Former students explain how their sociology coursework positively influenced their careers and personal lives. In the testimonials that follow, students note that the critical thinking, research, and collaborative skills they gained from sociology have contributed to their professional and personal success.
“Comparative sociology was a natural stepping-stone into the field of special education. I am a teacher who works with children aged birth through 5 and their caregivers as they enter early intervention and special education services in the Minnesota public school system. In college, I learned to be curious about how teams work, how schools function (also how they fail), social problems, equity issues, inclusion, and family systems. I learned to be an observer and a listener first, before speaking and diving into “problem-solving mode.” Undergraduate exercises in quantitative/qualitative research were helpful preparation; I learned the importance of centering my work around ethical treatment of all people. In my job, I conduct highly detailed evaluations using various assessment tools and share results with caregivers, teachers, and various clinicians. It’s a privilege to work with young children and their families as they first enter the public school system.”
–Laura Berquist, Special Education Teacher, Saint Paul Public Schools, Minnesota
“My sociology major has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of societal structures, power dynamics, and systemic injustices, which has profoundly influenced both my professional and personal life.
Intellectually, my sociological education has provided me with critical thinking skills to analyze complex social issues, such as environmental injustice. Through coursework, I gained insights into the intersectionality of race, class, and gender, allowing me to comprehend the multifaceted nature of the Flint Water Crisis and similar environmental disasters. This intellectual foundation has been invaluable in my role as the National Director of Youth Environmental Justice Programs for Young, Gifted & Green. It informs my approach to educating and empowering youth, helping them understand the root causes of environmental disparities and inspiring them to advocate for change.
Substantively, sociology has equipped me with theoretical frameworks and empirical research methods to examine societal phenomena systematically. I apply sociological concepts such as environmental racism and community resilience to inform program development and policy advocacy, ensuring that our initiatives address the structural inequalities perpetuating environmental injustices. For example, my leadership of a summer camp in Flint integrates sociological insights with public health education, fostering a holistic understanding of environmental issues among youth and cultivating future environmental activists.
Methodologically, my sociological training emphasizes rigorous empirical analysis and community-based research methodologies. This approach allows me to conduct needs assessments and program evaluations that center the voices and experiences of marginalized communities, ensuring that our interventions are responsive to their lived realities. By applying sociological research methods, I can generate evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges, amplifying the demands for justice and accountability.
Outside of work, my sociological education has been meaningful and impactful in fostering empathy, cultural competency, and social consciousness. It has enriched my personal relationships and interactions, enabling me to navigate diverse social contexts with sensitivity and awareness. Moreover, sociology has instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility toward social justice, motivating me to engage in community organizing, advocacy, and allyship beyond my professional endeavors. Whether by participating in grassroots movements, volunteering at local organizations, or amplifying marginalized voices through storytelling, I leverage my sociological insights to contribute meaningfully to collective efforts for social change.
In summary, my sociology major has profoundly shaped my intellectual, substantive, and methodological approaches to addressing environmental injustice and advancing social justice more broadly. It has equipped me with the analytical tools, theoretical perspectives, and ethical principles I need to effect positive change in my community and beyond, reflecting my unwavering commitment to creating a more just and equitable world.”
–Dionna Brown, Youth EJ Programs, National Director, Young, Gifted & Green
“My sociology degree laid the foundation for a successful marketing career. While I have a BS in sociology, I have a minor in marketing and knew that I couldn’t market anything to anyone without deeply understanding human behavior. Understanding the way people think, cultural nuances, and how family dynamics impact education and buying behavior is the only reason I can create successful marketing campaigns.
Studying sociology instead of marketing allowed me to get into people’s heads in a helpful (not creepy) way. It helped me learn that regardless of what I’m marketing or trying to sell, people want the same things: to be seen, heard, and understood. Crafting marketing messages based on human behavior in addition to data and metrics is a skill that has led to career success and longevity.
Outside of work, my sociology degree has helped me be a better parent. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting, and learning about how parents, together and individually, impact a child’s long-term success has given me the tools to parent more effectively.”
