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

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from Sonoma 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Sociology graduates from Sonoma State University have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 57%
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, 37% 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 Sonoma State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 85%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Genius
Apple
May 2014 - Feb 2017
The Genius position at Apple may involve some customer interaction and problem-solving skills, which can be somewhat related to sociology, but it does not require a deep understanding of sociological concepts or methods.

Project Facilitator
Apple
Aug 2017 - Mar 2018
As a Project Facilitator at Apple, this role likely requires an understanding of team dynamics and project management, which aligns well with principles learned in sociology.

Human Factors Associate
Apple
Mar 2018 - Nov 2019
The Human Factors Associate position likely applies sociological and psychological principles to enhance user experiences, making it highly relevant to the sociology degree.

Human Factors Engineer
Apple
Nov 2019 - Feb 2023
The Human Factors Engineer role directly involves understanding human behavior and societal factors, which are core aspects of a sociology background.

Research Operations Engineer
Apple
Feb 2023 - Present
Research Operations Engineer often requires sociological principles to understand usability and interactions, thus making it very relevant to the Bachelors degree in Sociology.

ABOUT

In my role as Research Operations Engineer at Apple, with over five years of dedicated experience in human factors and research, I've honed a unique blend of technical expertise and operations acumen. My journey began in human factors, evolving into research operations where my competencies in moderation have been pivotal. At the core, my mission is to foster a culture of innovation; leveraging my skills to enrich user experiences and streamline research processes.

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

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


When taking a look at the job paths of people who graduated with a Sociology degree from Sonoma State University, it seems like they have ventured into a wide array of professions. A significant chunk of graduates ended up in teaching and counseling roles, especially in educational settings, where they can apply their understanding of social dynamics and human behavior. For instance, positions like ESL Instructor, Physical Education Teacher, and even Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee reflect an inclination toward helping others and understanding complex social issues. These jobs often require a grasp of interpersonal skills and social awareness, which are foundational aspects of a sociology education.

However, there's also a notable trend where many graduates found themselves in roles that seem only loosely tied to sociology. Jobs like Project Manager or Operations Manager primarily focus on administrative or technical aspects and don't really leverage sociological principles. While there's some relevance in areas like human resources or customer service, the direct application of sociology frequently feels minimal. So, although many have secured jobs that resonate with their educational background, there are plenty who have drifted into roles where sociology isn't at the forefront of their day-to-day work. Overall, while there are exceptions, it appears that the connection to sociology in many careers isn't always as strong as one might hope.

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 Sonoma State University):

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

Graduates from Sonoma State University who majored in Sociology seem to have taken a variety of career paths after graduation. For many, their first jobs were often rooted in education, counseling, or social services, reflecting the skills and knowledge they gained during their studies. Positions like teaching, counseling, and community outreach roles appear to be common entry points. Over the first few years post-graduation, many of these graduates transitioned into roles such as mental health counselors, case managers, and educators, which align well with Sociology's focus on human behavior and societal structures. There are also individuals who ventured into corporate roles, especially in tech companies like Apple, showing that some graduates may leverage their sociology background in environments focused on user experience and social implications of technology.

Looking further down the line—around five to ten years after graduation—many of these professionals tend to be in positions that are not only stable but also demonstrate growth within relevant fields. For instance, several have maintained careers in mental health and education, demonstrating a commitment to roles that directly engage with communities and address social issues. However, it's worth noting that a significant number also moved into unrelated fields such as project management or sales, which could be viewed as a divergence from their Sociology roots. While some graduates indeed found successful paths that align with their academic background, others appear to have drifted into roles that may not fully utilize their Sociology degree, which can be a common experience for many graduates across various disciplines. So, while there are success stories, there are also those who may have had less favorable or relevant career trajectories.

How hard is a Sociology degree from Sonoma State University?

Hey there! So, getting a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at Sonoma State University—or really anywhere—can be a mix of fun and challenging. It’s generally not considered one of the hardest degrees out there, especially compared to something like engineering or the sciences. You’ll dive into some interesting topics about society, culture, and human behavior, which can be pretty captivating. The workload can vary, but a lot of it involves reading, writing papers, and participating in discussions, so if you enjoy engaging with ideas and concepts, you'll probably find it manageable. Just be ready for some critical thinking and a fair amount of writing, but overall, it tends to be easier than average, especially if you're passionate about the subject!

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 Sonoma State University tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Sociology grads from Sonoma State University, it seems like their earnings might be a bit hit-or-miss. A lot of them have landed in education, counseling, or administrative roles, which generally don’t pay super high salaries compared to other fields. For example, teachers and counselors usually start off making decent, but not spectacular, money, while positions like project management or anything at Apple seem to pay way better. Those working at tech companies or in specialized roles like human factors engineering probably have a solid income, but others in teaching or entry-level positions might be scraping by a bit more. Overall, it looks like they’re doing okay, but it really varies based on the specific path they took.

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 Sonoma 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