework: • ____________________________________________________________ • JOB EXPERIENCE • ____________________________________________________________ REFERENCES
Seeking a Competitive Advantage • Only one in 18 undergraduate sociology majors completes a Master’s degree • Value of MA degree to career advancement in many different fields; NOT just for those on path to PhDs and professorships! • Grad School admissions: 3.0 GPA, decent score on GRE, & 3 letters of recommendation • Financial cost of graduate school • Career Planning in grad school: picking your electives wisely; selecting a thesis topic
Most Common Jobs of SOC Majors • Social services: 27% • --BA level: eligibility case worker; educ. outreach personnel; support staff in social service agencies • MA advancement opportunity: Directors of non-profit organizations; caseworker supervisors in gov’t agencies • Administrative Support: 16% • --BA level: administrative assistant; lower-level management • Administration/Management: 15% • Mid & upper-level management in gov’t agencies; non-profit directors • Opportunity optimized with a MA
Some Anecdotal Info on UW Sociology Majors • Post-BA professional programs: Dunlap; Jacobs; Wing • Best “tracking info” is on grads of our MA program • Administration—Educational: Muecke (PhD), Rottweiller (PhD) • PhD/Professors—Armstrong, Asiedu, Bentel, Coon, Dommaraju, Dunham, Fertig, Koeber, Melichar, Stuhlsatz, & Yoshida • Research Analysts: Butler, Dorssom, Hahn, Jacobsen-Ashman (PhD), Johnston (PhD), Kasper-Wolfe, & Rohde • Social Service agencies/non-profits: Eastman; Prehn • Program Directors: Berg; Utz