–Patricia Diaz, Agency Owner, Loudmouth Marketing
Featured Resource! TikTok/Instagram Contest Winners
View winning short videos from our TikTok and Instagram contest, wherein students share some of the ways what they’ve learned in a sociology class has been meaningful to them.
“I discovered an interest in sociology while completing core requirements for an undergraduate degree in elementary education. Little did I know that a college-level intro class would change the course of my educational path, my future career, and my life goals.
I ultimately changed my major to sociology and was able to take advantage of a number of hands-on opportunities to get involved with my community. Involvement in my university’s School of Sociology led me to two internships with local nonprofits, completion of an independent qualitative research project, presentation of my research at professional conferences, an Editor-in-Chief position for my university’s undergraduate research journal, and participation in ASA’s Academic Honors Program. All of these resulted in my being presented with the 2016 Indiana University South Bend Academic Excellence Award in Sociology. The academic and social skills I learned in and outside the classroom during my time as a sociology student helped prepare me for a successful post-graduation future.
My coursework in sociology, specifically, helped reframe my understanding of the world, society, and constructs of reality, allowing me to think more critically about my life experiences, the experiences of others, societal institutions, and society as a whole.
Courses on sociological theory, statistics, and research methods prepared me for the work I do today as an independent consultant for nonprofit community development organizations seeking public and private grant funding for affordable housing and other supportive services for low-income and unhoused populations.
As someone who loves the field of sociology and is applying the concepts and knowledge learned in a non-academic setting, I believe that educating, nurturing, and energizing emerging sociologists is vital to maintaining a humanized future in our capitalistic society.”
–Christine Deutscher, President/Owner, Neighborhood Development
“I am currently working as a campaign manager for a California State Assembly race, and I could not have done it without the experience I gained while studying sociology at Whittier College. There, my classes helped me realize that there was no singular, isolated, individual trouble. Everything can point to a public issue. For example, I learned that while the experience of being unhoused is extremely personal, it is also a social issue. Yet, most explanations of how individuals end up unhoused focus solely on the individual and ignore the underlying social reasons for their being in that situation. There are many social reasons that can explain why a person may experience housing insecurity and homelessness, including systems and structures that affect the level and quality of support an individual may have received.
Applying the lens of the sociological imagination transformed the way I approached creating a policy platform, interacting with constituents, and engaging with volunteers. Sociology really ingrained in me the interconnected aspects of our lives and truly informs how I lead people and share stories.”
–Anica Falcone-Juengert, Campaign Manager, California State Assembly Campaign
“Sociology has played a significant role in shaping my work and personal life. Through my sociological coursework at George Mason University, I have developed the ability to perceive people and situations in an unbiased manner. I have acquired analytical skills that enable me to identify problems and generate thoughtful solutions while considering the entire picture. One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned from my studies is that life is rarely black and white. Therefore, I strive to be more patient and empathetic toward people and situations.”
–Cecilia Gonzalez, Manager and Piercer, New Embassy Tattoo
“Sociology has taught me so much about the struggles of many social, racial, and identity-based groups within the world. It has taught me to expand my thinking and strengthen my empathy. It has also connected me to those who care about injustices in our society, who work to educate themselves and expand their mindset.”
–Jessica Guo, Student, University of Illinois at Chicago
Featured Resource! Sociological Insights: A Curated Collection of Videos
ASA’s Sociological Insights is a curated collection of short videos that feature sociologists sharing their expertise on some of today’s most pressing topics. Through their insights into diverse topics such as racism, evolving gender norms, the environment, poverty, religion, immigration, health care, criminal justice, and more, these scholars provide strong evidence of the value of sociology.
“Sociology coursework during my undergraduate studies significantly impacted my career path, the clarity of my purpose, and my life in general. I had planned on using my biology degree to pursue medical school, as was expected of me from a very young age. As soon as I got started, I began to have doubts but felt afraid to change my life path. As an elective, I stumbled upon my first sociology class, which discussed the health care disparities that existed in the United States. Participating in this class as an active student, writing papers, researching on my own, and building my knowledge entirely changed the way I thought about health care.
