What can you do with a Sociology degree from San Diego State University?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from San Diego 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Sociology graduates from San Diego State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 65%
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 33% 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 San Diego State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 75%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's of Social Science in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Office Automation Clerk
US Army Corps of Engineers
Jul 2014 - Oct 2014
The role of Office Automation Clerk does not require any specific skills or knowledge related to sociology, focusing instead on administrative and clerical tasks.

Sales Representative
A Wireless - Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer
Oct 2014 - May 2015
The Sales Representative position may involve interpersonal communication and an understanding of social dynamics, which could be relevant to sociology, but does not fundamentally require sociological knowledge as core qualifications.

Emergency Medical Technician
United States Air Force
Nov 2014 - Present
As an Emergency Medical Technician in the Air Force, this role may use knowledge of social behavior and crisis intervention techniques learned in sociology, making it directly relevant.

Police Aide Administrative
City of Fairburn
Apr 2016 - Present
The Police Aide Administrative position could involve some understanding of community relations and social structures, providing a link to sociology, but it primarily revolves around administrative tasks rather than direct application of sociological principles.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Masters in Health Service Management
Argosy University
2014 - 2016
ABOUT

Integrity, persistence, and a competitive spirit have underscored employment and academic successes where meeting deadlines, achieving goals, and using measured judgment have been crucial to delivering results. A commitment to learning, a willingness to seek information, and independent work habits have served to produce well-defined research, created superior reports, and hone communications to a high professional level. Reputation as a quiet achieve reflects capacity to pursue business objectives, maintain focus, and partner with others to meet a common goal. Possess spirit optimism, self-discipline, and a work ethic that transcends the nine-to-five boundaries.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from San Diego State University?

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


From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of San Diego State University sociology graduates, it seems like many of them have gravitated toward roles in project management, sales, and customer relations. Jobs like Project Administrator, Sales Manager, and Account Manager pop up frequently, suggesting that graduates are often taking on positions that require organizational skills and business acumen rather than deep sociological understanding. While some of these roles may benefit from a touch of sociological insight—like grasping social dynamics or understanding consumer behavior—the core responsibilities don't heavily lean on sociology principles.

However, not all graduates are straying from their sociology roots. Positions like Social Worker, Case Manager, and Behavioral Technician highlight a strong connection to sociology, where graduates can actively apply their knowledge of social structures and human interactions. These roles show that while many sociology majors find themselves in fields that seem loosely related, there are also plenty who are putting their education to good use in areas directly tied to social work and community engagement. Overall, it seems like graduates often end up in a variety of jobs, with some being highly relevant to their studies and others drifting into more generic business roles.

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 San Diego State University):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates with a Sociology degree from San Diego State University, it's clear that their trajectories are quite varied. Many seem to start off in roles that are not directly linked to sociology, like project management, sales, and administrative positions. For instance, the graduates from 2010 and 2011 largely ventured into areas like event coordination, teaching, and medical documentation, which might not scream "Sociology," but there are definitely elements of social interaction and community service involved. Even though their initial jobs may seem like a bit of a stretch from the field of sociology, they often gain valuable skills like communication and project management that can be beneficial later in their careers.

As they progress, some of these graduates have managed to steer their careers back toward more sociology-related fields. For instance, the class of 2013 saw a graduate become a social worker, showcasing a direct application of their sociology background. Fast forward 5 to 10 years later, and a few graduates are holding positions that tap into their sociology roots, like project management roles at organizations that deal with social issues, or social work in healthcare settings. Overall, while many alumni might start out in unrelated jobs, there seems to be a trend towards more sociology-centric roles as they gain experience and find their niche, especially in social services and community-focused work. So, it's a mixed bag – some find their way back to the core of sociology, while others drift into different fields, which can be pretty common post-graduation!

How hard is a Sociology degree from San Diego State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at San Diego State University isn't the hardest route you can take, but it definitely has its challenges. Sociology involves a lot of reading and writing, which can be tricky if you’re not a fan of analyzing texts or piecing together complex ideas about society and behavior. You’ll dive into topics like social justice, family dynamics, and cultural differences, which can be really interesting, but some classes may have hefty research projects or theories to grasp. Overall, it's more about engaging with the material and developing critical thinking skills than sheer difficulty, so if you're passionate about understanding people and society, it can feel pretty manageable!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.

Do Sociology graduates from San Diego State University tend to make good money?

Alright, let’s break down how these Sociology grads from San Diego State University are doing in the job market. It seems like some of them have climbed up the career ladder pretty well, especially the ones who graduated in 2012 and earlier, landing roles like Senior Project Manager and Director of Project Management which usually pay decent salaries. But for others, particularly the more recent grads, they seem to be starting out in more entry-level positions or internships, which likely aren’t paying the big bucks just yet. Overall, if you’re looking at the earlier classes, they seem to have found some solid gigs that could provide good income, while the newer grads are still figuring things out and might not be raking in as much money right off the bat.

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 San Diego State 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