What can you do with a Sociology degree from James Madison University?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from James Madison 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 47%, Sociology graduates from James Madison University have a much lower likelihood (-20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 47%
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, only 27% 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:

View a random Sociology graduate from James Madison University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 21%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Guest Services Associate
European Wax Center
Jun 2020 - Apr 2022
The role of Guest Services Associate at European Wax Center does not involve any specific skills or knowledge from a Sociology degree, focusing instead on customer service and client interaction.

Sales Advisor
H&M
Dec 2020 - Apr 2022
As a Sales Advisor at H&M, the position primarily requires sales and customer service skills, which are not directly related to the knowledge gained in a Sociology program.

Visual Merchandiser
H&M
Apr 2022 - Feb 2023
The Visual Merchandiser role at H&M may involve some understanding of social behaviors and consumer psychology, but it does not heavily rely on the core qualifications of a Sociology degree.

Business Coordinator
Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC
Feb 2023 - May 2024
The position of Business Coordinator at Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC may utilize some organizational skills and general awareness of social dynamics, yet it does not directly require Sociology expertise.

Executive Assistant and Operations
ITegrity, Inc. - A trusted 8(a) Technology, Engineering, and Management Services Provider
May 2024 - Present
The Executive Assistant role at ITegrity, Inc. may benefit from interpersonal skills relevant to Sociology, but it does not necessitate knowledge in the field as a core qualification, focusing more on administrative tasks.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from James Madison University?

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


When looking at the careers of graduates with a Sociology degree from James Madison University, it seems like they’ve landed in a pretty interesting mix of jobs, but not all of them are closely tied to their field of study. Many have taken paths in education, like teaching or academic roles, which definitely lean on their sociology knowledge. For example, positions like instructors and social sciences educators show that they have been able to apply their understanding of social structures and theories in a classroom setting, making those jobs highly relevant to sociology. On the flip side, a good number of graduates have found jobs that don’t directly relate to sociology. Roles in customer service, real estate, and even sports seem to dominate the list, where the use of sociological concepts is often pretty minimal. While some jobs, like being a Behavioral Health Technician or a Family Consultant, utilize sociological insights effectively to navigate human behavior and relational dynamics, a lot of roles, especially in places like GEICO or sales, don’t really tap into their sociology background. So, while there are definitely relevant positions out there, many graduates have ended up in jobs that don’t fully utilize their sociology degree. It’s a bit of a mixed bag!

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 James Madison University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of Sociology graduates from James Madison University, there seems to be a mixed bag of outcomes. Right after graduating, many alumni land roles in education, social services, and various support positions. For instance, some started as teachers or instructors, which is directly connected to their studies in Sociology, where they can apply their understanding of human behavior and social structures. Others took on roles in organizations that focus on mental health and community services, which are also relevant fields for Sociology majors. However, a substantial number seem to drift into jobs that aren’t closely related to their degree, like claims adjusters at insurance companies or managing roles in retail or services.

Now, fast-forwarding five to ten years, some graduates appear to find their footing in careers tied to their Sociology background. Positions at health services or educational institutions suggest that they’ve built on their undergraduate experiences and maybe even furthered their education. Still, there are quite a few who seem to have shifted entirely into business or unrelated fields, such as real estate or various managerial roles. Overall, while many graduates are successfully working in fields where they can utilize their Sociology training, there are also those who end up in jobs that don’t reflect the specialized skills and knowledge they gained during their studies. It's a bit of a mixed picture, but there are definitely paths to rewarding careers for those who leverage their Sociology degree effectively!

How hard is a Sociology degree from James Madison University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at James Madison University, like many places, falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to difficulty. It’s not as intense as some STEM degrees, but it does require a fair amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll be diving into topics about society, culture, and human behavior, which can definitely be fascinating but also can get complex. If you enjoy analyzing things and have a good grasp on writing essays, you might find it pretty manageable. Just be ready to engage with a lot of theories and research – it won’t be a walk in the park, but it’s definitely doable if you stay organized and interested!

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 James Madison University tend to make good money?

When you look at what these Sociology grads from James Madison University have been up to, it’s a mixed bag in terms of earnings. Some have managed to land solid roles in education or health services, which can pay decently over time, especially if they move up the ladder in those fields. But others started off in entry-level positions, like secretarial work or teaching, which aren't typically high-paying gigs. Plus, stuff like professional basketball might sound great, but the stability and income can be unpredictable. Overall, some seem to have found their way to decent paychecks, especially those in clinical roles and management, while others are still grinding through roles that won't necessarily pay the bills well long-term. It just goes to show that the path after college can really vary!

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 James Madison University). 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