The class awoke a dormant passion in me: to advocate and to think critically to improve systems. This led me to several other undergraduate sociology courses, including those that focused on race, gender, sexuality, class, and intersections of these topics related to quality of life in the United States. I then made sociology my minor and wrote as many papers as I could on topics that made me excited to discuss and effect change. Moreover, my sociology professors taught me in unique styles that I didn’t know existed. Flipped classrooms, active discussions, empathy when I was struggling were all new to me (and different from the experience I had had in my biology classes). I was able to find role models and meaningful mentor relationships in these professors. This made me think that I could be a mentor like this in the future and I have tried my best to do so since graduating.
Taking sociology was in many ways the first step to changing my career path. I earned my master’s in public health. I am certified as a Health Education Specialist. I now manage and mentor undergraduate and graduate students who create community-based projects to mitigate various health problems in under-resourced environments.
I am forever grateful to my peers and professors from sociology who empowered me, taught me, and gave me the strength to pursue different paths. Beyond work, sociology has broadened the way I look at everything. Sociology is like an untapped superpower that activates inside of you once you know it exists. It changes the way you view the world and its problems, the people in your everyday life, the people you walk by on your commute. It teaches you grace and empathy. It forces you to think critically and hold yourself accountable to what you have learned. It forces you to grow your mindset and question what is happening. The best part about this superpower is that everyone can have it and it will keep growing in strength. But, to activate it, we must get the opportunity to learn about it.”
–Carol Jacob, Program Director, Albert Schweitzer Fellowship
“As a business professional with a background in sociology, I have found that my education has been a key factor in my success when it comes to improving operational efficiencies. Rather than pursuing a graduate degree, I saw an opportunity to apply my sociological knowledge in the workforce, and it has made all the difference.
My sociological lens allows me to dive deeper into understanding the human element within organizations, going beyond just data and processes. It has taught me to ask the right questions and seek out the underlying reasons behind the way things are done. This approach has been invaluable in my career, as it has enabled me to effectively manage stakeholders and advocate for the inclusion of the right participants in crucial operational improvements, thereby fostering a sense of collective collaboration.
By leveraging my understanding of social dynamics and communication patterns, I have been able to break down silos and connect teams from various departments in meaningful ways. This approach has not only addressed social aspects that might have otherwise been overlooked but has also contributed to the success of every project I’ve been involved in.
Ultimately, my passion lies at the intersection of people and processes, and I thrive on finding ways to bridge gaps and drive operational improvements. It is my background in sociology that has equipped me with the skills and perspective needed to excel in this area, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided me throughout my career.”
–Nicole Jones, Growth Operations Technical Specialist, Prosci
“My sociology major has had a profound impact on both my professional and personal life. Intellectually, it has provided me with a framework for understanding societal structures, power dynamics, and the interconnectedness of individuals and institutions. This perspective has been invaluable in my work in the fields of human rights, public interest, and social justice, where I often navigate complex systems and advocate for marginalized communities.
Substantively, my sociological education has shaped the way I approach issues and develop solutions. For example, in my role as a classroom environmental educator with SproutUp, I applied sociological theories to understand how socio-economic factors influence environmental attitudes and behaviors. This allowed me to tailor educational programs that resonated with diverse audiences and encouraged sustainable practices.
Methodologically, sociology has equipped me with research skills that are applicable across various disciplines. I learned how to design surveys, conduct interviews, and analyze data ethically and rigorously. These skills were instrumental during my internships at Planned Parenthood and the United States Green Chamber of Commerce, where I conducted research on reproductive rights and sustainable business practices.”
–M Jones-Zamora, Student, Santa Clara School of Law
“People are generally surprised to hear that someone in the facilities field has a degree in sociology instead of a trades license or degree in engineering. However, to me it was an easy transition. In general, a degree in sociology equips one with the ability to analyze and understand social structures, more specifically, organizational dynamics. My sociology coursework in statistics, research methods, and survey design—along with having had the opportunity to be a teaching assistant in my graduate school’s Sociology Department—have direct correlations to what I do in my career.
I manage the operational data systems for a large facilities department. Studying survey design has helped me in building surveys that allow my department to get useful feedback. I learned the framework for collecting, processing, and interpreting data from statistics and research methods coursework. Much of my work involves troubleshooting database issues. Data analysis has been integral to my career success. Being a teaching assistant showed me how much I enjoy sharing knowledge. As my company grows, I am continually training new employees on our software systems. The pedagogy I learned for working with undergraduate students is the same pedagogy I use when working with new employees.
From fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills to enhancing research abilities and facilitating effective communication and collaboration, sociology has provided me with a unique perspective and skill set that have been instrumental in my success as a facilities operations data systems manager.”
–Kimberly Kelley, Facilities Operations Data Systems Manager, Epic Systems
“It’s difficult to overstate the impact that sociology has had on my life. It was a course in medical sociology that introduced me to the profession of medicine, and I ultimately became a physician. That said, medical sociology (and similar courses in sociology) gave me the tools I needed to better understand the American healthcare system and the promises and perils of medicine. I entered medical school fully attuned to the dysfunction of the American healthcare system and the numerous dysfunctions in our broader social fabric that threaten the health of my patients. My background in sociology has allowed me to employ the “sociologist’s eye” to the care of patients (i.e., to better understanding their social, economic, and cultural contexts), and has led me to conduct research in public health and health policy to better elucidate the institutions and social forces at play in the lives of patients. Not only would I not be the physician and researcher I am today without sociology, but I likely wouldn’t have become a physician or researcher in the first place.”
–DJ Smithers, Internal Medicine Resident, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
“Sociology helps me see the world beyond my lens of personal experience, to see the systems in which we live so that I can reframe how I want to contribute to or change them. My sociology background also makes me a skilled performance manager within an organization.
I have worked in enrollment for adult education, made possible by employer-funded education benefits for America’s workforce.
My degree helps me navigate the world with an understanding of the systems that both oppress people and elevate people. I aspire to be on the side of history that elevates people in achieving their goals and living in alignment with their purpose.”
–Maria Soyka, Student Outreach and Community Manager, Thea Study
Featured Resource! Footnotes: A Magazine of the American Sociological Association
For more than 50 years, Footnotes (and its precursor, The American Sociologist) has highlighted the work of sociologists, frequently featuring the link between sociological knowledge and research and emerging societal issues and challenges. Access recent themed issues here:
- Celebrating 50 Years of the Minority Fellowship Program
- The Cost of Higher Education
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
- Sociological Careers in Practice Settings
- Sociological Insights on Mental Health
- Sociological Perspectives on Immigrants and Immigration
- Sociology and the Potential of Community-Engaged Scholarship
- Technology’s Role in Society: It’s Complicated
- Why the Environment Needs a Course Correction Now
“I spent many years in sociology courses as I learned how to evaluate the social constructs that permeate our lives. Sociology taught me to understand power and positionality, to evaluate micro and macro changes, and to apply the scientific method to the study of people. But what I learned is so much more than the subjects of textbooks and great scientists explaining why we do what we do (surprise: it’s not one thing, but things that vary greatly). Outside of my educational pursuits, I use sociology every day. Let me describe the ways.
- Change is constant. Despite headlines telling us that we are now living in an “unprecedented time,” change has always had a lengthy arm. How do you learn to approach change as a constant? A place to explore, instead of fear? A way to predict or think through the implications of those changes? In my own life, I’ve experienced massive changes in technology, the job market, housing supply, thoughts about families, the clothing trends (or recycled trends); heck, about every aspect of life has changed for everyone. Sociology taught me how to evaluate changes more broadly, and to think through the implications of what they mean for me, for my company, for my community.
- Change is opportunity. Companies invest literally billions of dollars in marketing and competitive intelligence to grow or navigate changing economic conditions. Do the results always benefit society? No. But my day job requires that I think about the implications of a changing competitive climate, by—guess what—surveying and interviewing people about how they think or feel. During the COVID pandemic, topics of investigation included how people thought about vaccinations, their doctors, virtual appointments, safety. Beyond COVID, it’s understanding the demographic implications of people chasing affordability and moving to markets they previously would never have considered. Tomorrow, maybe it’s trying to understand the implications of doctor shortages and failing hospitals. Now what? Simply seeing different opportunities, and different implications for at-risk groups.
- Change requires each of us to be able to develop an informed opinion, even with imprecise information. However, time will also reveal that what you thought you knew might be incorrect, so you must also learn how to change your own mind about what you thought you knew. Do I think every opinion I’ve ever espoused is top-notch, flawless, and unchanging? No. I’m wrong a lot of times, mostly because none of us has perfect information at the time we come across a decision point. A social scientist is willing to look at information at different times and to adjust their understanding. We must challenge ourselves to look at information that doesn’t come easily, that is easy to discount, and examine what its value reveals. Our collective curiosity pushes us to think beyond our own limitations, knowing that there is never a single answer, unchanging forever, but many potential answers with different implications. When you open your life this way, you see less rigidity in who you can become.
So, to lose sociology in my life would mean losing vision and perspective on almost everything. And what’s the point? So that I can gobble up someone else’s unchanging, flawless, misinformed answer? No way.”
–Ada Van Roekel, Market Research Professional, Colorado
“I am an international student majoring in sociology and minoring in philosophy at the University of California-Davis. As a sophomore, I had the opportunity to work, which allowed me to develop a passion for sociology. I worked for a media company spanning Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China, where I was responsible for the content team and operations department and dealt with customer groups from all walks of life and in all fields. In creating and writing content scripts, I learned to study social life and social systems. I operated the company’s media accounts, which developed in me a passion for studying social changes and development, and macro-level social systems and structures.
By studying sociology, I have become more focused on philanthropy and now serve as the philanthropy consultant of my student club. It is sociology that has helped me explore my hobbies and career life.
Sociology is a broad subject that involves psychology, economics, anthropology, etc. It helped me understand the development and organization of society, analyze social problems, envision potential solutions and improvement methods, and solve various problems in my work.
After completing my sociology degree at UC Davis, I will go to South America to explore social inequality problems, and I hope to write a book about my research one day. I firmly believe that sociology will have a huge impact and help my career in the future. Its inclusiveness and expansiveness will help me better adapt to this life.”
–Guanyi Wang, Student, University of California-Davis
“In August 2018, I enrolled at East Carolina University as a nontraditional transfer student. I had taken various classes at community colleges and was actually one course shy of earning an associate degree. As a prior criminal justice major in community college, I had entered the criminal justice field as a correctional officer and held that position for six years before leaving and enrolling full-time as an undergraduate student at East Carolina. As an individual who loves culture, languages, and diversity, I already fit the mold of a sociologist-in-the-making, but I just didn’t know it yet.
I enrolled at East Carolina as a Hispanic studies major before switching later to criminal justice. As a prerequisite of the criminal justice major, I had to take the Introduction to Sociology course. That’s how I fell in love with the field of sociology. The professor had set up the course in a beautiful way. Although we didn’t really have a standard textbook, she taught us sociology by using real-world examples from her life to show us how sociological theories and concepts were displayed in very tangible ways. We had two books for her course. One was an older book called An Invitation to Sociology and the other was a book called The Dancer’s Gift. The Dancer’s Gift was a more modern book that taught sociological theories and concepts through the real-world experiences of the main character. After taking this course, I knew that I was going to change my major to sociology, and I was going to start my journey to becoming a sociologist and sociology professor.
As a sociology undergraduate student and a sociology graduate student, I took various courses that assisted in expanding my knowledge of the field. I took courses on modern social problems as well as theoretical perspectives and applications. One of my professors assigned seven books that explored several different aspects of the field—such as one covering climate change, one covering a KKK member whose world views were changed on a college campus, and one by Bryan Stevenson covering incarceration. I really enjoyed and learned a lot from the books in that course. They opened my eyes and improved my understanding of the world around me. I also took courses on race and ethnicity, environmental sociology, urban sociology, politics and economics, religion, marriage and the family, aging, methods of research, and social statistics.
I remain adamant that I have learned more as a sociology major than I have in the span of my life leading up to that point. Sociology cast my time in corrections, as well as my daily observations, in a completely different light. Sociology will also help me as I start my PhD program this fall.”
–Jordan Ziglar, Member Services Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh-Campus Recreation
