What can you do with a Sociology degree from University of California, Berkeley?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University of California, Berkeley 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 33 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Sociology graduates from University of California, Berkeley have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
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, 48% 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 University of California, Berkeley and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Track Trainer
Track Training LIfe
May 2022 - Present
The role of Track Trainer at Track Training Life does not require knowledge or skills from a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, as it primarily focuses on training and fitness rather than sociological principles.

ABOUT

Mint MomentMy current photography/videography company. I am currently updating the websites to showcase my work and to make prints available for purchaseBirch Tree Family Day CareI volunteered at Birch Tree from middle school through the end of high school. I aided with the kids lunch, homework, nap and playtimes. I was responsible for keeping the children with the group on field trips. Working with kids from infant to teen constantly has helped my social and work place skills immensely. They require so much attention, patience, discipline, and problem solving. I found that what I learned there carried over into my adult life. The people skills were highly applicable especially in workplace scenarios. Perfect Edge Cutlery Knife ShopI recently filmed and created a video for this knife shop located in the Bay Area. I am currently still taking product photos for them for both their EDC and culinary instagrams. Currently, they are working on a new website from a company they acquired where I am taking the product photos.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from University of California, Berkeley?

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


From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of California, Berkeley with a Sociology degree, it's clear that many have found themselves in a variety of job roles, both related and unrelated to their field of study. A lot of graduates ended up in positions, like sales operations, administrative roles, or marketing, that don't really tap into sociological principles. For instance, roles in major companies like Samsung and Google are focused mainly on sales strategies or marketing campaigns, showcasing a departure from the sociological focus on social behavior and structures. Even in educational settings, many of the roles such as teaching or administrative positions often hover around organizational tasks without diving deeply into sociological concepts, which seems surprising given the rich academic background these graduates possess.

That said, there are definitely standout roles where the graduates applied their sociology expertise effectively. Positions in social work, community outreach, and advocacy for social justice align deeply with the core tenets of sociology. For example, roles like a Social Worker or a Campaign Manager in community organizations are right at home for someone with a sociology background, allowing them to leverage their understanding of social structures and human behavior. Overall, while there’s a notable overlap with some career paths, many graduates have ventured into fields where their sociology degree isn't as directly relevant, which highlights a trend of applying their skills in broader, sometimes unexpected ways in the workforce.

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 of California, Berkeley):

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

Looking at the career paths of sociology graduates from UC Berkeley, it's clear that many of them have taken a diverse route after finishing their degree. Right after graduation, a significant number typically find entry-level positions in sales, marketing, human resources, and education, often in administrative or supportive roles. This might not seem directly related to sociology at first glance, but those early jobs can help develop crucial skills like communication, analysis, and understanding of human behavior, which are central to sociology. As time goes on, we see many graduates moving into more specialized roles, particularly in fields like law, social work, education, and research, which are indeed relevant to their background in sociology. For instance, some graduates have transitioned into positions as attorneys or social workers, showcasing a solid connection between their studies and their careers.

However, not every graduate sticks to a trajectory that aligns closely with sociology. A fair number of them wind up in marketing or business development roles, which, while they may leverage skills gained from their sociology studies, don't necessarily dive deep into the core sociological concepts and theories. Over five to ten years after graduation, many graduates maintain a blend of roles that reflect their interests—some remain in the corporate sector, while others take on meaningful positions in non-profits, education, and health care. Overall, it appears that sociology degrees from UC Berkeley open doors to a variety of pathways, and while some graduates find themselves in jobs directly related to their field, others diversify into different industries, which isn't a bad thing either! It reflects a versatile education that can be applied in multiple contexts.

How hard is a Sociology degree from University of California, Berkeley?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UC Berkeley can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. Sociology dives deep into understanding societies, behaviors, and social patterns, which means you'll be reading a lot, writing essays, and analyzing data. While some students find the subject matter fascinating and engaging, making it easier for them, others might struggle with the critical thinking and analytical skills required. Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty compared to other majors. If you're passionate about the topics you'll study, you'll likely find it more enjoyable and less daunting!

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 University of California, Berkeley tend to make good money?

Looking at these Sociology grads from UC Berkeley, it seems like they're generally doing pretty well, but it really varies. The first grad has climbed the ranks at Samsung Electronics, which likely pays well, while another one's bounced around a lot more in admin roles, which typically don’t pay as much. The legal fields, like the ones with the attorney roles, often come with higher salaries, especially after getting some experience under their belt. On the flip side, those who landed roles in education or social work might not be making significant bank since those fields can be lower-paying. Overall, it looks like a mixed bag—some are definitely making decent money, while others are in positions that might not be as financially rewarding, but they’re probably fulfilling in other ways!

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 University of California, Berkeley). 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