What is Sociology

Sociology is the study of society. Sociologists work to understand how people are affected by and affect the social. Basically, we are, in part, a product of our environment. We learn (are socialized) from the people around us. This learning is influenced by what came before us so history is a critical part of sociology.

Sociologists study a great variety of things about people. We might look at how people behave in a particular public space (stores, restaurants, hospitals, Facebook), how the rules at a particular place are followed or not followed, what the type of positions we hold (roles) influence our behavior, how our position in society influences the way we think, or how society treats us based on our position in society (class, race, age, etc.).

What Can I do With a Degree in Sociology?

There are a lot of things you can do with a degree in sociology. The American Sociological Association conducted a survey of sociology graduates in 2007 and found that over one quarter of students with a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology worked in the social services field. Students also went into management, marketing, and administrative support positions. They have a great page filled with reports that discuss both the positive and negative sides of a sociology degree.