What can you do with a Sociology degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Sociology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 54% 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:

View a random Sociology graduate from Indiana University Bloomington and our analysis:


Relevance score: 48%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Family Case Manager
Indiana Department Of Child Services
Sep 2013 - Jun 2016
As a Family Case Manager at the Indiana Department of Child Services, this job directly applies the knowledge and skills from a Sociology degree, particularly in understanding family dynamics and social support systems.

Family Case Manager
Indiana Department Of Child Services
Jun 2016 - Jul 2017
Continuing as a Family Case Manager, the role again directly utilizes sociological concepts and skills in social care and intervention strategies.

IT Operations Support for the Management Information Center
Vincennes University
Jan 2018 - Jul 2020
The position in IT Operations Support involves some general knowledge about systems and data that may tangentially relate to Sociology in terms of organizational behavior but lacks direct relevance to the core qualifications of the degree.

Administrative Assistant
U.S. Department of Labor
Jul 2020 - Nov 2022
As an Administrative Assistant at the U.S. Department of Labor, this job does not require sociology-specific skills or knowledge, focusing instead on administrative duties unrelated to the field.

Security Assistant
NSA Crane
Nov 2022 - Present
The role of Security Assistant at NSA Crane does not necessitate any knowledge or skills specific to sociology, concentrating rather on security protocols and operational tasks unrelated to the degree.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When you look at the jobs that people with a sociology degree from Indiana University Bloomington have landed, a mixed bag emerges. A substantial number have gone into roles that seem to steer clear of sociology’s core concepts, like administrative positions or sales jobs. For instance, roles such as Office Manager or Sales Executive appear mainly administrative or sales-focused, with little connection to the sociological skills one might expect to gain from their studies. Even in fields like physical therapy, while there’s a nod to social dynamics in patient care, the primary expertise required is in physical health rather than sociology itself.

On the flip side, there are notable exceptions where sociology graduates have found roles that directly engage with their field of study. Positions like Family Case Manager at the Indiana Department of Child Services, or even Legal Clerks working on immigration law, show a strong relevance to sociology, utilizing skills such as understanding family dynamics and societal structures. Moreover, roles in counseling and behavioral health also indicate a solid application of sociological principles. Overall, while a good number of jobs aren’t directly relevant to sociology, graduates have successfully channeled their knowledge into specific fields that benefit from a sociological perspective, particularly in social services and law. So, yeah, it really varies from person to person and job to job!

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 Indiana University Bloomington):

What kind of career trajectories do Sociology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of Sociology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington, you can see a mix of paths that range from directly related fields to those that are more of a stretch from what you might expect with a Sociology degree. For many graduates, their first jobs tend to be quite varied, often leaning towards administrative support, sales, or roles in social services. For example, some landed roles like Family Case Manager or sales positions right after graduation, while others started in completely different fields such as physical therapy or restaurant management. This variety suggests that while some found jobs that tapped directly into their Sociology training, many took roles in different areas that might not be directly tied to their degree right off the bat.

After about five to ten years, however, the picture starts to clarify a bit more. A number of graduates shift into more specialized roles that leverage their Sociology background, often pivoting towards areas like marketing, law, or even healthcare. For instance, we see individuals transitioning to positions like Associate Attorney or even owning their own businesses, which speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit that a Sociology degree can foster. Others maintained a focus on social services or education, reflecting a continued commitment to working in fields where understanding societal dynamics is key. Overall, while some graduates may have taken varied paths initially, many eventually find their way into careers that align more closely with their Sociology studies, showcasing both flexibility and the diverse applications of a Sociology education. It’s not unusual to see that the degree opens doors in a variety of fields, but the real connection often develops over time as people establish their interests and expertise.

How hard is a Sociology degree from Indiana University Bloomington?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Indiana University Bloomington, like many other places, has its challenges, but it’s generally considered a manageable path for most students. The coursework can get pretty interesting, diving into social behavior, culture, and relationships, and while some classes might have heavy readings or require critical thinking and analysis, it’s not usually more difficult than average compared to other liberal arts majors. If you’re someone who enjoys engaging with social issues and can handle writing papers and participating in discussions, you’ll likely find it to be a fulfilling experience that’s not overly stressful. Just keep up with the assignments, and you should be fine!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington tend to make good money?

Looking at these Sociology grads from Indiana University Bloomington, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them have climbed the ladder into higher-paying roles, especially those who moved into fields like physical therapy or law, where salaries can be pretty solid. However, others seem to be in jobs that likely pay more on the lower end of the scale, like servers or administrative roles. Plus, with various grads bouncing around in different jobs over the years, it appears some may have taken longer to find a well-paying position or have opted to start their own businesses, which can be a gamble financially. Overall, it looks like while some are making decent money, others might still be working their way up the income ladder.

What buzzwords do Sociology graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Indiana University Bloomington). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Sociology?

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:

College Score Count
Hunter College 79 12
California State University, Long Beach 76 25
Boston College 76 12
California State University-San Bernardino 75 25
Grand Canyon University 74 17
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 72 12
Montclair State University 71 10
DePaul University 70 11
University of California, Davis 69 14
Illinois State University 69 17
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 69 15
California State University San Marcos 69 16
San Francisco State University 68 16
University of North Florida 68 11
Stony Brook University 68 12
California State University, Fullerton 67 22
University of California, Riverside 67 53
University of West Georgia 67 13
Brigham Young University 65 19
San Diego State University 65 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 65 23
University of Maryland College Park 65 14
University of Central Florida 64 22
University of Wisconsin-Madison 64 13
California State University, Northridge 64 24
UC Irvine 64 15
Colorado College 64 11
University of Colorado Boulder 63 17
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 63 16
University of Virginia 63 16
California State University-Northridge 63 16
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College 63 12
California State University - East Bay 62 17
Norfolk State University 62 10
California State University-Los Angeles 61 12
Texas A&M University 60 37
University of California, Berkeley 60 33
Louisiana State University 60 14
The University of Texas at San Antonio 60 12
The University of Texas at Austin 59 23
University of California, Santa Barbara 58 23
California State University-Dominguez Hills 58 21
University of Florida 57 24
Florida International University 57 10
University of California, Los Angeles 57 48
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 57 10
Sonoma State University 57 16
University of Michigan 56 11
California State University-Sacramento 55 37
North Carolina State University 54 10
California State University-Long Beach 54 14
California State University, Chico 54 13
University of Arizona 53 15
University of Utah 53 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 53 14
Queens College 53 22
University at Albany, SUNY 53 23
The Ohio State University 52 13
San Jose State University 52 23
Texas Tech University 52 10
Kennesaw State University 52 15
Florida State University 51 22
Georgia State University 51 30
Arizona State University 50 29
University of North Texas 50 22
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 50 11
California State University, Los Angeles 50 17
Indiana University Bloomington 49 11
Florida Atlantic University 49 19
University of Oregon 49 22
Brigham Young University - Idaho 48 11
James Madison University 47 11
University of Oklahoma 47 12
Western Washington University 46 16
UC Santa Barbara 46 40
Christopher Newport University 46 11
University of Washington 45 30
UCLA 43 11
Towson University 42 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 42 14
Ashford University 41 20
The University of Georgia 39 10