What can you do with a Sociology degree from University of Washington?

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from University of Washington 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 30 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 45%, Sociology graduates from University of Washington have a substantially lower likelihood (-22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 45%
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 30% 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 University of Washington and our analysis:


Relevance score: 43%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Barista
Cafe Con Todo
Oct 2019 - Dec 2019
The position of barista requires no specific skills or knowledge related to a degree in Sociology, focusing instead on beverage preparation and customer service.

Employment Consultant
Atwork
Dec 2020 - Mar 2022
As an Employment Consultant, this job makes use of sociological knowledge about employment trends and societal issues, directly applying the skills learned in a Sociology program.

Patient Care Coordinator
Hope Clinic Vision Therapy
Dec 2021 - Dec 2022
The role of Patient Care Coordinator may involve some understanding of social dynamics and patient backgrounds, but it does not require the core sociological knowledge on a daily basis.

Event Coordinator
Tilted Thunder Rail Birds
Jun 2023 - Present
The Event Coordinator position requires organizational and interpersonal skills that can be informed by sociological insights, but it is not directly tied to the core qualifications of a Sociology degree.

Bartender
The Tin Hat
Oct 2022 - Present
The role of a bartender primarily focuses on customer service and beverage preparation, with no direct relevance to the skills or knowledge acquired from a Sociology degree.

ABOUT

Detail-oriented professional with a background in customer service, project management, and event coordination. Passionate about creating a community around nature and aiming to pursue a career in horticulture and native plant restoration. Skilled in communication, multitasking, and adapting to dynamic environments.

What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from University of Washington?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of Sociology graduates from the University of Washington, we see a diverse array of roles, but the majority seem to stray from direct applications of their degree. A common thread seems to be positions in healthcare, education, and legal fields. Many have taken roles like nursing, teaching, and legal assistance, but interestingly, these jobs often don't require the in-depth sociological knowledge they acquired during their studies. For instance, roles like Registered Nurse or Mathematics Teacher primarily hinge on specialized skills unrelated to sociology, while positions such as Program Administrators or College Completion Coaches occasionally touch on sociological principles but don't use them as a core focus.

On the flip side, there are a few standout positions that do leverage the skills from a sociology background, especially in social justice and community outreach roles like Legal Clerk or Workforce Development. While its great that some graduates find ways to apply their knowledge, too many jobs seem to focus more on administrative tasks or customer service without a strong relevance to sociology. This suggests that while a Sociology degree provides valuable insights into human behavior and social systems, its direct application in the job market may not be as prevalent as one might expect. So, if you're considering this major, it’s worth thinking about how you can pair it with other skills or training to make your career more aligned with your academic background.

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 Washington):

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

When we take a look at Sociology graduates from the University of Washington, it seems like their career paths vary quite a bit, especially in the first few years after graduation. Many of them started in jobs that aren't directly related to their degree, like nannying, customer service, teaching, and even working in coffee shops. For example, graduates from 2011 to 2014 ended up in roles such as baristas, office managers, and even math teachers, showing that some took a more practical route initially, perhaps to pay the bills while figuring out their long-term career goals. Five years down the line, we see a mix of outcomes: while some have transitioned into more specialized fields such as healthcare, law, or education administration, others seem to have stuck with similar types of roles, often without making a clear connection back to their Sociology studies.

By the ten-year mark, the trajectories appear to solidify a bit more, with several graduates finding themselves in respectable roles such as program coordinators, managers, or even therapists. However, it's notable that some still occupy positions that feel disconnected from their sociology roots. There are also folks who've chosen to climb the corporate ladder in companies like Nike and Starbucks, which—while they may not scream 'Sociology!'—still utilize skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving that those undergrad years instilled in them. Overall, there’s a mix: some totally nailed it and aligned their careers with their sociology background, while others meandered through different workspaces, finding what suited them in unexpected ways. It shows that while Sociology sets a solid foundation for understanding society and behavior, the career paths are quite wide-ranging!

How hard is a Sociology degree from University of Washington?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at the University of Washington can be pretty manageable, especially if you're interested in the subject. Sociology involves understanding social behavior, institutions, and how people interact, which can be fascinating if you enjoy thinking about society and cultural issues. The coursework typically includes a mix of lectures, readings, and research projects, but it’s not usually super heavy on exams like some STEM degrees. So, if you stay organized and engage with the material, you might find it easier than some other majors. Of course, everyone’s experience can vary, but overall, Sociology is often seen as on the lighter side compared to more technical fields.

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 University of Washington tend to make good money?

When looking at the job histories of these Sociology graduates from the University of Washington, it seems like some have landed pretty decent gigs while others are still finding their footing in the job market. For example, graduates who moved into healthcare (like the RN at the VA Medical Center) or law-related roles tend to have more stable and potentially higher-paying jobs. On the flip side, those who started as teaching fellows or have been in roles like baristas or administrative assistants might not be pulling in as much money, especially early on. Overall, it’s a mixed bag: some are on solid financial paths while others might have a bit of a struggle ahead, but hey, that’s pretty normal after university!

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 Washington). 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