First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University at Albany, SUNY 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 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, Sociology graduates from University at Albany, SUNY have a much lower likelihood (-14%) 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, 39% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University at Albany, SUNY with a Bachelors Degree in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOccupational TherapistSymbria Oct 2016 - Sep 2018 Occupational Therapist Sunny Days Mar 2019 - Present Occupational Therapist Theradynamics Sep 2018 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMasters DegreeSalus University 2014 - 2016 ABOUTNo information provided. |
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 graduates with a Sociology degree from the University at Albany, SUNY, we can see some clear trends in the types of jobs they've landed. A significant portion of these individuals have gone into roles that involve mental health counseling or social work, which are deeply rooted in sociological principles. Positions like Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker, and various case management roles highlight a strong connection to the understanding of societal dynamics and the impact of community support. This suggests that the degree has been particularly useful for those wanting to work directly with people in ways that require empathy, understanding, and knowledge of social systems.
However, many graduates also ventured into roles less connected to sociology, such as sales, administrative positions, or retail jobs. These roles often focus on tasks unrelated to sociological theory or research, suggesting that not every job aligns closely with the skills and knowledge gained from their degree. Some positions may tangentially benefit from a sociology background—like understanding customer behavior—but they primarily emphasize different skill sets. Overall, while many alumni have successfully applied their sociology knowledge in fields that demand it, there is a notable number who ended up in careers where their degree isn’t as relevant, highlighting the diverse paths that sociology graduates can take.
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 University at Albany, SUNY):
It looks like graduates from the University at Albany, SUNY with a degree in Sociology follow pretty diverse career paths after graduation. For many, their first jobs tend to be in support roles, like administrative and entry-level positions, or even sales. A number of grads started their careers in roles that aren't directly related to sociology, such as front desk positions or as customer service reps, which might not seem directly relevant to what they studied. Over time, though, some of these individuals transitioned into roles that align more closely with sociology, like mental health counseling or social work, which allows them to utilize their understanding of social behavior and human interactions.
Five to ten years later, many graduates are continuing in fields that relate more closely to sociology, taking on positions in social services, mental health, and education, or even jumping into roles like diversity and inclusion specialists. Some have found steady careers in administration and support roles, which might not be directly linked to their sociology background but still involve skills they honed during their studies. Overall, while some graduates might initially take jobs that feel unrelated to their degree, many seem to find their way back to fields where their sociology expertise is more applicable as they gain experience and refine their career focus.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University at Albany, SUNY, is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but it still has its challenges. Sociology involves understanding social behavior, patterns, and theories, which means you'll be doing a fair bit of reading, writing papers, and sometimes diving into research. The coursework typically includes a mix of lectures, discussions, and group projects, so you’ll be engaged with your classmates, which can make it more enjoyable. As long as you keep up with the reading and participate in class, you should be able to handle the workload. Overall, it’s a degree that many students find manageable, especially if you have an interest in social issues and enjoy exploring different perspectives.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
Looking at the job histories of these sociology grads from the University at Albany, SUNY, it’s a mixed bag in terms of making decent money. Some of them, especially those who went into fields like Occupational Therapy or Intelligence Analysis, likely pulled in some good salaries, while others, particularly those in social work or entry-level positions, might be earning closer to the lower end of the pay scale. The more traditional, corporate roles, like insurance or financial services, generally are associated with better pay, which makes sense for those who went that route. Overall, while some might be financially thriving, others may be struggling a bit more, proving once again that job satisfaction and pay can really depend on the specific path you take after college.
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 University at Albany, SUNY). 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: