What is Sociology?
Sociology is a Social Science that asks big questions and focuses on understanding and analyzing our complex social world. Sociology examines:
- How inequalities are created and maintained
- The impact of race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability on individual life chances
- Institutions such as families, workplaces, prisons, states, and schools
- The role of ideas and symbols in shaping social relations and institutions
- Processes such as globalization, democratization, immigration, and more
What makes Sociology at UTSC unique?
An exciting range of courses specifically designed to develop your writing and research skills – be sure to look for them!
Skills of Sociology Grads
- Explain important differences in the life experiences of people
- Present sociological explanations of social issues Identify / explain the impact and consequences of social policy and social institutions
- Make an evidence-based argument
- Work with people who differ in race, ethnicity, gender or class
- Write a report that can be understood by a broad audience
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different research methods
- Analyze and interpret results of various quantitative and qualitative data using tables and graphs
Key Source: ASA, Social Capital, Organizational Capital, and the Job Market for New Sociology Graduates Survey, 2012
Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Grads
Common employment destinations include:
- Service/Sales Consultant in Business Services
- Junior Account Manager in Financial/Consulting/Other Services
- Outreach Worker in Community Services
- Risk Analyst in Security Agencies
- Research Associate in Marketing Agencies
- Donor Relations Coordinator in Charities
- Case Manager in Social/Government Services
- Communications Assistant in Marketing
- Market Research Analyst in Corporations
- Human Resource Assistant in Businesses
Sociology Grads from UTSC have gone on to:
- UN High Commission on Refugees (Intern)
- Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (Policy Advisor)
- Travel and Leisure webzine (Marketing)
UTSC Sociology graduates are working in Education, Marketing, and Administration.
Graduate & Professional Studies
Popular further education opportunities include:
- Sociology – Master of Arts
- Social Work – Bachelor or Master
- Education – Bachelor or Master
- Public Health – Master
- Law School – JD (Juris Doctor)
- Paralegal Studies – Diploma
- Human Resources – Certificate (earning CHRP)
- Marketing – Post-Graduate Certificate
Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of Sociology Grads
- Non-Profit Causes (Poverty, Human Rights)
- Government (Federal, Provincial, Regional, City)
- Social Work and Healthcare
- Human Resources and Recruiting
- Marketing and Communications
- Education
- Financial Services
- Law / Legal Services Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan 3 Build
Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan
1. Do Your Research
The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:
- Career Cruising: Log into cln.utoronto.ca, click on Resources, and click on Career Cruising to be logged in automatically
- O*Net: online.onetcenter.org (U.S. site)
Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.
Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:
- Information Interviews
- Working On-Campus
- Internships
- Volunteering
2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience
Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:
- Extern Job Shadowing
- In the Field
- Explore It! (course-based)
- Partners in Leadership (4th year students)
- iLead, uLead, weLead (Department of Student Life)
- Employer Information Sessions
- Career & Volunteer Fairs
- Departmental Student Association Events
Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.
Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.
As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.
As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.
3. Build Your Network
Explore Professional Associations and get involved: volunteer for their events and conferences, and get to know people in your industry of interest. These are your future mentors, supervisors and colleagues!
- Students Of Sociology
- American Sociological Association
- Canadian Sociological Association
- Ontario College of Social Workers
- Canadian Marketing Association
- Association for Financial Professionals
- Law Society of Upper Canada
- Human Resource Professionals Association
- Canadian Association of College & University Student Services
Other associations and websites for finding networking opportunities and experience include:
- Canadian Community Social Planning Councils
- Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Please note: This document is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Sociology website.