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:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
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:
Relevance score: 43%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBaristaCafe Con Todo Oct 2019 - Dec 2019 Employment Consultant Atwork Dec 2020 - Mar 2022 Patient Care Coordinator Hope Clinic Vision Therapy Dec 2021 - Dec 2022 Event Coordinator Tilted Thunder Rail Birds Jun 2023 - Present Bartender The Tin Hat Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTDetail-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. |
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):
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!
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.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
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!
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:
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: