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First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from Illinois State University 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Sociology graduates from Illinois State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) 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, 52% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Sociology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdmissions Advisor Chamberlain University Jul 2022 - Jun 2023 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of SociologyIllinois State University 2023 - 2025 ABOUTI am a 2022 college graduate from Illinois State University. I received my Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies. I am extremely adaptable and have honed my skills during my time as an Academic Peer Advisor for University College. I am currently working on completing my masters degree in Sociology. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job paths of graduates from Illinois State University who majored in Sociology, it's clear that many have found themselves in roles related to social work, mental health, and community services. Positions like Child Welfare Specialist, Case Manager, and Crisis Counselor are all directly relevant because they involve applying sociological concepts about family dynamics, social systems, and community support. Graduates in these roles are using the principles they learned in school to make a tangible difference in people's lives, often working closely with families or individuals facing challenges.
However, not all the jobs are closely tied to sociology. Some graduates have branched out into areas like Human Resources or customer service roles, which may touch upon sociological ideas but don't heavily rely on them. Even positions in management or sales often seem to stray from the core sociological skills. On the whole, while many graduates have found fulfilling careers closely connected to their sociology background, there’s a noticeable number involved in roles that are only peripherally related, indicating that a degree in sociology can lead to diverse job opportunities beyond social science itself.
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 Illinois State University):
Looking at the career paths of Sociology graduates from Illinois State University, it's clear that many of them have pursued fields that relate directly to social services and mental health after earning their degrees. For their first jobs, you'll find a lot of them stepping into roles like Child Welfare Specialists, Case Managers, and various positions in foster care and community outreach. This shows a strong inclination towards careers that focus on helping others and addressing societal issues right from the start, which is pretty much what you'd expect from a Sociology background.
As you move along the timeline, about five to ten years down the line, many graduates seem to have progressed into more specialized roles or moved into administrative and educational positions. For instance, several have taken up roles like Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Specialists, and even university faculty positions, indicating that they're not just staying in entry-level jobs but advancing and diversifying their careers. While there are examples of graduates who have veered off into non-related areas, such as positions in customer service or corporate sectors, the majority appear to have found their niches within the social services and counseling realms. Overall, it looks like these graduates are making meaningful contributions to society, leveraging their Sociology education effectively as they grow in their careers.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology isn’t typically considered super hard, especially when you compare it to some of the more rigorous STEM majors. At Illinois State University, you’ll dive into topics like social behavior, culture, and research methods, which can be pretty interesting. It does involve a fair amount of reading, writing papers, and analyzing data, but if you’re generally engaged with social issues and enjoy discussions about people and society, you’ll likely find it manageable. Of course, like any degree, it’ll have its tough spots, but most students find it to be a pretty doable path if they stay organized and keep up with the coursework!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
So, looking at these Sociology grads from Illinois State University, it seems like they're kind of all over the place when it comes to making decent money. Some of them have landed jobs in social services and mental health that can be rewarding but often pay on the lower end, especially in the nonprofit sector, like those working as Child Welfare Specialists or Crisis Counselors. Others have pursued roles in more corporate settings or shifted toward specialized positions in healthcare or finance, which typically offer better salaries—like the Financial Analyst and Healthcare Economics Analyst positions, which likely pay pretty well. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag: some might be doing okay financially, while others are probably still in that struggling-for-a-decent-paycheck stage.
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 Illinois State University). 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:
