Sociology

This list is not exhaustive but provides an idea of the options graduates have and what they have gone on to do. Some options are more directly associated with a Sociology degree than others.

Additionally, consider visiting the Career Cruising website. To locate the university’s username and password, you must login to Experience York using your Passport York information. It can be found under the “Career Education & Development” drop-down menu on the left then under “Career Development Tools”. 

Here are just a few of the skills a Sociology degree will help you develop:

Core Sociology Skills

• Comprehensive knowledge of social causes and issues and their consequences, including social relations and power dynamics, and the ways in which human action and consciousness both shape and are shaped by surrounding cultural and social structures
• The ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative social research
• The ability to gather various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work, be it individual or in the context of group work in any professional environment
• The ability to understand of issues of diversity and equity in contemporary society and institutional settings, especially issues of racialization, gender and disability and intercultural awareness

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

• An ability to organize, understand and analyze new sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
• Deduction of information from various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
• An ability to prepare oral and written presentations and reports using current data and technology
• The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands
• The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound and well-reasoned decisions while considering different sides of each argument

Management and Teamwork

• The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
• Logical thinking skills and the ability to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
• Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task
• The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.

• Canadian Sociological Association
• Ontario Association of Social Workers
• Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
• Ontario Mental Health Association
• Keele Department of Sociology
• Glendon Department of Sociology