First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University of Oregon 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Sociology graduates from University of Oregon have a much lower likelihood (-18%) 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, only 22% 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:
Relevance score: 81%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTeaching ProfessionalAshbrook Independent School Aug 2012 - Jul 2015 Assistant Principal Ashbrook Independent School Aug 2015 - Aug 2018 Academic Administrator K12 Aug 2018 - Jul 2019 CRE Program Manager Stride, Inc. Aug 2019 - Jun 2023 CTE Program Manager Cyber Academy of South Carolina Aug 2019 - Dec 2023 CCR Program Manager Heron Virtual Academy of South Carolina Aug 2023 - May 2024 Founder Graphite ACS Feb 2013 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - MEdUniversity of Oregon 2010 - 2011 Master of Education Administration - MA Concordia University Chicago 2015 - 2016 ABOUT[NAME REMOVED] Webber M.Ed. - Academic Administrator Honored to serve in Education for over two decades.Creating and Curating Access Points, Opportunities, and Experiences for learning with a broad range of specializations and future focused interests...Elementary to Middle School to High School and Post Graduate - Teaching & Professional Development Instructor Experience that spans across various ages, academic aptitudes, and content curricula: ELE (2nd-5th) Classroom Teaching:All Subjects: Math, Science, Writing, ELA, SS, Tech, Art MS (6th-8th) Specialized in STEM/STEAM Electives:Computer Technology, 3D-Design & Print, MS Office HS (9th-12th) College and Career Readiness: Curriculum Dev, Interview & Resume, Live Events Wildland (wildfire) Instructor and Crew Leader: Certified Course Instructor & Experienced Engine Boss, Crew Boss, FFT1; Training Facilitator & Course DevI believeBuilding strong relationships through empathy and understanding sets the foundation of effective interpersonal communicationAnd ultimately opens the door to authentic interactions and a meaningful information exchange. Website Building, Newsletter & Blog, Instructional Design, Curriculum Development and Dynamic Learning Matrices & Content Ecosystems Creation. Intersectional Innovation and Growth Modalities are the core principles for me in new skills acquisition. Networking & Relationship Development continue to drive my interest in Marketing Strategy & Partnerships. As a growth enthusiast, I am committed to coaching & collaborating 1:1 and in teams to facilitate ideation, reflective thinking, and optimized communication in order to produce desired outcomes.Asking better questionsAnd listening with the intention to create meaningful connections, ensuring that school trajectory exceeds outcomes while maintaining a student-centered approach.I am engaged in proactive program building through collaborative and collegial relationships between schools and businesses (S2B) across the state of South Carolina.My objective is to empower learners and leaders to embrace their unique gifts, amplify their potential, and expand their access and awareness to emerging opportunities, from local to global. Let's Connect. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing the careers of University of Oregon sociology graduates, it seems they often end up in a variety of roles that, while they sometimes utilize general skills from their education, aren’t always directly linked to core sociological principles. Many have taken on positions like sales associates, customer support specialists, and management trainees, which mainly revolve around customer service, sales, and basic organizational tasks. These jobs might call for interpersonal communication and a basic understanding of human behavior, but they generally don’t require the deeper sociological insights that a degree would provide.
On the flip side, there are also a number of graduates who have landed roles that are much more related to their sociology background. Teaching professionals, social workers, and program managers in educational or community settings demonstrate a clear application of sociological concepts, particularly in understanding social dynamics and advocating for marginalized groups. Overall, while many sociology grads do find jobs that let them use some of the soft skills they've learned, the more specialized, sociologically relevant roles seem to emerge primarily in education, social services, and community engagement. So, while there's a mix, the connection to sociology in many of these job roles appears to be quite loose and often secondary to other skill sets.
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 Oregon):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Oregon with a degree in Sociology, it seems like their paths can vary quite a bit. Right after graduation, it's common for many of them to take on roles that are not directly related to Sociology. For example, several alumni started off in customer service, sales, or administrative positions, which might not fully utilize their sociology training. While some of these first jobs might seem a bit disconnected from their academic background, they often help graduates develop valuable skills in communication and problem-solving, which can be useful later on.
As we look five to ten years out, the picture becomes clearer in terms of more relevant career roles. Many graduates eventually find their way into management or educational positions, reflecting a gradual shift toward careers that align more closely with their Sociology degrees. Roles in social work, education, and program management pop up more frequently, suggesting these graduates are leveraging their understanding of societal structures and human behavior. However, there are still a good number of alumni who have settled into careers that are more tangentially related to Sociology, indicating that while some have successfully transitioned into relevant fields, others may still be exploring different opportunities or simply prioritizing job stability over direct application of their degree. Overall, the journey from graduation to later career stages shows a mix of exploration and eventual alignment with their sociology skills and knowledge, but it also highlights the challenge of finding roles that directly correlate with their studies immediately after graduation.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Oregon is about average in terms of difficulty compared to other degrees. You’ll find that it involves a mix of reading, writing, and some critical thinking, but it’s not usually considered super tough. There are definitely challenging classes, especially if you dive into research methods or statistics, but generally, if you stay organized and keep up with the readings and assignments, you should be just fine. If you’re naturally curious about people and society, you'll probably enjoy the subjects you study. Overall, it’s a solid mix of work without being overwhelmingly hard.
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 paths for these Sociology grads from the University of Oregon, it seems like they're mostly getting by, but not exactly rolling in dough. Many of them started in entry-level or part-time roles, like sales associates or cashiers, which typically don’t pay a lot. As they moved into more specialized positions, some did manage to climb up to roles like program managers, but even those jobs can vary widely in salary. A couple of grads seem to have hit the jackpot with roles in big companies or management positions, which likely pay better, but overall, it feels like a mix of decent, modest salaries rather than anything eye-popping. So, if you're dreaming about a six-figure salary right out of college, you've got some serious grinding to do!
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 Oregon). 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: