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

First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from Western Washington University 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Sociology graduates from Western Washington University have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, only 18% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Sociology degree from Western Washington University?
• What do Sociology graduates from Western Washington University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Sociology degree from Western Washington University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Sociology degree from Western Washington University?
• What are the best colleges for Sociology?

View a random Sociology graduate from Western Washington University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 11% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2017 from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Research Assistant Western Washington University Mar 2017 - Jun 2017 While the role of a Research Assistant may use some sociological concepts or skills, it primarily requires research methodology that is not exclusively tied to sociology. Unit Head B'nai B'rith Camp Jun 2017 - Aug 2017 The position as Unit Head at B'nai B'rith Camp may involve understanding social dynamics and group behavior, which relates somewhat to sociology, but is not directly rooted in sociological theory or practice. Life Skills Coach Youth Progress Association Dec 2017 - Oct 2018 As a Life Skills Coach, the role directly applies knowledge of social behaviors and structures to assist youth, making it highly relevant to the field of sociology. Rehab aide-Pediatrics Providence Health & Services Feb 2019 - Jul 2020 The role of Rehab Aide in Pediatrics does not require any specific sociological skills or knowledge, as it is primarily focused on assisting healthcare professionals in a clinical setting. Occupational Therapy Intern Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA) Aug 2022 - Nov 2022 The Occupational Therapy Intern position requires specific training in occupational therapy, with little application of sociological theory or concepts. Occupational Therapy Intern Mayo Clinic Jan 2023 - Mar 2023 As an Occupational Therapy Intern at Mayo Clinic, the emphasis is on occupational therapy skills rather than sociological knowledge, making it not directly relevant. Occupational Therapy Intern OHSU Doernbecher Childrens Hospital Apr 2023 - Jul 2023 The Occupational Therapy Intern position at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital focuses on therapy practices rather than any sociological competencies, thus having no relevance. Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic Intern Pacific University Sep 2021 - Dec 2021 The role as Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic Intern is centered around clinical practice in a healthcare setting, requiring skills outside the scope of sociology. Pre-OT Representative Pacific University Oct 2020 - Mar 2022 The Pre-OT Representative position is more related to occupational therapy and requires knowledge outside the purview of sociology. Occupational Therapy Student Pacific University Aug 2020 - Aug 2023 As an Occupational Therapy Student, the focus is on therapy-related knowledge and practices, not on sociological theory or application. Occupational Therapist Oregon Health & Science University Oct 2023 - Present The position of Occupational Therapist at Oregon Health & Science University is primarily concerned with therapy techniques and strategies rather than sociological principles, making it irrelevant to the sociology degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Clinical Doctorate Pacific University 2020 - 2023 ABOUT I am an occupational therapist recently graduated from Pacific University with my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree. I am an experienced young professional with the ability to collaborate well with others. I have clinical experience in community mental health, adult acute care, and pediatric acute and outpatient care. I hold skills in research, Microsoft Office, trauma-informed care, customer service, and program development. I have a strong work ethic with a desire to implement positive change in communities.

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

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

• Occupational Therapy Intern
• Research Assistant
• AB
• Chief Mate
• Unit Head
• Life Skills Coach
• Rehab aide-Pediatrics
• Interprofessional Diabetes Clinic Intern
• Pre-OT Representative
• Occupational Therapy Student

The job landscape for Sociology graduates from Western Washington University shows a mixed bag of roles, with a noticeable trend toward positions in legal, educational, and social services. Graduates often find themselves working as Legal Assistants or in various capacities within non-profit organizations that directly address social issues, such as Housing Case Managers or Youth Counselors. These positions tend to align more closely with their sociology education, allowing them to apply sociological principles when dealing with community dynamics, poverty, and legal rights. In particular, jobs that involve direct service, like Family Case Managers or Directors of Housing Programs, leverage the understanding of social systems that sociology emphasizes, thus maintaining relevance to their degree.

On the flip side, many graduates end up in roles that don’t require their sociology training. Jobs in fields like customer service, sales, or teaching English may benefit from general interpersonal skills, but they often do not tap into the sociological knowledge that students dedicate years to studying. Positions as Operations Managers or Claims Adjusters, while they may demand some understanding of social interactions, primarily focus on practical skills outside of sociology. Overall, while there are definitely relevant roles that sociology graduates secure, a significant number find themselves in jobs where their degree plays a limited role in their day-to-day responsibilities. This suggests a bit of a disconnect between the degree and certain career paths, which can come as a surprise to those hoping to apply their sociological insights directly 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 Western Washington University):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from Western Washington University with a degree in Sociology, it seems like they have had a pretty diverse range of trajectories! Right out of school, many of them landed jobs that seem somewhat related to their field of study, like legal positions for those who pursued law or roles in support services that deal directly with people. For instance, a couple of graduates went into legal assistance and civil rights roles, which totally tie back to sociology. Others have found their way into more corporate sectors, like operations management or banking, which may not seem directly related but can still leverage skills like critical thinking and understanding social dynamics.

As time goes on, it appears that many of these graduates have been able to move into managerial or specialized roles, particularly in sectors like housing services, youth programs, and even marketing. However, there are also quite a few who have drifted into jobs that seem quite removed from sociology, such as bartending or customer service. This suggests a mixed bag when it comes to job satisfaction and relevance to their studies. Overall, while some are thriving in meaningful careers that contribute to society, there also seems to be a fair number who have ended up in roles that, while stable, don’t fully utilize their sociology background. It's a bit of a toss-up, but there's definitely potential for positive outcomes if they leverage their sociology skills effectively!

How hard is a Sociology degree from Western Washington University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Western Washington University isn’t overly hard, but like any college program, it definitely requires effort and engagement. You’ll study a lot about human behavior, society, and social issues, which can be really interesting, but some classes might challenge you to think critically and analyze complex ideas. If you're good at writing papers and enjoying group discussions, you’ll probably find it easier than some other degrees that are heavy on math or science. Overall, it strikes a balance—considered manageable for most students, but you'll still want to put in the time to keep up with readings and assignments to get the most out of it!

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 Western Washington University tend to make good money?

Looking at the paths of these Sociology grads from Western Washington University, it seems like they've had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have landed solid roles, especially those who went into legal fields or banking, where positions like Legal Counsel or Senior Banker could pay pretty well. Others, particularly those in education or entry-level positions, might not be raking in the cash just yet. Jobs like a bartender or customer service roles don’t usually offer big salaries either. So, while a few are likely doing alright, many are probably still working their way up the ladder to find those higher-paying gigs. It's a reminder that persistence and a little bit of luck can really pay off!

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 Western Washington University). 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