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First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from California State University-Long Beach we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Sociology graduates from California State University-Long Beach have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 14% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Sociology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 35% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from California State University-Long Beach with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdministrative Assistant Vista Del Mar Aug 2016 - Dec 2018 Administrative Manager  Vista Del Mar Dec 2018 - Present ABOUTA dynamic and result-oriented professional with extensive experience in office management, supervision, and administration. Provides confidential support to senior and high-level officials to ensure compliance with company objectives. Collaborates well with all organizational levels. Bilingual in English and Spanish. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook), Tier, MyEvolv, and Google Suite. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job paths of people who have studied Sociology at California State University-Long Beach, it seems like a mixed bag. A lot of graduates find themselves in roles that are somewhat related to their degree, particularly in fields like human resources, healthcare, and social work. For example, jobs like Social Worker, Health Services Representative, and Specialized Behavioral Aide directly apply sociological principles in understanding social dynamics and human behavior. It's clear that in these roles, they're leveraging their education to make a tangible impact on communities and individuals.
However, many graduates end up in positions that aren't heavily reliant on their sociology training. For instance, roles like Pharmacy Technician, Claims Manager, and Sales Associate focus more on technical skills or customer service without a strong connection to sociological concepts. While some positions, like Human Resource Coordinator and Knowledge Management Specialist, may benefit from a sociological perspective, they don't fundamentally require it. So overall, while there are definitely some grads using their sociology training effectively, a lot of them are also venturing into jobs that don’t directly correlate with what they studied. It's a bit of a mixed message: Sociology offers valuable insights, but many jobs just don't tap into those insights on a daily basis.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sociology graduates (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from California State University-Long Beach who studied Sociology, it's clear that there's a mix of success and a bit of a mismatch with their degree. For many of them, their first jobs post-graduation often lean towards roles in human resources, administrative positions, or even specialized entry-level jobs like social work. For instance, some got into HR roles right after graduation, which aligns well with what Sociology teaches about social systems and human behavior.
However, as time goes on—like five to ten years later—it seems we see a lot of variation. Some graduates have climbed the ladder in HR, moving from coordinators to supervisors, which is great! Others have taken paths that don't seem obviously related to Sociology, like sales and administrative roles. A few have found their niche in social work and services, which is totally in line with their studies. So, while there are definitely folks who found relevant careers that utilize their Sociology background, there are also quite a few who ended up in jobs that don't directly relate, indicating that a Sociology degree can lead to diverse career paths, sometimes by chance rather than a direct plan.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at California State University-Long Beach can be pretty manageable, especially compared to some other majors. The coursework often involves a lot of reading, writing, and discussing different social issues, which can be challenging, but it’s also fascinating. Most students find it engaging because you get to explore real-world problems and human behaviors. If you stay on top of your assignments and contribute to class discussions, you'll likely do just fine. It might not be a walk in the park, but it’s definitely not the hardest degree out there—many people find it to be a good balance of work and interesting content.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
So, looking at these graduates from California State University-Long Beach, it seems like they're on pretty different paths when it comes to making decent money. The ones in HR, claims management, and sales roles often have the potential to earn a good salary, especially with years of experience under their belts. Those who transitioned into the nonprofit sector or education, like social work and teaching roles, typically earn less, but they might find a lot of fulfillment in their work. Some roles, especially in healthcare or management positions, likely pay decently -- think about how much a Hospital’s Senior Health Representative makes! Overall, it kinda looks like most of them are doing okay, but there definitely are some who might be just scraping by, depending on what field they’re in.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sociology (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Long Beach). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sociology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sociology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
